Did Cheech & Chong Have It All Figured Out?

What’s going on with the ganja?

As of this year, recreational marijuana is now legal in 25 states plus Washington, D.C., which is a big jump from a few years ago. Back in 2019, only 10 states had made it legal, and if you look back to 2014, just two states—Colorado and Washington—had taken that step. This shows how quickly attitudes and laws around marijuana have changed in a relatively short time.

In 2022, marijuana use among adults age 35 to 50 hit a record high, with 28% reporting use in the past year. This is up from 25% in 2021 and 17% back in 2017, showing a clear trend of increasing marijuana use in this age group over the last decade.

I know many mid-lifers experimenting with marijuana for everything from aiding in sleep to enhancing relaxation. Let’s dive in to this topic to figure out what the benefits and drawbacks of this widely used drug really are.

What is cannabis?

Cannabis is a plant family that includes sativa, indica, and ruderalis. It’s not just used for its psychoactive effects (the "high" people talk about) but also for medical purposes, like reducing inflammation.

There are two main strains of marijuana…

Cannabis Sativa: Typically known for its energizing and uplifting effects, sativa strains are often used during the day for a more active and creative experience. They tend to have higher levels of THC and are often associated with cerebral, euphoric effects. However, certain individuals can experience severe anxiety and paranoia.

Cannabis Indica: Known for its relaxing and sedative effects, indica strains are commonly used in the evening or at night to promote relaxation and gives users the impression that it promotes sleep (we’ll get there in a bit). Indicas are generally higher in CBD and are often associated with a body-high, helping with pain relief and insomnia.

How Does It Work?

The main ingredient in cannabis is Delta 9-THC (or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). This compound interacts with your body's built-in system designed to process cannabinoids. The system includes two main receptors: CB1, which is tied to the mind-altering effects, and CB2, which helps with reducing inflammation.

Since marijuana affects everyone differently, users often try various strains or hybrids to find those that best match their desired effects in a particular context. Currently, there is no way to predict how an individual user will react to a given strain.

Consumption Methods

• Smoking

• Vaping

• Edibles

• Tinctures

• Topicals

  • Creams

  • Patches

  • Balms

Dosing is more precise with the latter three since the packaging specifies the exact number of milligrams of THC.

How is it being used in the medical field?

Medical marijuana is used for a variety of conditions, primarily to help manage symptoms rather than cure diseases. Some of the most common medical uses include:

Pain Relief: It's commonly used to help manage chronic pain, especially when people want to avoid stronger painkillers like opioids.

Nausea and Vomiting: A lot of folks undergoing chemotherapy use it to ease nausea and vomiting.

Boosting Appetite: For people with conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS, marijuana can help boost appetite and prevent weight loss.

Seizure Control: CBD, a compound in marijuana, has shown promise in reducing seizures, especially in certain types of epilepsy.

Muscle Spasms: It's used to help reduce muscle spasms and pain in conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Eye Pressure: Some people use it to lower eye pressure in glaucoma, although there are more effective treatments available.

PTSD Symptoms: It may help relieve anxiety and insomnia in those dealing with PTSD.

What are the concerns?

Dr. Andrew Huberman highlights several concerns with cannabis use, particularly focusing on its effects on the brain and mental health:

Cognitive Impairment: Chronic cannabis use can lead to thinning of the prefrontal cortex, which may impair cognitive functions such as planning, emotional control, and organizational skills​​.

Mental Health Risks: There is an increased risk of developing mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia, especially in young users and those who start using cannabis during adolescence​​.

Addiction and Dependence: Regular use can lead to cannabis use disorder, characterized by psychological dependence and difficulty controlling use despite negative consequences​​.

Physical Health Concerns: Cannabis, particularly when smoked or vaped, can negatively impact lung health and cardiovascular function, increasing the risk of strokes and other cardiac events​.

Reproductive Health: Cannabis use may affect hormone levels and reproductive health, potentially lowering testosterone and impacting fertility in both men and women​.

Sleep Degradation: Dr. Matthew Walker explains that while THC can help people fall asleep faster, it disrupts sleep quality by blocking REM sleep, which is essential for dreaming and cognitive processing. As a result, users may experience intense dreams when they stop using cannabis, a phenomenon known as the REM rebound effect​. Additionally, chronic use of cannabis can lead to dependency, requiring increasingly higher doses to achieve the same effects, and stopping use may result in severe rebound insomnia.

These concerns highlight the importance of considering both the benefits and potential risks of cannabis use, especially for young individuals and those with pre-existing mental health conditions​.

While cannabis shows promise for conditions like epilepsy, pain, and inflammation, it's crucial to understand its effects on your body and mind and discuss its use with your doctor. As research on THC and CBD continues, we can expect to learn more about how to safely maximize its benefits.

*Editor’s Note: in a future issue, we’ll explore CBD as an isolated compound.

To learn more about the effects of cannabis on the brain and body, check out The Huberman Lab podcast episode on the subject here.

I’m here to support you on your journey to a healthier, fitter life. As always, I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Let me know what topics you’d like me to cover in future issues by replying to this email.

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Be well,

Dave

Please note: This newsletter is designed for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for advice tailored to your health and fitness needs.