How does marijuana affect the brain, specifically the hippocampus?

Once marijuana is inhaled, the smoke, which contains chemicals, filters throughout the body in an instant. One of those chemicals is THC. THC is a very potent chemical with harsh side effects. It can potentially produce mental and psychological effects. Once THC is inhaled and enters your bloodstream it reaches your brain within seconds and begins to go to work.

This article clearly stated how marijuana affects the brain. Basically, foreign chemicals, such as THS, can mimic or block actions of neurotransmitters can interfere with normal functions. In the brain, there are many groups of cannabinoid receptors. These are found in several different places and they have an effect on several mental and physical activities including, short-term memory, coordination, leaning, and problem solving.

As stated above, once you inhale marijuana, chemicals are distributed throughout the body. High concentrations of cannabinoid receptors are in the hippocampus, cerebellum and basal ganglia. The hippocampus is important for short-term memory. The article stated, “When the THC binds with the cannabinoid receptors inside the hippocampus, it interferes with the recollection of recent events.” Therefore, it is possible that the more marijuana a person smokes the less short-term memory they have.

By: Jennifer L.M.

Reference:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana3.htm