Mood and Cognitive Changes from Smoked Cannabis

Introduction

As cannabis becomes more legal around the world, many people are curious about how smoking it affects mood and brain function. With millions of users worldwide, it’s important to understand how cannabis impacts memory, focus, and emotions.

This article looks at how smoking cannabis can change mood and thinking abilities, both right after use and later on. We’ll explore how things like THC levels, personal differences, and cannabis strains affect these outcomes. Based on recent research, we aim to share a balanced look at how cannabis affects the brain and mood—important information for health, policy-making, and personal choices. Whether you’re a recreational user, medical patient, or just interested, this article will give you practical insights to help you make informed decisions about cannabis.

Background on Cannabis Use and Its Active Compounds

Cannabis has over 100 active compounds called cannabinoids. The most well-known are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps maintain balance in many body functions.

THC affects mood, memory, and focus, and is what makes people feel “high.” CBD, on the other hand, is more known for its potential health benefits without causing a high. Smoking cannabis quickly delivers THC to the brain.

Different cannabis strains have different THC and CBD levels, which leads to different effects. Other ways to consume cannabis, like vaping or edibles, also change how it affects the body.

Inhalation -> Alveoli in Lungs -> Bloodstream -> Crosses Blood-Brain Barrier -> Brain: Binding to CB1 Receptors

Explanation of the Pathway

• Inhalation: When cannabis is smoked or vaporized, THC enters the body through the lungs.
• Alveoli in Lungs: The alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs. THC is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream from these structures.
• Bloodstream: Once in the bloodstream, THC circulates throughout the body, reaching various organs, including the brain.
• Crosses Blood-Brain Barrier: THC is lipid-soluble, allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively, which protects the brain from harmful substances while permitting certain molecules like THC to enter.
• Binding to CB1 Receptors: In the brain, THC primarily binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB1), part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), leading to various psychoactive effects.

Acute Effects on Mood Following Smoked Cannabis

Smoking cannabis can quickly change your mood, often within minutes. Many users feel happier, more excited, and more social after use. These effects are strongest about an hour later, as shown by mood tests like the Profile of Mood States (POMS) (see study: ScienceDirect).

Cannabis can also reduce feelings of tiredness, anxiety, or stress, but these effects depend a lot on how much THC is in the strain. High-THC cannabis can cause stronger mood changes and might even lead to anxiety or paranoia, especially in new users.

Everyone responds differently to cannabis. Regular users may not feel the effects as strongly as people who use it less often. The terpene profile of the strain also affects how it changes mood.

Cannabis use can affect emotional control, making positive and negative feelings stronger.

Residual Effects on Mood

The effects of smoked cannabis on mood can last for 24 to 48 hours after use. During this time, users often feel more sociable and in a good mood, especially with high-THC strains. These positive feelings slowly fade over time.

While these leftover effects usually disappear without causing major issues, some users might feel tired or irritable as the positive feelings wear off. Cannabis can also affect sleep, which might change mood the next day.

The lasting effects vary depending on tolerance, usage frequency, and THC levels. Regular users may have fewer lingering effects than occasional users.

Acute Cognitive Effects of Smoked Cannabis

Smoking cannabis can affect how you think, especially in the short term. It can make it harder to remember things, as shown by lower scores on memory tests like the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) (see study: ScienceDirect). Cannabis can also affect focus and reaction time, making people slower on tasks like the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).

The level of impairment depends on factors like how often a person uses cannabis and their tolerance. Occasional users often have more noticeable effects, while regular users may develop some tolerance. THC levels in the strain also play a big role in how much thinking abilities are affected.

Understanding these short-term impacts is important for activities that require focus and quick responses.

Residual Cognitive Effects After Cannabis Use

After the initial effects subside, some cognitive impacts may linger for a short period.

The lasting effects of smoked cannabis on thinking are usually mild and go away within 24 to 48 hours. Most users don’t have major long-term cognitive issues after this time. Some studies show that small effects on memory, focus, and motor skills may last briefly but are usually not severe (see studies: ScienceDirect, Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Frontiers in Psychology, Wiley Online Library). Interestingly, some tests like the DSST show improvements 48 hours later, possibly due to a rebound effect.

The intensity of these effects depends on THC levels, tolerance, and how often cannabis is used. Occasional users may feel more lasting effects compared to regular users who have built up some tolerance.

These findings are important for understanding how cannabis can affect day-to-day activities and overall brain health.

Mood and Cognitive Performance in Long-Term Cannabis Users

Using cannabis over a long time, especially in large amounts, can have big impacts on mood and thinking. For example, a study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that regular cannabis use can lower IQ and affect learning and memory.

Heavy users may also have trouble with tasks that require planning or decision-making. Long-term use can increase the risk of anxiety or depression, particularly with high-THC strains. CBD might help protect against some negative effects.

Not everyone is affected the same way. Tolerance, genetics, and age when starting cannabis all influence the impact. While some effects may be reversible if use stops, the recovery time can vary.

Mixing cannabis with other substances, like alcohol, can make cognitive issues worse.

                          [Genetics]
                             /    \
                            /      \
                           /        \
                          /          \
                     [Age]          [Sex]
                          \          /
                           \        /
                            \      /
                          [Mental Health]
                             /    \
                            /      \
                           /        \
                          /          \
                     [Dosage]      [Consumption Method]
                          \          /
                           \        /
                            \      /
                        [Environment]
                             |
                        [Social Factors]