Andrew Huberman: The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain and Body (Huberman Lab Podcast)

The video Dr. Andrew Huberman is about the effects of cannabis (marijuana) on the brain and body. It discusses the different compounds in cannabis, such as THC, CBD, and various strains, and their potential benefits and hazards. The video also covers the role of cannabis in treating anxiety, depression, and other ailments, as well as its impact on creativity and different modes of thinking. The discussion is nuanced and includes specific research papers and statistics. The video also announces the launch of a premium channel for the Huberman Lab podcast, where listeners can ask questions and receive in-depth answers from the host.

This video by Andrew Huberman was published on Oct 3, 2022.
Video length: 02:47:38.

The Huberman Lab podcast episode titled "The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body" discusses the various compounds in cannabis, including THC, CBD, and different strains such as sativa, indica, and hybrid strains.

The episode also covers the medicinal applications of cannabis and combinations of strains, as well as potential health hazards for certain individuals. The discussion is framed within the context of the legality of cannabis, which varies greatly depending on the country and even the state or area within a country. The episode includes information on the positive and negative effects of cannabis on anxiety, depression, sex differences, creativity, and memory systems. The host also discusses the role of cannabis in treating specific ailments and the potential hazards for certain individuals, such as those with pre-existing genetic propensity for psychosis.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of age in determining whether cannabis is right or wrong for an individual, and the Huberman Lab podcast has now launched a premium channel where the host will host regular AMA sessions and provide in-depth answers to specific questions about science and cannabis.

• Cannabis includes many different compounds that have a profound impact on the brain and body
• THC is one of the most well-known compounds in cannabis
• CBD is another compound in cannabis that has potential benefits and hazards
• There are different types of cannabis strains, including sativa, indica, and hybrid strains
• Type 1, type 2, and type 3 strains are different types of cannabis strains
• Cannabis has potential benefits in the treatment of some ailments
• Certain compounds in cannabis can be dangerous for certain individuals to use
• Individuals with pre-existing genetic propensity for psychosis may be at risk
• Cannabis can be used to treat anxiety and depression, both positively and negatively
• Cannabis can also impact sex differences in terms of women versus men

The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body | Huberman Lab Podcast #92 - YouTube

Introduction

• Welcome to the Huberman Lab podcast
• Discussing science and science-based tools for everyday life
• Hosted by Andrew Huberman, a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine
• Today's discussion is about cannabis, also known as marijuana

Cannabis Compounds

• Cannabis includes many different compounds that have a profound impact on the brain and body
• THC is one of the most well-known compounds in cannabis
• CBD is another compound in cannabis that has potential benefits and hazards
• There are different types of cannabis strains, including sativa, indica, and hybrid strains
• Type 1, type 2, and type 3 strains are different types of cannabis strains

Medicinal Applications of Cannabis

• Cannabis has potential benefits in the treatment of some ailments
• Certain compounds in cannabis can be dangerous for certain individuals to use
• Individuals with pre-existing genetic propensity for psychosis may be at risk
• Cannabis can be used to treat anxiety and depression, both positively and negatively
• Cannabis can also impact sex differences in terms of women versus men

The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body | Huberman Lab Podcast #92 - YouTube

Cannabis and Creativity

• Cannabis can impact the way that we think and access memory systems
• Cannabis can also impact convergent and divergent thinking, which is commonly referred to as creativity
• Cannabis can impact the way that we think and access memory systems
• Cannabis can also impact convergent and divergent thinking, which is commonly referred to as creativity

Cannabis and Methodology

• Today's discussion will include a lot of information
• The methodology in specific research papers will be discussed
• The specific populations of people that were studied will be discussed
• Instances where the use of cannabis can be beneficial or detrimental will be discussed
• The structure of today's episode will be reviewed

Conclusion

• By the end of today's podcast, you will have a thorough understanding of cannabis
• You will know what it does, what its potential benefits and hazards are
• You will know whether or not it's right for you and the people you know
• The Huberman Lab podcast has now launched a premium channel
• The premium channel will allow for regular AMA sessions with the host

Section 1: Introduction to the Premium Channel

• The premium channel is a paid subscription service for the Huberman Lab podcast.
• It costs $10 per month or $100 for the entire year.
• Proceeds from the premium channel will be used to fund research in particular research done on human beings.
• The tiny Foundation has generously offered to do a dollar for dollar match on all funds raised for research through the premium channel.
• Signing up for the premium channel gives access to all episodes of the podcast, answers to questions, and premium content.

Section 2: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) Protocol

• NSDR is a behavioral practice that allows you to direct your brain and body into a particular state.
• The state is typically one of deep relaxation and can be used to teach yourself how to relax in real time and recover some of the sleep that you may not be getting at night.
• NSDR has been demonstrated many times over through quality peer-reviewed science and has neurochemical, physical, and psychological benefits.
• It is recommended to anyone that has trouble falling asleep or wakes up in the middle of the night and needs to get better at falling back asleep.
• NSDR is also beneficial for anyone with issues with anxiety or self-regulation, and can be used as a restorative for leaning back into focused work of any kind.

Section 3: NSDR Script

• A zero-cost NSDR script is available on the internet for people to access.
• It can be found by going to YouTube and searching for "Huberman and NSDR".
• The script is hosted by virtuasan, which has a terrific app that includes NSDR and other health and wellness protocols.
• The script is distinct from Yoga Nidra in the sense that it doesn't have mystical components.
• It includes specific components such as long exhale breathing and talk about perceptual shifts and how to move from thinking and planning to pure sensation.

Section 4: Conclusion

• The premium channel is a paid subscription service for the Huberman Lab podcast that supports research in particular research done on human beings.
• NSDR is a behavioral practice that allows you to direct your brain and body into a particular state and has been demonstrated many times over through quality peer-reviewed science.
• A zero-cost NSDR script is available on the internet for people to access and can be found by going to YouTube and searching for "Huberman and NSDR".

Introduction

• The video is about the effects of cannabis (marijuana) on the brain and body.
• It discusses the different compounds in cannabis, such as THC, CBD, and various strains, and their potential benefits and hazards.
• The video also covers the role of cannabis in treating anxiety, depression, and other ailments, as well as its impact on creativity and different modes of thinking.
• The discussion is nuanced and includes specific research papers and statistics.
• The video announces the launch of a premium channel for the Huberman Lab podcast, where listeners can ask questions and receive in-depth answers from the host.

Section 1: The Importance of Managing Blood Sugar

• The video discusses the importance of managing blood sugar for immediate and long-term health.
• It explains how different foods and lifestyle factors can impact blood sugar levels.
• The video uses a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to provide real-time feedback on diet and blood sugar levels.
• The video mentions how the author uses a CGM to see how different foods and lifestyle factors impact their blood sugar levels.
• The video suggests that anyone interested in learning more about managing blood sugar should try a CGM themselves.

Section 2: The Effects of Exercise on Blood Sugar

• The video discusses the effects of exercise on blood sugar levels.
• It explains how different types of exercise can impact blood sugar levels.
• The video uses a CGM to provide real-time feedback on how exercise impacts blood sugar levels.
• The video mentions how the author uses a CGM to see how different types of exercise impact their blood sugar levels.
• The video suggests that anyone interested in learning more about how exercise impacts blood sugar should try a CGM themselves.

Section 3: The Role of Nootropics in Enhancing Cognitive Ability

• The video discusses the role of nootropics in enhancing cognitive ability.
• It explains that nootropics are not "smart drugs" but rather chemicals and neural circuits that increase cognitive ability.
• The video mentions a program called Thesis that makes custom nootropics tailored to individual needs.
• The video suggests that anyone interested in learning more about nootropics should go to Thesis' website.
• The video mentions a code that can be used to get a discount on Thesis' products.

Section 4: The Importance of Regular Blood Work

• The video discusses the importance of regular blood work for understanding and improving health.
• It explains that many factors that impact health can only be analyzed with a quality blood test.
• The video mentions a personalized nutrition platform called Inside Tracker that helps interpret blood test results and provide actionable recommendations.
• The video suggests that anyone interested in learning more about Inside Tracker should visit their website.
• The video mentions a code that can be used to get a discount on Inside Tracker's products.

Introduction

• The video is about the effects of cannabis (marijuana) on the brain and body.
• The video discusses the different compounds in cannabis, such as THC, CBD, and various strains, and their potential benefits and hazards.
• The video covers the role of cannabis in treating anxiety, depression, and other ailments, as well as its impact on creativity and different modes of thinking.
• The discussion is nuanced and includes specific research papers and statistics.
• The video announces the launch of a premium channel for the Huberman Lab podcast, where listeners can ask questions and receive in-depth answers from the host.

Cannabis Plants and Strains

• Cannabis plants come in different strains or different varieties.
• Different strains are indeed different genetic strains, and they can be hybridized to one another in various ways to generate different strains.
• There are naturally occurring differences in the strains of plants, and the cannabis plant is no exception.
• For instance, in the context of a discussion about cannabis and its medicinal uses and recreational uses, it is important to distinguish between the sativa variety, the Indica variety, and the ruderalis variety.
• Hybrids of sativa, indica, and ruderalis are also discussed.

Psychoactive Compounds in Cannabis

• The cannabis plant contains a number of different psychoactive compounds.
• The most powerful of those compounds is THC, also known as Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol.
• CBD is another psychoactive compound in cannabis, known for its medicinal uses such as pain management and anxiety management.
• CBN is a less often discussed psychoactive compound in cannabis, but it is relevant to today's discussion.
• There are over 70 different psychoactive compounds in cannabis, many of which still have not been studied in isolation and in detail.

THC, CBD, and CBN

• THC is largely responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, such as changes in mood, bodily state, and sensation.
• CBD and to some extent CBN have profound effects on the brain and body but do not tend to give people the sensation of altered perception, altered mood, etc.
• Some people might say that CBD is not the component of cannabis that gets you high, although today we will really drill into what the high itself represents in terms of chemical systems in the brain and body.
• What we think of as being high actually includes a number of different changes in the brain and body, some of which can be best explained by CBD, not by THC.
• Broadly speaking, we have THC, CBD, and CBN, but the cannabis plant has over 70 different psychoactive compounds, many of which still have not been studied in isolation and in detail.

Conclusion

• The video provides an overview of the effects of cannabis on the brain and body, including the different compounds in cannabis and their potential benefits and hazards.
• The video also covers the role of cannabis in treating anxiety, depression, and other ailments, as well as its impact on creativity and different modes of thinking.
• The discussion is nuanced and includes specific research papers and statistics.
• The video announces the launch of a premium channel for the Huberman Lab podcast, where listeners can ask questions and receive in-depth answers from the host.

The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body

• The video discusses the different compounds in cannabis, such as THC, CBD, and various strains, and their potential benefits and hazards.
• The video covers the role of cannabis in treating anxiety, depression, and other ailments, as well as its impact on creativity and different modes of thinking.
• The discussion is nuanced and includes specific research papers and statistics.
• The video announces the launch of a premium channel for the Huberman Lab podcast, where listeners can ask questions and receive in-depth answers from the host.

The Structure of Cannabis Plants

• There are three major strains of cannabis: sativa, indica, and ruderalis.
• Sativa and indica are the two main strains consumed for medicinal and recreational purposes.
• Sativa plants tend to be taller and have longer leaves, while indica plants are shorter and stout.
• Different plants within a strain interact with one another and bring different elements of the psychoactive compounds to different components within the leaves and buds.
• When consumed, both sativa and indica varieties can affect the brain and body in different ways.

The Effects of Sativa and Indica on the Brain and Body

• Sativa varieties create a high and act as a stimulant, making people feel invigorated and alert.
• Sativa varieties tend to make people feel less susceptible to pain and noxious stimuli.
• Indica varieties lead to more full-bodied effects and a sedative effect, making people feel more relaxed and complete.
• The effects of sativa and indica can vary from one individual to the next.
• The major effect of sativa varieties is to create a high and act as a stimulant, while the major effect of indica varieties is to lead to more full-bodied effects and a sedative effect.

The Recreational Use of Cannabis

• Cannabis is often prescribed or used in the recreational context for pain management and relief.
• The sativa variety is known to include a sort of head-biased effect, leading to a head-centered high, alertness, focus, and a sense of creativity.
• The Indica variety tends to lead to more full-bodied effects, making people feel more relaxed and complete.
• The psychoactive components of indica and sativa tend to lead to different subjective effects, which can vary from one individual to the next.
• The major difference between sativa and indica is the type of effects they produce on the brain and body.

The Different Compounds in Cannabis

• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes the "high" effect.
• CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-psychoactive compound in cannabis that has potential therapeutic benefits, such as reducing anxiety and inflammation.
• Various strains: Different types of cannabis plants with varying levels of THC, CBD, and other compounds that produce distinct effects on the brain and body.

Sativa and Indica Varieties

• Sativa: A variety of cannabis that causes more of an elevated mood and a head-high effect, often used for recreational purposes.
• Indica: A variety of cannabis that causes more of a full-body relaxation effect, often used for medicinal purposes.

Hybrid Strains

• Hybrid strains: A combination of sativa and indica varieties, with varying levels of THC and CBD that produce distinct effects on the brain and body.

Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 Strains

• Type 1 strains: A strain that has the greatest amount of THC relative to CBD, often producing a more stimulant-like effect.
• Type 2 strains: A strain that has less THC and more CBD, often producing a more relaxed effect.
• Type 3 strains: A strain that is very high in CBD and very little THC, often producing a more relaxed effect.

Categorization of Cannabis

• Cannabis can be categorized into sativa, indica, type 1, type 2, and type 3 based on the amount of THC and CBD present.
• Sativa and indica are the two main types of cannabis, with type 1 being THC dominant, type 2 having equal ratios of THC and CBD, and type 3 being high CBD.
• THC is the dominant psychoactive compound in cannabis, while CBD has other effects mainly on the body but not so much on the brain and modes of thinking and mood.

Importance of Understanding Cannabis

• Understanding the categorization of cannabis is important to predict its effects.
• Cannabis has different compounds, such as THC, CBD, and various strains, and their potential benefits and hazards.
• Cannabis can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and other ailments, as well as its impact on creativity and different modes of thinking.

Sponsorship

• The video is sponsored by Athletic Greens, a vitamin mineral probiotic drink that covers all of your foundational nutritional needs.
• The host takes Athletic Greens twice a day for gut health and other benefits.
• Athletic Greens contains a number of adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals that make sure that all of the host's foundational nutritional needs are met.

Discussion on Cannabis

• The discussion on cannabis resembles the discussion on nicotine, which is one of the most commonly used drugs.
• Caffeine is another commonly used drug, but it doesn't quite rise to the list of addictive drugs like nicotine and cannabis.
• Nicotine from tobacco binds the nicotinic receptor in the brain and body with much greater affinity than other chemicals, creating a state of focus.

What are Ligands?

• A chemical that binds to a receptor in the brain or body
• Cannabis contains compounds that bind to these receptors
• Endogenous ligands are chemicals made naturally within the body
• Endogenous cannabinoids are released in specific ways and bind to receptors
• Endogenous cannabinoids have many different effects on the brain and body

What are Cannabinoid Receptors?

• Cannabinoid receptors are receptors in the brain and body that bind cannabis
• The brain and body have evolved to make use of endogenous chemicals
• Endogenous chemicals lead to certain effects in the brain and body
• THC and CBD are substances in cannabis that bind to these receptors
• THC and CBD exert a vastly greater potency and effect on mood and perception than endogenous cannabinoids

What are Endogenous Cannabinoids?

• Endogenous cannabinoids are chemicals released in specific ways in the brain and body
• Endogenous cannabinoids bind to receptors and cause changes in mood, appetite, etc.
• Endogenous cannabinoids have many different effects on the brain and body
• THC and CBD are substances in cannabis that bind to these receptors
• THC and CBD exert a vastly greater potency and effect on mood and perception than endogenous cannabinoids

What are Hormones?

• Hormones are chemicals that bind to receptors in the brain and body
• Hormones have effects on cells in the brain and body
• Testosterone and estrogen are examples of hormones that bind to receptors
• Synthetic versions of hormones can have super physiological effects on receptors
• Many people mistakenly think that plant compounds are safer for us than synthetic versions

The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body

• THC and CBD when brought into the brain and body by smoking or edibles bind to endogenous cannabinoid receptors.
• These receptors are responsible for mood, energy, creativity, relaxation, and other functions.
• THC and CBD have a thousand-fold greater potency than endogenous cannabinoids, which can lead to a dependence on cannabis.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can no longer have their effects when people ingest cannabis, leading to heightened levels of anxiety, disrupted mood, and brain state.
• Cannabis can be effective in some contexts, but it can also create massive suffering in other contexts due to its impact on endogenous cannabinoid systems.

Endogenous Cannabinoid Systems

• Endogenous cannabinoid systems are chemical substances that everyone makes from birth until death.
• The impact and biological functions of these systems depend on whether or not they are used to park in receptors or strongly activate them using external sources like cannabis THC, etc.
• The two main endogenous cannabinoids are anandamide (eae) and arachidonoylglycerol (2ag).
• Endogenous cannabinoids are released from neurons, which are nerve cells that contain little vesicles full of neurotransmitters.

The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body

• Cannabis contains various compounds, including THC, CBD, and different strains, which can have different effects on the brain and body.
• THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes the "high" feeling, while CBD is non-psychoactive and has potential therapeutic benefits.
• Different strains of cannabis can have varying levels of THC and CBD, leading to different effects on the brain and body.
• Cannabis can affect creativity and different modes of thinking, although more research is needed to fully understand these effects.
• Cannabis can also be used to treat anxiety, depression, and other ailments, although more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks.

Neurotransmission and Cannabis

• Neurotransmission is the process by which neurons communicate with each other, and cannabis can affect this process in various ways.
• Endogenous cannabinoids are chemicals that are released from the postsynaptic side of neurons and can regulate the levels of neurotransmitters.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can decrease the probability that a neuron will release neurotransmitters, leading to a decrease in communication between neurons.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can also strengthen the connections between neurons through a process called long-term potentiation (LTP) or weaken the connections through a process called long-term depression (LTD).

Endogenous Cannabinoids and Memory

• Disruptions in short-term memory are a commonly known feature of cannabis and marijuana consumption.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can lead to strengthening of connections between neurons through LTP, which can improve memory.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can also lead to weakening of connections between neurons through LTD, which can impair memory.
• More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which cannabis affects memory.

Endogenous Cannabinoids and Depression

• Endogenous cannabinoids can either increase or decrease the probability that a given connection between neurons will function more or less.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can lead to decreases in synaptic transmission, which can make someone's mood lower or make them less hungry.
• Endogenous cannabinoids can also lead to increases in synaptic transmission, which can improve mood or increase the likelihood that someone will talk a certain way or behave a certain way.
• More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between endogenous cannabinoids and depression.

Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptors

• There are two types of endogenous cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2.
• CB1 is highly enriched in the nervous system, especially within the brain, while CB2 is largely located on tissues outside the nervous system.
• CB1 is involved in various functions, including mood regulation, memory, and pain perception, while CB2 is involved in immune system regulation and inflammation.
• More research is needed to fully understand the functions of CB1 and CB2 and their potential therapeutic benefits and risks.

The Effects of Cannabis on the Body

• Cannabis affects the body including the immune system, liver, genitals, and other organs.
• Endogenous cannabinoids have effects on neurons, immune cells, reproductive organs, liver, and digestion.
• The nervous system is controlling everything in the body and everything is feeding back to the nervous system.
• CB1 receptors are mainly in the nervous system and CB2 receptors are mainly in the body.
• Endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol impact CB1 and CB2 receptors.

The Major Effects of Cannabis on CB1 Receptors

• The effects of the CB1 receptor being occupied by THC or CBD are not very nuanced.
• THC and CBD are very strong and park in the receptor with such affinity, force, and precision.
• THC and CBD completely outcompete the endogenous cannabinoid system in the body.
• THC and CBD can cause problems of various kinds when they leave the endogenous cannabinoid system dysfunctional.

The Effects of Cannabis on the Brain

• Cannabis is very fast to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain and permeate throughout the brain and body.
• The effects of cannabis peak at about 30 to 60 minutes after bringing the compounds into the body.
• The effects of cannabis tend to last anywhere from three to four hours.
• THC and CBD are highly lipophilic and can pass through fatty tissues.

The Effects of Cannabis on the Brain and Body

• THC and CBD are highly lipophilic and can get into essentially all cells just by flowing into them.
• Cannabis can be detected in the body for at least 80 days after ingestion.
• Cannabis can impact the signaling between neurons and lead to the subjective effects of THC and CBD.
• Sativa varieties of cannabis tend to make people feel happy, energetic, and increase focus.
• Indica varieties of cannabis tend to make people feel relaxed and sedated.

The Effects of Cannabis on the Brain

• CB1 receptors are present on an enormous number of different neurons and brain structures.
• Sativa varieties of cannabis increase CB1 activation in the prefrontal cortex and other circuitry.
• THC and CBD bind to CB1 receptors in the prefrontal cortex and increase transmission and the release of neurotransmitters.
• THC and CBD can also bind to CB1 receptors in other brain structures such as the amygdala.

The Effects of Cannabis on the Body

• Cannabis can be detected in the body for at least 80 days after ingestion.
• Cannabis can impact the signaling between neurons and lead to the subjective effects of THC and CBD.

The Effects of Cannabis on Anxiety and Depression

• Cannabis can impact the signaling between neurons and lead to the subjective effects of THC and CBD.
• Sativa varieties of cannabis tend to make people feel happy and energetic.
• Indica varieties of cannabis tend to make people feel relaxed and sedated.

The Effects of Cannabis on Creativity and Different Modes of Thinking

• Sativa varieties of cannabis tend to increase people's level of focus to particular things.
• Indica varieties of cannabis tend to make people feel relaxed and sedated.

Watch the video on YouTube:
The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body | Huberman Lab Podcast #92 - YouTube