Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is known to impair nearly all aspects of memory. There is one exception, though. THC does not affect the recall of existing memories.
The
most obvious effect of THC is the disruption of short-term memory. This
means it will be harder to form new memories while high. THC also
impairs the consolidation of short-term memories into long-term
memories. This makes it difficult to remember what happened during the
high — even after it wears off.
But THC does not impair your
ability to recall existing memories. So, marijuana users will be able to
remember things like their name and where they live, no matter how high
they might get. Similarly, marijuana use does not lead to memory loss or dementia.
In fact, experts believe that the body’s endocannabinoid system — a biological system
made up of naturally occurring, marijuana-like compounds — acts to
regulate memory formation. Specifically, it seems to function as a
filter of sorts, preventing the brain from being overloaded with
irrelevant or useless memories.
The effects of THC on memory seem to depend on dose, with larger doses having a more severe effect. But studies also show that frequent users tend to be more tolerant to marijuana and its effects.
Some studies suggest that CBD may act to reduce the memory impairments of THC. However, not enough research exists to say for certain whether this is true.
While memory impairment is a downside for most marijuana users, THC can help some people forget bad memories.
In fact, studies
show that the endocannabinoid system is directly involved with the
extinction of negative memories. By acting on the endocannabinoid
system, THC is believed to facilitate this extinction.
As a
result, THC is believed to hold promise in treating anxiety disorders
such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Experts believe that marijuana can help patients with PTSD cope with traumatic memories by improving their ability to forget.
More at: Leaf Science
Once the marijuana plants have been harvested, they have obviously
ceased to produce new cannabinoids and resins. The main changes to the
potency will be negative, but effective drying and storage can help
mitigate the effects. Most of the weight contained in the plant is water
and drying will cause the liquid to evaporate, ensuring that the
marijuana will burn evenly and smoke well.
lf you were impatient, and tried to quickly cut, dry, and smoke a bud
prior to your harvest, you probably noticed how poorly it smoked. This
is due to the water that comprises well over half (more that 60%) of its
weight.
It probably didn’t get you high either, since drying also helps to
activate the cannabinoids within the marijuana plant. But since you are a
prudent cannabis grower, you waited until your buds were perfectly ripe
and ready.
There are several methods to consider when drying marijuana, and they
range from quick and easy, to slightly more involved but not much more
difficult. The first method that I will describe is the slowest but by
the far the most effective in terms of sealing in the aroma and taste of
your buds. Simply hang the buds upside down in a secure dark place such
as a closet or room with sealed windows and a good draft. It is
important that air be able to circulate while the marijuana plants are
being dried. This means that you may have to exercise some caution in
terms of where you might be able to safely dry the plants – they will be
very, very pungent.
Use a fan to keep the air circulating and be sure to separate the plants
or you could lose a lot of your buds to mold. Removing the large green
leaves and stems speeds the drying process since those parts of the
plant contain much more water. Do not dry the marijuana in the sunlight
as the buds will lose potency, their color and some of their taste. They
may also become brittle, which will make them smoke very harshly.
If your drying room is very humid, or if it is raining outside pay
special attention to your bud and make sure that the room is well
ventilated. You will have to be especially vigilant under these
conditions with respect to mold. This is the reason that the drying area
should be secure: your multiple trips should not arouse suspicion.
Expect the drying time for a large amount of marijuana plants to be at
least ten days to two weeks.
Thank You: I Love Growing Marijuana
According to a study published earlier
this year, marijuana use makes food taste better and enhances
a consumers sense of smell. The study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience
reported that marijuana has an effect on the cannabinoid receptors in
the brain. This results in an increased food intake as a result of a
more accurate and improved sense of smell.
In the study, mice were used, however this information has
implications for populations of people who have problems with food
consumption. Patients in recovery from serous eating disorders such as
anorexia nervosa are a group of people who could potentially benefit
from this information.
The study was led by Giovanni Marsicano, a researcher from the
Université De Bordeaux who is particularly interested in the
endocannabionoid system. Marsicano and a team of neuroscientists from
Europe found that the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, THC,
can fit inside receptors in the olfactory bulb in the brain. This means
that the senses of taste and smell are enhanced when marijuana is used.
When food smells better, there is an effect on appetite which leads to a
greater consumption due to an increase in smelling accuracy. Basically,
food is more appealing when sense of smell is sharp.
Marsicano explains that feeding disorders such as anorexia nervosa
are often accompanied by an altered perception of food. As smell is a
sense which is linked to the intake of food, it is a sense which is
altered in diseases such as this. The ability to regulate or change this
may be a future therapy useful in this type of disorder.
Mice are often used in laboratory
trials as they share some cognitive similarities to humans. In the
study, mice were given tests to access their sense of smell. These tests
consisted of almond and banana oils. Initially, the mice showed great
interest in the oils and sniffed at them a lot. After a while however,
the mice showed a decreasing level of interest. This is a well
documented phenomenon referred to as olfactory habituation.
When the mice had been given a dose of THC, they did not show a
decreased level of interest in the oils after time. These mice also
demonstrated an increase in appetite and ate a lot more than the mice
who had not been given THC. The scientists then tested the THC on a set
of mice genetically engineered to not have any cannabinoid receptors in
their olfactory bulbs. In these mice, there was no effect when they were
given THC, they did not sniff at the oils for longer, nor did they eat
more food. The researchers concluded that it was the effect that THC had
on the olfactory receptors in the brain that was responsible for the
increase in appetite, which in turn may have been due to enhanced sense
of smell.
From this study, a conclusion has been drawn surrounding the way in
which marijuana increases appetite by improving the way food smells and
tastes. This in turn also promotes feelings of well being and increases
happiness.
By Tabitha Farrar at: Liberty Voice