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CHAPTER THREE

Marijuana’s

Effects on

the Brain

Marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, is nearly identical in struc-
ture to endocannabinoids—natural chemicals found in the
body that govern brain function and development. As a re-
sult, THC fi ts into the brain’s receptors for endocannabinoids
like a key in a lock. The presence of THC in these receptors
causes cells in the brain known as neurotransmitters to send
chemical signals to other cells in the brain, creating various
sensations and perceptions. Often these effects are benign,

creating the “high” that marijuana users experience. These
effects include altered senses (for example, seeing brighter
colors), altered sense of time, and changes in mood. How-
ever, since THC interacts with receptors located in parts of
the brain that are linked to physical movement, the thinking
process, and the encoding of memories, the use of mari-
juana can affect these functions as well. Harvard Medical
School states:

There’s no question that marijuana . . . can produce
short-term problems with thinking, working mem-

ory, executive function, and psychomotor function
(physical actions that require conscious thought,
such as driving a car or playing a musical instru-
ment). This is because marijuana’s main psycho-

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