Summary
The most commonly used illicit drug in America is marijuana, and its use is highly prevalent in college campuses (Morin, 2018). The two primary factors that have contributed to its increased use among young adults and adolescents are its legal status as well as a shift in the society’s beliefs. The effects of cannabis use are widespread throughout the body, some of which include decision-making impairments, attention and memory impairments, as well as cognitive function impairments. The specific purpose of this study is to analyze the brain structure of cannabis users. The three parameters used for the investigation are the use of voxel-based morphometry to establish the density of grey matter, estimation of gross volumetric changes of grey matter through volume observation, and the investigation of the subcortical structures localized shape differences through the observation of shape deformation. The study aimed at determining whether the recreational use of cannabis may have an association with brain abnormalities. The study comprised of 40 young adult participants, 20 of whom were frequent and current users of marijuana, while the other 20 were nonusers, who were used as a control for the experiment. In each group, there were 11 females and nine males. The participants were later scanned using a high-resolution T-1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan after which data was collected. Three different types of analysis methods were performed for each set of data, that is, shape analysis, volume analysis, and voxel-based morphometry analysis. The three parameters were integrated to assess the four priori structures both in the marijuana users and the non-users and also to determine the relationship between nucleus accumbens and amygdala hemispheres. Finally, a timeline follow-back was conducted for each of the participants. The results indicate that grey matter density was higher among marijuana users, more so in the hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, and left amygdala. Also, significant shape differences were recorded between the marijuana users and non-users. Besides, multimodal relationships grey matter density, volume, and ventrices are altered among marijuana users. This study therefore able to establish some morphometric abnormalities among marijuana users. In conclusion, the study established that recreational use of marijuana by young adults could result in structural abnormalities in nucleus accumbens’ and amygdala’s grey matter, shape and volume (Gilman et al., 2014).
Questions/Explorations
The researchers mention that the study cannot exclusively determine that the relationship between structural abnormalities in the brain areas and marijuana use. However, the results of the survey indicate that marijuana users have morphometric abnormalities. Is it then possible to classify this relationship as correlational rather than a causation relationship? How can we classify the relationship between the two variables?
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Some states in the United States have legalized the use of medical marijuana for certain healthcare conditions. This study was conducted mainly focusing on the recreational use of marijuana. Does medical marijuana also have the same effects on the structure of the accumbens and amygdala? If so, why do states continue to legalize its use when it has a detrimental impact on the structure of various brain parts?
Reference
Gilman, J. M., Kuster, J. K., Lee, S., Lee, M. J., Kim, B. W., Makris, N., … Breiter, H. C. (2014). Cannabis Use Is Quantitatively Associated with Nucleus Accumbens and Amygdala Abnormalities in Young Adult Recreational Users. Journal of Neuroscience, 34(16), 5529-5538. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.4745-13.2014
Morin, A. (2018). Statistics on Teenage Marijuana Use. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/marijuana-use-by-teens-statistics-2610207
