According to a new university research study, marijuana is actually beneficial for your long term memory and may help prevent Alzheimer’s. 

From the article:

Scientists from Ohio State University report that marijuana, contrary to the conventional wisdom,  may help ward off Alzheimer’s and keep recall sharp. Their findings, released today at the Society for Neuroscience meeting in Washington D.C.:  chemical components  of marijuana reduce inflammation and stimulate the production of new brain cells, thereby enhancing memory. 

Does using cannabis affect your IQ? According to this peer-reviewed study, yes—however, the change is marginal and the direction may surprise you. In any case, cannabis use does not have a permanent effect on IQ and a couple months of abstinence should return even the heaviest of smokers to full cognitive function.

I found these two studies a while back while I was searching for evidence of a link between marijuana smoking and lung cancer. Basically, the concept is that even though smoke in general is carcinogenic, the cannabinoids in marijuana exert various protective effects and inhibit tumor growth. If you know of any additional studies which—with sound methodology—either affirm or negate what I have posted, please share them by commenting below.

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—The Association Between Marijuana Smoking and Lung Cancer | (PDF)

—Marijuana Use and the Risk of Lung and Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers: Results of a Population-Based Case-Control Study | (PDF)

The following is what a friend of mine wrote in one sitting after considering the manifold effects of marijuana on the senses. For context, the writer is currently a student at a prestigious university in the southern US, and he enjoys his high quality marijuana very much.

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Marijuana as a sensory enhancer.

The psychoactive and euphoric effects of marijuana are caused by THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other cannabinoids. One will often notice while on this chemical, food tastes better, music sounds better, movies are better, running is better, etc. Everything is simply better, but why?

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