Does smoking cannabis affect the intelligence?

Answer 1

The only thing that marijuana does which might POSSIBLY make you think you are smarter is that it relaxes you - some people don't pay attention to what's around them because they are so stressed out worrying about things, so if you're relaxed, you might notice more and make more connections.

However, there are certainly better ways to relax than by getting high!

Here's the scientific evidence showing what marijuana does to different parts of your brain from Above the Influence:

Cerebral Cortex

Information
This part of the brain helps with...

• Problem-solving, comprehension This comes in handy on exams
• Control and judgment
• Motor skills

Risks
The cerebral cortex helps route messages in your brain. Pot can distort your thinking, perception and judgment, and can make you do things that you normally wouldn't.

What Happens

• Poor judgment
• Dulled senses Do you really want to miss the good stuff in life?

Limbic System

Information

• This is the emotional center of the brain that controls how you deal with problems and how you feel about yourself. Among other things, weed is a depressant. Dude, it's a downer
• The hippocampus (located here) is also important for memory and learning. You could fall behind in school

Risks
This part of the brain is most influenced by weed. When the THC in pot attaches to CB (cannabinoid) receptors, this affects emotional responses, learning and memory. Also, the limbic system creates a memory (or craving) of the drug, which can lead to addiction.

What Happens

• Depression Dealing with problems is hard enough
• Short attention span That should help you ace your SATs
• Lack of motivation
• Paranoia and suicidal thoughts Nobody wants to go there

Hypothalmus

Information
This part of the brain helps:

• Blood pressure and heart rate
• Slows metabolism, effects thirst and appetite
• Sleep cycles and wakefulness
• Body temperature

Risks
The THC in marijuana attaches to CB (cannabinoid) receptors here and makes it hard for your body to regulate itself (which means your blood pressure spikes, you're hungry and your hormones are out of whack).

What Happens

• Excessive sweating Don't worry, no one will notice
• Sleep disorders
• Increased appetite ("munchies") Sure, pigging out is really attractive

Prefrontal Cortex

Information
This is the part of the brain that helps you:

• Make decisions
• Understand long-term consequences

Risks
Pot can alter blood flow to this region of your brain, which can affect your judgment and ability to make decisions.

What Happens

• Poor judgment Doing stupid stuff really isn't you
• Taking more risks than normal

Cerebellum

Information
This is the part of the brain that helps you run, throw a ball or ride a bike. It helps with:

• Balance and physical coordination
• Internal timing system and reaction time It's sooo not safe to drive high

Risks
The THC in weed interferes with signals being sent to this part of the brain, making movements slow and difficult.

What Happens

• Problems with balance and coordination
• Distorted perception of time Get off the couch - You're missing out

Answer 2

It has never been proven, but it is possible that it affects the speed of ones thinking. To me it has never done this and I tend to smoke fairly often, but i do know a few people who i have seen a change in their thinking abilities. It really just depends on the person.

Answer 3

actually, the national institute of drug abuse came to the conclusion that smoking marijuana causes cognitive impairments lasting up to 28 days after smoking marijuana.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_notes/NNvol18N5/Cognitive.html

Answer 4

I do not believe that sufficient evidence exists to prove that smoking cannabis negatively affects the intelligence, nor does it likely make one MORE intelligent. What it can do, however, is open the mind towards new ideas that may or may not lead to increased intelligence, relatively speaking of course.

Answer 5

no its doesnt make you stupid it really all in ur headwhen people start act dumb