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.

  • rhymeswithduck@sh.itjust.works
    142·
    19 days ago

    How does the brain adapt to living without it? Very easily. As a heavy user, it takes about 48 hours to get through the “withdrawal symptoms” of being less hungry after stopping. Then it’s fine. Completely unlike opioids, which there is almost no way to change your brain back after you get addicted to those. It’s crazy they would even compare these two substances. And what about antidepressants? Those change your brain in crazy lasting ways that doctors don’t even fully understand, and you certainly can’t quit those cold turkey.

    • ephrin@sh.itjust.works
      7·
      19 days ago

      I (and many many others, take a look at /r/leaves for more examples) had a significantly harder time stopping, and my withdrawal symptoms lasted for weeks. Don’t downplay it just because you didn’t notice it yourself.