The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body | Huberman Lab Podcast #92

In this episode, I discuss cannabis (aka marijuana), including the biological mechanisms underlying its effects on the mind and body, its known medical applications, its impact on libido, creativity, hunger, hormones and more. I also cover the known adverse health consequences of chronic and even acute (one-time) use and the factors that determine if cannabis is helpful or harmful. Additionally, I detail how the various strains of cannabis: sativa, indica and hybrid strains, can produce such divergent effects depending on the strain type, THC-to-CBD ratio, total dosage, and frequency of use. I review why cannabis can impact speech patterns and one’s propensity to develop anxiety/depression during and after use and, in some individuals, paranoia. As the legal landscape for cannabis is rapidly evolving, this episode should interest a wide audience, including former/current cannabis users, those in the medical, sports, law enforcement, and educational communities and, of course, children, teenagers, and parents.

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Timestamps
00:00:00 Cannabis (Marijuana)
00:04:46 New Huberman Lab Premium Membership
00:07:03 Tool: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), Sleep & Anxiety
00:10:08 Levels, Thesis, InsideTracker
00:14:01 Momentous Supplements
00:15:08 Cannabis Strains, Psychoactive Compounds: THC & CBD
00:19:34 Sativa vs. Indica, Stimulant vs. Relaxation Effects
00:25:55 Hybrid Cannabis Strains, Type 1, 2 & 3 Strains
00:30:41 AG1 (Athletic Greens)
00:31:56 Naturally Occurring Receptors: Nicotinic & Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1)
00:40:35 THC, CBD vs. Endogenous Cannabinoids, Dependence
00:43:14 Endogenous Cannabinoids, Cannabinoid Receptors & Nervous System Function
00:53:07 Biological Effects of Cannabis
00:56:29 Cannabis Sativa & Subjective Effects: Mood, Stress, Alertness, Paranoia
01:04:58 Cannabis Indica & Subjective Effects, Memory, Dosage
01:09:41 Brain Areas Affected by THC & CBD, Side Effects
01:16:08 Creativity: Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking & Dopamine
01:26:41 Does Cannabis Increase Creativity?
01:35:08 Chronic Cannabis Use & Changes in Speech Patterns
01:46:46 Cannabis & Libido, Dopamine & Prolactin
01:56:55 Cannabis & Hormones: Prolactin, Testosterone, Estrogen & Fertility
02:06:53 Smoking/Vaping Tobacco or Cannabis & Negative Health Consequences
02:10:06 Avoiding Cannabis During Pregnancy/Breastfeeding, Fetal Neural Development
02:18:13 Negative Health Consequences of Cannabis, Anxiety & Depression, Tolerance
02:25:57 Cannabis Use & Adolescence/Young Adulthood, Predisposition to Psychosis
02:34:36 Adolescent Cannabis Use: Brain Development & Mental Health Disorders
02:41:44 Cannabis & Pain Management, Divergent Effects of Cannabis
02:44:54 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Premium Channel, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

[eriks]

Chronically used cannabis from age 14 to 23. At 30, it’s clear putting it down was one of the best decisions of my life. I finally realized I just didn’t enjoy it. I’d smoke and constantly think, “I’ve got to quit, I’ve got to quit.” If you’re feeling that way, listen to that voice. Somehow it knows who you really want to be.

[nicolejackson]

I’ve been hoping for this episode. I’m a daily user who has been in denial that it has made my anxiety worse. My partner and my therapist have been gently trying to tell me but I haven’t wanted to listen because of the positive effects. I’m already four weeks without alcohol after listening to the alcohol episode, this is my next step. Thank you so much Dr. Huberman.

[lukej]

Been using cannabis (smoking, baking, edibles, you name it) for nearly a decade. Last four years have been trying and failing repeatedly to get it under control. I’ve done 30 days off successfully twice (another time that didn’t hold). The last two years focused more on tapering with mixed results. This podcast made me decide to take a full 90 days off, and then reassess whether it can occupy a small, moderated place in my life or if I should indefinitely withhold. Based on this and Anna Lembke’s book, 30 days is about when dopamine circuits are resetting. By going 90 days my hope is I can get a full two months of “normal”, or as close to it as I can get. Unfortunately I started at 19, so I may have permanently effected my endocannabinoid system. Weed has been both a blessing and a curse, but the longer I’ve used it, the more dependent I’ve become. It really has negatively affected my life and relationships and it’s time to end this. Can’t help but wonder how much more I might have accomplished in the last decade had I never touched it, but can’t change the past. Focusing on moving forward and improving my life. I’ve taken Huberman’s advice countless times with great results, and this time I’m serious about beating this addiction. 3 days in, wish me luck everyone. Thanks Professor Huberman for having such a positive impact on my life!!

[DoctorX]

Just wanted to come back and say that this episode, the week it came out, helped me quit daily cannabis use and take my life back. I am over 400 days THC-free and feel like I took my life back. Thank you Dr. Huberman for changing my life.

[jopo]

Not to be blunt, but Andrew weeds out useless information and rolls out another dope podcast by himself. It's not even a joint effort.

[APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[kyraroseriley]

I’ve been 9 months sober from all THC since the day this podcast came out ❤ have never been more creative, motivated and focused on my life. Thank you Dr. Huberman !

[EminemBiggy]

I smoked from age 17-26, and I quit a month ago as of today. During those years, my speech got worse, I become more anxious and depressed, I lost my passion and determination for medicine, i had no focus, my social life slowly decreased, and I was completely dependent on it to sleep, eat, and feel ok. Since quitting, while the withdrawals were hard, virtually everything in my life got better, I got back into my career, I’m building healthier relationships, and I’m not a slave to a drug that used to dictate my whole life. This video is the wake up call we all needed. Thank you, Dr. Huberman! You are making the world a better place.

[tjvroom]

This video may very well be my wake up call to stop smoking. I've been a chronic user( everyday multiple times per day) since I was 15 and now I'm about to turn 21. I've watched this video the past 3 days straight, the longest I've been without cannabis for years. It's not much yet, and it hasn't been enjoyable, but I do believe it is fully worth it. Thank you Dr. Huberman for all you have done.

[TheGrumba]

I've been an artist and a songwriter for longer than a decade, and when I first discovered weed at around 19 it was world changing how easy it was to write a song. I would get totally dialed in and finish a really great song in one night. That initial experience gave me a really skewed sense of what was actually happening and set me on the path of dependence and bad side effects. Now, older and more intune with my body and my mental states, I realize what was actually happening was that it made the state of creativity feel more rewarding and thereby giving me more motivation to engage with that state more often. There is more going on than just that, but that was a huge thing for me to realize. Yes, it did narrow my focus into what I was engaging in more easily and more quickly, but that state can be entered into without cannabis, it just has to be learned differently and approached with a bit more intention and effort. Thats my anecdotal experience and some internal observations. Great episode. So glad we are all finally getting some quality in depth research on a plant that has been believed to be completely evil or completely good. Of course the truth lies somewhere between those two extremes.

[joseduarte]

Decided to participate in sober October. No alcohol, cannabis and no pornography. And Dr. Huberman comes out with this gem. I may be able to quit cannabis finally by understanding how it works. Thank you Dr. Huberman.

[antoniomata]

I listen to the alcohol episode and had stopped drinking a month before I listened to it and was glad I stopped. Last night was my last day of smoking cannabis. This podcast has improved my health and sense of self so much. Thank you Andrew. I don't know if you'll read this but thank you so much.

[haydenpalmer]

It’s like he knows which definitions I’m going to forget and reiterates them exactly when I need him to. This guy is a genius on all levels I swear

[sevenspineiii]

I never use cannabis until I was 38. It actually brought me down to a normal level. I was always pushing myself and it made me appreciate this more simple things in life and to be more loving and caring.

[fastwhips]

I smoked from 18-27 and I can say it was a fun ride in the beginning but it put be back a lot, it just made me comfortable. But to achieve my goals financially and spiritually I had to quit. Six months clean now and I’ve never felt better. Full of energy and motivation god bless

[StateofKait]

Cannabis changed my LIFE. It helps manage my chronic illness pain and insomnia, and my doctors have applauded me for my use of both CBD and THC. To each their own.

[iwaslikeameliooo]

I quit marijuana at the start of the summer after being a daily user. I was having extreme anxiety and felt I was possibly borderline personality disorder. I saw a psychiatrist and she said she sees quite a few patients who present as having mental disorders and when they quit, they no longer do. I quit cold turkey a few days later and after that cancelled all future appointments with her, due to just simply not needing them. It’s make a remarkable positive difference on my mental health and I feel like a new person for the better. There needs to be more awareness about marijuana not being a one size fits all miracle drug.

[melissachinnici]

I smoked literally every day for 13 years until 6 months ago when I quit entirely. Just stopped having the positive effects it used to, like the creativity aspect. I would even venture to say it helped regulate my disordered eating habits from a long-term ED. However, it made me more paranoid and anxious over time, like you said. Sometimes, I think I miss it, but all it was for me was a coping mechanism and way of numbing out. A lot of the studies cited are applicable to my own experience. Low libido, slow speech pattern, and awful short-term memory... which piles on after a while. It is nice being in the present moment, having better active listening skills, and the ability to retain information more clearly.

[aw]

Dr. Huberman,

I'm back to rewatch this episode and listen without denial in my mind, and sober. I've been a chronic user for 21 years and have come to terms with the fact that this habitual use has had a negative impact on my life in multiple ways for far too long. I appreciate you for the plethora of information on your channel, and I want to say that it is helping me and others to improve their lives beyond what they would otherwise be able to do without this information.

Thank you.

[BLAKEx]

I started smoking when i was 16 and it became something that me and my friends did constantly, I realized that i didn’t actually like it by the time i was like 18-19. I started having insane panic attacks from it which made me quit. From that point on i never really felt the same, kind of like de-personalization. Struggled with severe anxiety and depression until i was 26 and I had a week of psychosis that took me a little over a year to get over with. meditation and exercise saved my life, i feel great now at 28.