In the US, picking up an eighth of weed is about as common as picking up a gallon of milk these days. What used to be an endeavor that involved vetting a reliable connection, organizing a pickup, and finding a remote place to do it, is now quite the opposite in a lot of places throughout the country. Many Americans can walk into a marijuana dispensary without so much as a prescription. They simply place the order, pick it up, and enjoy.
In fact, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 61.5 million, or 23.4% of American adults, used marijuana in 2024. Today 24 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of cannabis (marijuana) for recreational use for people over the age of 18. Suffice it to say, a lot of Americans are getting recreationally high on the regular, in addition to folks using it to manage issues such as chronic pain and anxiety.
But what does exactly does it do to your brain and body? LAD Bible recently reported on a study conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz and found on a surface level “greater lifetime cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults was generally associated with larger brain volumes and better cognitive function.” The group used data from the UK Biobank, with participants aged 40 to 70 in an effort to look at the impact the sometimes-illicit substance has on the brain, noting that cannabis can quickly affect the body after use.
“More older adults are using cannabis. It’s more widely available and is being used for different reasons than in younger folks—such as for sleep and chronic pain,” lead author of the study, Anika Guha, explained during a Q&A with Medical Press.
Even though most think this is a green light to go ahead smoke even more, Guha warned it isn’t as simple as that. “I think it depends on how people are using it and what outcomes you’re looking at.”
In general the effects of cannabis are due to THC and CBD (nonpsychoactive property) found in the plant. It enters the body through smoke inhalation or orally through edibles, and interacts with the endocannabinoid system to alter brain and body function. Chemically what happens is the THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, which causes psychoactive effects such as euphoria, while other cannabinoids affect receptors throughout the body. This generally impacts everything from regulating mood to appetite and pain management.
LAD Bible’s review of the study provided a minute-to-minute breakdown of what happens:
- First Minutes: It can reportedly take up to 10 minutes to begin feeling the first effects of THC. Many experience an increased heart rate during this time.
- 20 Minutes: By this time, the THC has been full absorbed into your blood stream and begins making its way through your circulatory system throughout the entire body. If you ingest an edible, it can take longer. It begins to simulate a rush of “pleasure” by way of increasing dopamine, though for some, it could cause a spike of anxiety. Different strains of weed will produce various results. This is also about when it hits the olfactory bulb and falsely sends signals from your brain that your body is hungry, producing the urge to snack.
- 30 minutes: The high you are experiencing will be at its maximum intensity and will likely last for several hours more.
- Full day: Although the greatest effects wears off in an hour or so, it is likely it would still show up in a urine test 24 hours after taking it. It can also make you slightly more sluggish than normal.
It should be noted that although it may increase brain mass in adults, marijuana doesn’t do that in kids, which is why parents need to be sure to keep teens away from marijuana use until their brains are fully developed. Overall, it can be a useful tool for a lot of folks to manage a myriad of issues, but it is important to note that it will affect each person differently
