Using cannabis daily reshapes the brain's normal operating state, which persists beyond intoxication and biases the person to continue to use. The brain adapts to what it's given.

I’ve heard countless times that “Cannabis doesn’t really get me high anymore. I just use it to feel normal.” For years, I thought the answer was straightforward: tolerance to the drug. That’s also true—but it is an incomplete answer.

A fascinating new study by Katharina Lege and colleagues at Maastricht University will be published on July 15th. It suggests something else may be happening. Tolerance does not mean the brain has recovered. It means the brain has adapted to cannabis.

  • JadenSmith@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    28·
    20 days ago

    This is an interesting study, and I wonder how this relates to a recent study on children with autism having lower anandamide levels.

    I have struggled alone, for many years, with the hurdles of Autism yet my appeal to cannabis in the initial years was to have a feeling of normality - right from the start I didn’t really feel ‘high’ in the same way others describe, and I wonder if this was an effect of my endocannabinoid levels being ‘topped up’ by the THC I introduced.

    I have gone without cannabis for long enough to go back to baseline, as the article suggests, however after a certain point all of my autistic hurdles come back and I find myself with more issues in regards to various aspects of daily life, from conversation to even concentration.

    However when a considerable amount is provided, I get the high and stone I do enjoy.

    I hope this study encourages further research into how cannabis affects us as adults.

    • Wren@lemmy.todayOPMEnglish
      5·
      20 days ago

      Thanks for the insight, I didn’t know about the anandamide level thing before.

      Do you still use it regularly, and is it more of a crutch or more of a medication for you?

      • JadenSmith@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        9·
        20 days ago

        I use it daily, however it prevents my mind from tripping over itself. Accomplished a good amount on cannabis, academically as well (History in uni here in London, also volunteered for the Imperial War Museum during my time there whilst juggling everything else). All whilst consuming cannabis daily.

        I will admit it’s difficult to find people to hang with, during what is my casual use during the day. Not many people are keen to discuss Nietzsche or play chess whilst they consume, unfortunately.
        I admire Amsterdam though. Some coffeeshops have chess and other board games, and there are a good few people like me - though in my experience it’s a low percentage overall.