Presented By: Department of Psychology
Neuroimaging Initiative Talk Series: The effect of cannabis use on brain function and neurochemistry
Sharlene Newman, Executive Director, Alabama Life Research Institute

Cannabis (CB) use has been on the rise in recent years, in part due to the drug’s increased acceptance and shifting status from an illegal to a legal drug in some US states. Cannabis is the most used illicit drug in the United States with the use of synthetic marijuana on the rise. Although there are increases in the use of cannabis, there is still relatively little known about its impact on the brain. In this talk I will discuss possible effects of chronic cannabis use on young adults focusing on neural activation and neurochemistry. I will also discuss some preliminary work suggesting sex differences and potential relationships to psychological disorders.