Does marijuana hinder a person's ability to think rationally?

Answer 1

By the end of the decade one in four new cases of schizophrenia could be triggered by smoking cannabis, scientists say.

Research has suggested that regular users of the drug are up to six times more likely to develop schizophrenia, although whether the drug is the direct cause remains disputed.

The Department of Health says it is now generally agreed among doctors that cannabis is an “important causal factor” in mental illness.

A study published in the journal Addiction predicts that, if the causal link between cannabis use and schizophrenia is accepted, rates of the illness will increase substantially by 2010, especially among young men.

The use of cannabis grew fourfold over the 30 years to 2002, and eighteenfold among under18s, the researchers say.

Such a boom in cannabis use could lead to increases in the number of new cases of schizophrenia of 29 per cent between 1990 and 2010.

Answer 2

The short answer: No.

The long answer: The reason why you ask this is because you probably heard or read somewhere that marijuana damages brain cells, or makes you stupid. These claims are untrue.

The first one -- marijuana kills brain cells -- is based on research done during the second Reefer Madness Movement. A study attempted to show that marijuana smoking damaged brain structures in monkeys. However, the study was poorly performed and it was severely criticized by a medical review board. Studies done afterwards failed to show any brain damage, in fact a very recent study on Rhesus monkeys used technology so sensitive that scientists could actually see the effect of learning on brain cells, and it found no damage.

But this was Reefer Madness II, and the prohibitionists were looking around for anything they could find to keep the marijuana legalization movement in check, so this study was widely used in anti-marijuana propaganda. It was recanted later.

(To this day, the radical anti-drug groups, like P.R.I.D.E. and Dr. Gabriel Nahas, still use it -- In fact, America's most popular drug education program, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, claims that marijuana ``can impair memory perception & judgement by destroying brain cells.'' When police and teachers read this and believe it, our job gets really tough, since it takes a long time to explain to children how Ms. Jones and Officer Bob were wrong.)

The truth is, no study has ever demonstrated cellular damage, stupidity, mental impairment, or insanity brought on specifically by marijuana use -- even heavy marijuana use. This is not to say that it cannot be abused, however.

From personal experience, I'd note that persistent everyday use leads to some kind of "burnout"--people change after years of daily smoking. ****'s scary. But 3 or 4 times a month.. I've noticed that people only get more relaxed and easier to talk to. Check out http://erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Cannabis.shtml

Answer 3

Marijuana, like any drug, causes physical effects on the body. THC, the active drug in marijuana, is a mind altering drug. In light of this evidence, marijuana probably does hinder a person's ability the think rationally.

Answer 4

I don't think that marijuana can bring a major change in the rational thought process, although if you get addicted to its use than it may disrupt not only your rational thought process but many physiological processes with your brain.

This is my opinion and not a scientifically proven fact, please note that marijuana is considered a narcotic drug (soft).

Answer 5

Absolutely, there's just no doubt about the impaired effect marijuana has on ones judgment and other cognitive functions of the brain.

Answer 6

i smoke marijuana on a regular basis, brought up two healthy children, went back to school and got both my BA and MA in English, and have taught at the college level for seven years now.

As of this date no one has ever accused me of being irrational.

Answer 7

No. It makes people think it is time to have fun, and quit worrying about the BS going on in the world. Eat, and be merry! I wish I liked the stuff.

Answer 8

While under it's influence, yes. Possibly for several hours afterwards as well. Long-term effects appear to be comparable to alcohol.

Answer 9

No it just mellows out the irrationial!

Answer 10

no, uh, yeah,, oh wait, let me get some chips and dip, mmmm pickles too. god im hungry, oh, what was that you asked? oh, NO< NO it doesnt. doesnt what? hahahahahahahahahahahaha that was sooo funny can you make your face do that again? no it doesnt