Cannabis and the brain.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the paper is to review the effects of Cannabis sativa on the human brain.


METHODS
A selective literature review was undertaken.


CONCLUSIONS
Cannabis sativa causes an acute and, with regular heavy ingestion, a subacute encephalopathy. There is no evidence of irreversible cerebral damage resulting from its use, although impairment of information processing might be a long-term consequence of heavy prolonged use. The precise relationship of cannabis to the functional psychoses such as schizophrenia has yet to be clarified.
Castle
D J
DJ
Mills Street Clinical Research Unit, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Ames
F R
FR
D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology
D002186:Cannabinoids