Differences between the effect of marijuana smoking on the brain (With nicotine and without)

  • Smoking joints is among the most common methods of applying medical cannabis
  • Cannabis cigarettes are most often prepared by patients and recreational users with added tobacco
  • How is the medical effect of marijuana application influenced by adding tobacco, and thus nicotine?

Recently, researchers from the University of Texas in Dallas focused on answering this question. Overall, scientists tried to address three fundamental scientific gaps - the impact on the brain of smoking medical cannabis alone, cannabis with nicotine, and nicotine itself.

Previous studies have shown that smoking cigarettes, and thus nicotine, can in many cases be a "gateway" for users that subsequently leads them to marijuana smoking. The following studies focused on observing mice given the option to inhale THC alone, nicotine alone, or both. Mice that initially used THC began turning to nicotine as well. This connection, which also works in the reverse direction, was not observed in mice given drugs like heroin or cocaine. Based on current results, there may be a unique relationship between THC and nicotine.

"Most current studies focus either on nicotine or cannabis use. However, most users apply both substances simultaneously, which is statistically proven. It makes sense that we should examine the effects of cannabis with nicotine and its brain impacts more deeply," explains Dr. Francesca M. Filbey, one of the study leaders and head of the brain research department at the University of Texas Dallas. "The critical realization here is that we currently have a significant lack of information about this relationship."

There is a very interesting completely different pattern of metrics measuring brain connectivity for cannabis smokers versus those who use it with tobacco. "This noticeable difference drives us to further research. It's very interesting," adds Filbey.

Detailed brain MRI scans were obtained from all studied subjects covering twelve crucial brain areas. The study participant spectrum was as follows:

  1. 28 nicotine smokers
  2. 53 cannabis smokers
  3. 26 cannabis + nicotine smokers
  4. 30 abstainers

First, it was found that brain connectivity is notably highest in those who use neither cannabis nor nicotine. More interestingly, the brain connectivity level is higher in combined users (nicotine + cannabis) than in those smoking either cigarettes or marijuana alone. However, it's important to note that the study did not consider usage frequency or typical doses and resulting differences between individual subjects.

The study suggested to researchers that neural connections and brain behavior differ significantly when comparing cannabis use alone versus cannabis with tobacco. These findings could theoretically lead to a better understanding of how to achieve abstinence for those struggling to stop using cannabis or cigarettes.

Source: sciencedaily.com