NB's Online Blog: Observations about the effects of THC

[Nature Boy]

From my online Bebo blog:

So I go and do a little research about THC's effects on the brain. Turns out that, according to modern science, THC mimmicks the native cannabinoid, anandamide, when activated in the brain. Anandamide's role is to eliminate unnecessary short term memories from the brain - similar to a spam filter, which explains why a lot of people start forgetting things when they first delve into regular and strong cannabis use. I have something of a theory about this.

To people who think that cannabis use effects their memory, especially in regards to study, here's some food for thought. If anandamide erases unneeded memory, this would suggest that THC will not remove any memory that the brain deems important. So in regards to studying, a stoned scholar will overlook anything that he or she does not deem important. Therefore, doesn't it make sense that someone who's stoned while studying will only remember what is interesting to them on a personal level? This would suggest that it applies across the board in any activity, that THC connects with one's emotions and they will only sense and appreciate what they truly want.

Take the whole art/sensory perception theory as an example. If THC appeals to one's brain on an emotional level and blocks out what does not interest them, this could be the reason why many artists, musicians, craftsmen etc. come up with results that satisfy them better when under the influence of THC. It also explains why it may be easier to appreciate art after smoking cannabis. It works on both an appreciative and a creative level.

Now take a secondary school pupil for example. School requires studying many different subjects, many that people do not enjoy, but are still mandatory in Leaving Cert exams. A stoned secondary school student is much less likely to be able to cram in page after page of subject matter that doesn't interest them in the slightest. Could this be one of the reasons, barring maturity, why stoners in schools tend to struggle compared to stoners in colleges, who are studying a more specific subject matter more likely to appeal to them?

There may however be a way of combatting this "stoner's short attention span" as I will call it. If you smoke a lot, and don't intend to quit, you have to adapt a more focused and stimulating method of study in order to succeed. It's well known that visual study aids, rather than just large blocks of text, help people remember things. Try adapting some of that into your study routine. Once you've dealt with the uninteresting topics, get bombed and focus on something that you are deeply interested in, it could produce some amazing results.

Cannabis should not be under-estimated as a drug. It produces the ability to question authority, question life's systematic blandness, allows the mind to develop in a way that truly serves the individual's own personal process of thoughts. That is a great power to behold once you know how to use it. Happy tokin' folks.

Any thoughts or comments? I would like to hear what people think about this.

PS: This was written shortly after replying to this thread.