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What you should know about Cannabis
This page will talk you through the myths surrounding cannabis and how it impacts different parts of your brain. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service. Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk.
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Endocannabinoid System and the brain
Your brain is made up of billions of cells that send messages to each other all the time. These messages help control how your body works and how you think, feel, and act.
You also have something called the endocannabinoid system. It's part of your body that helps keep everything balanced, like your mood, memory, appetite, and even how you feel pain. It works by making natural chemicals called cannabinoids, which attach to tiny spots on your brain cells called receptors.
These natural cannabinoids help your brain cells turn "up" or "down" activity in different parts of the brain, depending on what your body needs. This system works smoothly on its own. Helping you feel and function normally.
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What happens when you use cannabis (get high)?
When we use cannabis, we flood our brains with extra cannabinoids. Cannabinoids like THC are not the same as those our bodies make but are similar enough to bind to our receptors. This throws the endocannabinoid system out of balance, which is what causes the "high".
When you use cannabis regularly, your brain gets used to the extra cannabinoids and tries to adapt. This means you'll need more cannabis to feel the same effect (that's called tolerance). If you stop using, your body can struggle to find it's balance again. That's why people sometimes get withdrawal symptoms, like:
Headaches, chills, sweating or stomach pain
Feeling moody, angry, anxious or down
Trouble sleeping
Not feeling hungry
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) can happen to people who use cannabis a lot over a long time. It causes nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain that can come and go. The exact reason it happens isn’t fully known and the only way to get better is to stop using cannabis. The symptoms usually go away after quitting, but it can take weeks or months to feel completely normal again.
How cannabis affects different parts of your brain
Hover over the boxes below to see more details.
Motivation and pleasure (Nucleus Accumbens)
Cannabis can make things feel funnier or more interesting than usual.
Decision making & thinking (Neocortex)
Cannabis can make it harder to focus, think clearly, or make good decisions.
Cannabis can make it harder to remember things or make new memories.
Memory (Hippocampus)
Movement planning (Basal Ganglia)
Cannabis can make your reactions slow down.
Cannabis may make you feel clumsier or less in control of your movements.
Coordination and Balance (Cerebellum)
Cannabis might make you feel extra hungry (aka “the munchies”).
Hunger control (Hypothalamus)
Pain and body functions (Brain Stem & Spine)
Cannabis can reduce pain and stop you from feeling like you need to be sick.
Stress emotions - fight or flight (Amygdala)
Cannabis may make you feel anxious, paranoid or panicky.
Drawings by Sam Pearson.
Myths
Below are some myths about cannabis that we hear often from young people. Hover over the myth to see the truth.
“Cannabis isn’t harmful, it’s natural, so it’s fine.”
Cannabis can cause harm, especially for young people under the age of 25 because your brain is still developing. It can affect your memory, motivation, and mood and in some cases, it can lead to anxiety, paranoia or worsen mental health. Some people develop a dependency where they feel they must use it every day and get withdrawal symptoms when they stop such as low mood, sleep problems, feeling irritable, loss of appetite or problems regulating your body temperature.
Myth 1
“Cannabis helps everyone chill out.”
While it might relax some people in the in the short term, it can make anxiety worse for others, and long-term use can impact motivation and mental health.
Myth 2
“Cannabis is legal if you have a small amount on you for personal use"
Cannabis is not legal in the UK, even if you only have a small amount for personal use. It is classed as a Class B drug, and being caught with it can still get you into trouble and the police will confiscate it. You could receive a police caution, be arrested or have a criminal record. For under 18’s, the police are allowed to tell your parent/carers that you’ve been caught with drugs.
Myth 3
“It’s fine to drive after using cannabis. It doesn’t affect you like alcohol does.”
Driving high is dangerous and illegal. Cannabis can seriously impair your reaction time, focus, coordination, and ability to judge distance and speed.
That means if you get into a car with someone who has used cannabis, even if they feel okay, their brain and body aren’t working at full capacity. This could lead to a crash that harms you, your friends, or someone else.
Myth 4
THC Vapes
THC vapes are vapes or e-cigarettes that contain THC or THC-like substances. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis - it's what causes the "high." These devices are designed to heat cannabis concentrates that contain THC, turning them into an inhalable vapour.
Vaping THC may produce faster and stronger highs compared to smoking the same amount, this can increase the chance of adverse effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, dizziness and nausea.
THC vapes and liquids are illegal and unregulated. Pure THC oil can be expensive so dealers may dilute or replace THC oil with the cheaper substances such as synthetic cannabinoids (spice) or synthetic opioids (nitazenes) and additives which can be extremely harmful, heavy metals, and oils). Metals and particles inhaled into the lungs cause inflammation and long-term harm - there is no quality control or lab testing.
Psychotic disorders linked to THC use:
Frequent high dose use particularly in young people and those genetically predisposed is linked to a higher risk of psychotic disorders. The risk of psychotic disorders developing increases with how young the user is, frequency of use and potency of THC.
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Stay Safe Tips For You and Your Mates
If you decide to use cannabis, it’s important to know there are always risks. The only way to completely avoid these risks is to not use cannabis. But if you do decide to use it, keep these tips in mind:
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Holding cannabis smoke in your lungs does not get you any higher. THC is absorbed quickly in the lungs, holding smoke in only increases the amount of tar and other harmful chemicals retained in the lungs.
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Cannabis comes in varying strains and strengths so your experience on cannabis can differ each time you use. Start by using a small amount and wait for the effects to kick in before deciding whether to use more.
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Avoid using cannabis when you are feeling low or stressed. Cannabis may provide a short-term relief, but after the effects wear off you may end up feeling anxious or paranoid.
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Regular cannabis use can impact sleep and appetite. At first, it might seem to help you relax, fall asleep, or increase appetite. Over time your brain adjusts by reducing the sensitivity of its cannabinoid receptors. This leads to tolerance - you need more cannabis to get the same effects, when you stop, you might experience trouble sleeping or loss of appetite until your body readjusts.
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Take regular breaks from using as the habit can build and form quickly. These breaks can reduce tolerance and reliance on the substance. If you find this difficult then it may be a good time to reach out for support.
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Do not mix with other drugs as this can negatively impact your experience, intensify side effects and increase the risk of you coming to harm. Mixing cannabis with alcohol increases the chances of “spinning out” and vomiting.
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Regularly clean out any bongs or paraphernalia. These can be breeding grounds for bacteria if not properly looked after.
Young People's Stories
Hear from young people in our service about the impact of Cannabis use on their life.
Cannabis Website Video (1)
Video
Prefer watching instead of reading? Check out this short video about Cannabis to see how it affects people and get the facts you need.
Cannabis - Respect Your Brain
About
The Matthew Project
If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service.
If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live.
