Cannabis
and the
Brain


The brain is made up of different regions that are connected and work together to control different functions like memory and motor skills.
THC, a chemical found in cannabis, attaches to receptors in many parts of the brain. THC interferes with normal functioning within brain regions and communication between different areas. As a result, THC can impact a person’s body and behavior in many different ways.
Click on the different areas of the brain to learn more.
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Click on different parts of the
brain to find out different effects of THC.

Medications

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When THC in cannabis attaches to receptors in the amygdala, it can cause feelings of fear and anxiety in some individuals. THC can also disrupt signaling in the hippocampus, resulting in impaired short-term memory.

Limbic System

The limbic system is a collection of
brain structures deep within the brain
that is involved in memory and
emotion processing. The amygdala and
hippocampus are two of the key structures.
EFFECTS

When THC in cannabis attaches to receptors in the amygdala, it can cause feelings of fear and anxiety in some individuals. THC can also disrupt signaling in the hippocampus, resulting in impaired short-term memory.

Brain Stem

The brain stem is in charge of the
functions our body needs to stay
alive—breathing, heart rate, and
digesting food. It links the brain with the
spinal cord, which runs down the back and
moves muscles and limbs. It also lets the brain know
what’s happening to the body.
EFFECTS

Prescription medications containing small amounts of THC have effects on the brain stem that help reduce feelings of nausea associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients. However, frequent use of other cannabis products containing higher amounts of THC can sometimes lead to vomiting that requires medical attention. High amounts of THC can also cause an increase in heart rate.

Cerebellum

Located at the back of the brain, the
cerebellum is involved in the fine-
tuning of motor skills, such as balance
and coordination, and plays an
important role in the perception of time.
EFFECTS

Cannabis can alter the normal functioning of the cerebellum, impairing a person’s coordination and sense of time.

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the large, mushroom-
shaped part of the brain. In humans, it
is so big that it makes up about three-
fourths of the entire brain. The
cerebrum powers our ability to think, plan,
solve problems, and make decisions. It also
processes information from our senses, allowing
us to see, feel, hear, and taste.
EFFECTS

Cannabis can disrupt the way information is processed in the cerebrum, impairing thinking, attention, and decision-making, and leading to altered sensations.
It can sometimes cause symptoms of psychosis, like hallucinations and delusions, in people who are predisposed to this disorder.

Basal Ganglia

The basal ganglia are a group of
structures deep within the brain that
are strongly interconnected with other
brain areas and involved in many
processes, including motor function,
cognition, and emotion. The basal ganglia also play an
important role in regulating how the brain processes
reward and reinforcement.
EFFECTS

THC in cannabis raises levels of the brain chemical dopamine in the basal ganglia. Studies suggest that dopamine helps the brain to remember an activity and encourages repeating it. With regular use, this reinforcing effect of cannabis may lead to addiction.

Medications

Some people are prescribed medications
made from purified or synthetic
(artificially made) cannabinoids,
compounds found in cannabis. For
example, purified CBD is approved by the FDA to
treat some severe seizure disorders, and synthetic
THC is approved to treat nausea associated with
chemotherapy. These medicines are rigorously
tested for their safety and effectiveness before they
are approved for use in the United States.
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Some people may use cannabis or cannabis products, like THC vaping concentrates, purchased in cannabis dispensaries or on the illegal market to treat medical conditions. But this is not the same thing as taking tested and approved medications prescribed by a health professional. For teens, using unapproved cannabis products poses serious health risks. Regular exposure to THC, one of the main chemicals in cannabis, can change how the brain functions. Over time, this may lead to addiction, a disorder in which a person continues to use a drug despite the negative consequences. The younger a person is when they begin to use a drug regularly, the higher the risk of developing addiction.

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