{"id":54004,"date":"2021-08-30T18:09:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T18:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/merryjane.com\/scientific-evidence-shows-weed-doesnt-cause-brain-damage-in-case-you-were-wondering\/"},"modified":"2021-08-30T18:09:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T18:09:04","slug":"scientific-evidence-shows-weed-doesnt-cause-brain-damage-in-case-you-were-wondering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/merryjane.com\/news\/scientific-evidence-shows-weed-doesnt-cause-brain-damage-in-case-you-were-wondering\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientific Evidence Shows Weed Doesn’t Cause Brain Damage, in Case You Were Wondering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Image <\/em>via<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

A team of researchers from Australia and the Netherlands just published a new study that further debunks<\/u><\/a> the myth that regular cannabis use causes brain damage. <\/p>\n

The new study<\/u><\/a>, which was just published in the Addiction Biology<\/em> journal, explores whether long-term cannabis use can damage the integrity of white matter in the brain. Researchers know relatively little about the role of white matter, but now believe that damage or dysfunction to this part of the brain could lead to cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and depression.<\/p>\n

Most research on long-term drug abuse has focused on grey matter, which is associated with muscle control, senses, and higher cognitive function, but a growing number of researchers are now investigating how substance use can affect white matter. A study from 2019 suggests that regular use of certain drugs, especially alcohol, opiates, and cocaine<\/u><\/a> can decrease the coherence of white matter, potentially causing cognitive decline.<\/p>\n