You must weed out that habit for your own mental health's sake
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A study published in JAMA Neurology examined health records from Ontario, Canada, where the sale of cannabis is legal, from 2008 to 2021, involving over six million people aged 45 to 105 years. The analysis revealed that 16,275 individuals received acute care for cannabis-related issues, with males comprising 60% of them.
Healthcare practitioners across the city confirm that cannabis impacts brain functionality by interfering with neural signals and affecting the endocannabinoid system, which controls mood, memory, and cognitive functions.
Extended cannabis exposure leads to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and decreased neurogenesis, symptoms commonly associated with dementia development, particularly in ageing brains susceptible to cognitive deterioration. In India, according to a nationwide survey, 31 million people (2.8% of the total population) reported using cannabis in 2018, of whom 2.5 million showed signs of cannabis dependence.
Dr Madhukar Bhardwaj, director and head, neurology, Aakash Healthcare, noted that cannabis affects the hippocampus which is responsible for memory and learning. Older individuals experience stronger, prolonged cannabis effects due to slower metabolism and increased neurotransmitter sensitivity, potentially leading to hippocampal atrophy, a recognised dementia indicator.
Research indicates that individuals above 45 seeking emergency or hospital treatment for cannabis-related issues demonstrated higher dementia risk within five years, suggesting a link between severe cannabis toxicity and progressive cognitive decline.
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A PubMed research identifies Mumbai and Delhi among the world's top ten cities for cannabis consumption even as bhang consumption has religious and cultural significance in several communities. Parliament considered legislation for medicinal and commercial use in 2016 and Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh authorised cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes in 2019.
India enacted the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 1985, prohibiting cannabis cultivation, production and consumption alongside 70 other substances.
This followed similar restrictions in the US and Europe, with India joining as a UN Single Convention signatory.
Professor Manjari Tripathi, head, neurology, AIIMS, elaborated that while cannabidiol is beneficial in specific medical conditions, the recreational use of marijuana can harm brain function. She cautioned against the worldwide trend towards marijuana legalisation, saying this would result in an increase in dementia cases, particularly early-onset dementia.
Cannabis usage is correlated to various health issues. Dr PN Renjen, senior consultant, Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, listed cardiovascular risks, including elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, myocarditis and higher acute myocardial infarction. Psychiatric disorders, among them psychosis, schizophrenia (especially with early or adolescent use), depression and anxiety are associated with cannabis consumption too.
There can also be cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, characterised by severe cyclic vomiting. Cognitive impairments such as reduced attention, memory deficits and impaired motor coordination are particularly concerning in adolescents and cannabis use disorder affects 30% of users. Young people face increased vulnerability due to ongoing brain development until their mid-20s. Dr Rajul Aggarwal, director, neurology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, explained that cannabis disrupted the brain maturation processes, resulting in long-term attention, learning, memory and emotional regulation deficits.
Adolescents, and pregnant or nursing women should avoid cannabis, said Dr (Colonel) Joy Dev Mukherji, vice-chairman and head, neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket. Those with personal or family histories of psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder should abstain, he said.
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