Skip to the content
  • 719-347-5400
  • info@realmofcaring.org
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Donate
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Donate
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Register
  • Login
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Donate
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Research
    • Research Library
    • Participate
      • Long-Term CBD Study
      • Observational Research Registry
      • Women’s Veteran Study
  • Resources
    • Client Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Client Education Series
      • Client F.A.Q.
        • Client Additional Questions
      • For Pets
      • Glossary
      • Locate a Healthcare Professional
      • Medical Cannabis Cards
      • Printable Resources
    • Healthcare Portal
      • Dosing & Administration
      • Join Our List of Healthcare Professionals
      • Practitioner Education
    • Events
      • Book Club
      • Virtual Support Groups
    • Merch Shop
  • Blog
    • Cannabis Education
    • Client Stories
  • About
    • Donate
    • Who We Are
    • In the News
    • Our Supporters
    • Financials
  • Contact Us
    • Call or Email
    • Request an Appointment
    • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Register
  • Login

Research Library

A-Z Conditions  Participate in ORR

The Grass Might Be Greener: Medical Marijuana Patients Exhibit Altered Brain Activity and Improved Executive Function after 3 Months of Treatment

  • Journal : Frontiers in Pharmacology
  • Publication Year : 2018
  • Authors : Staci A. Gruber, Kelly A. Sagar, Mary K. Dahlgren, Atilla Gonenc, Rosemary T. Smith, Ashley M. Lambros, Korine B. Cabrera, & Scott E. Lukas

Abstract

The vast majority of states have enacted full or partial medical marijuana (MMJ) programs, causing the number of patients seeking certification for MMJ use to increase dramatically in recent years. Despite increased use of MMJ across the nation, no studies thus far have examined the specific impact of MMJ on cognitive function and related brain activation. In the present study, MMJ patients seeking treatment for a variety of documented medical conditions were assessed prior to initiating MMJ treatment and after 3 months of treatment as part of a larger longitudinal study. In order to examine the effect of MMJ treatment on task-related brain activation, MMJ patients completed the Multi-Source Interference Test (MSIT) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We also collected data regarding conventional medication use, clinical state, and health-related measures at each visit. Following 3 months of treatment, MMJ patients demonstrated improved task performance accompanied by changes in brain activation patterns within the cingulate cortex and frontal regions. Interestingly, after MMJ treatment, brain activation patterns appeared more similar to those exhibited by healthy controls from previous studies than at pre-treatment, suggestive of a potential normalization of brain function relative to baseline. These findings suggest that MMJ use may result in different effects relative to recreational marijuana (MJ) use, as recreational consumers have been shown to exhibit decrements in task performance accompanied by altered brain activation. Moreover, patients in the current study also reported improvements in clinical state and health-related measures as well as notable decreases in prescription medication use, particularly opioids and benzodiapezines after 3 months of treatment. Further research is needed to clarify the specific neurobiologic impact, clinical efficacy, and unique effects of MMJ for a range of indications and how it compares to recreational MJ use.

Read the Full Article

Share This:

Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email
PrevPreviousComposition and Use of Cannabis Extracts for Childhood Epilepsy in the Australian Community
NextMedicinal cannabis for psychiatric disorders: a clinically-focused systematic reviewNext

Conditions:

  • Cognition

Research Information:

Research Keywords:

  • ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabis

Search the Research Library >

Follow Us:

Facebook Twitter Youtube

REGISTER WITH RoC TODAY!

Realm of Caring focuses on research, education, building community, and improving quality of life. We are an educational resource for consumers, physicians, scientists, governments and the media.
Register now
  • PO Box 15224, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
  • 719-347-5400
  • info@realmofcaring.org

Copyright © 2024 / Realm of Caring Foundation, Inc

  • Privacy
  • Disclaimer

Open the following in new tabs if you:

If you are already a user: Client Login

If you are not, then register: Client Registration

Once Logged in, click below to refresh the page.