Despite early experiments in rodents and other mammals having showed instances of brain cell regrowth, otherwise known as neurogenesis, recent research has unfortunately found that this restorative effect does not appear to take place in the adult human brain. Marijuana proponents in the scientific community have always held hopes of being able to use cannabis and its unique chemical compounds for treating devastating degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS but this new information has revealed less than desirable results in that regard.
While the study did not finding any significant indications of neurogenesis relegated to the human hippocampus, there’s not to say that there aren’t any positive effects at all present. Also, it should be noted that this study focused only on the hippocampus and any potential effects that marijuana may have had on other parts of the brain were not taken into account. Doctor Michele Ross, the executive director of IMPACT Network, expounds on this when she stated, “Cannabinoids are great for the brain. CBD’s anti-inflammation reduces stress and improves learning and memory.”
One thing is definitely for certain, additional research is needed in order to unravel the full potential of this versatile and mysterious plant! Be sure to follow the link below for additional details on this fascinating study and its implications.
Though many medical marijuana advocates claim that the plant can help encourage neurogenesis, or brain cell regrowth, new research suggests humans cannot tap into this Wolverine-like ability.
Cannabis can regrow brain cells, so the argument goes. It’s become a favorite claim for supporters of medical weed, but there’s a catch.
According to researchers at the University of California at San Francisco, brain cell growth — or “neurogenesis” — does not occur in the adult human hippocampus. This study seemingly flies in the face of the past two decades of research claiming the hippocampus could regenerate lost cells. In other mammals, such as rats and mice, the hippocampus is believed to direct neurogenesis in other parts of the brain as well, but humans probably cannot tap into this Wolverine-like ability.
“It’s great to say, ‘In the rodent brain, exercise increases neurogenesis’ or ‘CBD increases neurogenesis,'” Michele Ross, PhD, told MERRY JANE by phone. “But if it doesn’t happen in the [human] adult brain, it’s not worth bringing it up. It’s completely irrelevant.”
Is It a Myth That Cannabis Can Help Regrow Brain Cells? – Health | MERRY JANE
