Answer to your Question

Answered By: Addiction Specialist

Answer: Intoxication with marijuana is known to impair concentration and short term memory. The neurochemical mechanism by which the active substances in marijuana do this are not well understood. What is known is that there are receptors in the brain and peripheral nervous system that THC (the primary active substance in marijuana) fits into and activates called cannabinoid receptors (this name is in fact derived from Cannibus, Latin for marijuana). The natural substance in the body that fits into and activates these receptors is called anandamide. One study has shown that when anandamide is administered to rats, it impairs their memory, so it makes sense that THC would impair memory in rats and theoretically humans as well. None of this explains why anandamide and THC impair memory, but this will likely one day be discovered too.

Answered on: May 13, 2009