Nootropics To Reverse Cognitive Damage From Cannabis Use

I shot a video recently which did quite well in terms of views and engagement. The video was on the topic of Cannabis and the negative consequences it can have on the brain. In particular, significant impairments to short term memory have been observed across scientific literature. Since I have recently been using small amounts of Cannabis (in the form of delicious edibles) I became interested in how THC and CBD effected the brain. Subjectively I have noticed my cognition worsens when using Cannabis. Even the day after ingesting Cannabis my brain is sluggish and I perceive a slight Depression in mood. My investigations led me down a number of interesting rabbit holes.

Cannabis is anticholinergic

The first clue I picked up regarding Cannabis and how it relates to mental functioning was its pharmacology. I will quote from the following journal:

Apart from bringing about euphoric feeling, its utilization would also result in significant anticholinergic effects. The anticholinergic effects have been postulated to be responsible for the cognitive deficits arising from the consumption of cannabis. Other hormones, such as the luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and growth hormone production are also affected.

THC (the psychoactive component of Cannabis) is anticholinergic. In the brain, there is a neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is crucial to brain cognition and especially to memory. Anticholinergics are compounds which block the action potential of Acetylcholine. Anticholinergics are prescribed in a medical setting for a number of conditions and produce similar side effects to Cannabis. These side effects include dry mouth, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems.

Choline supplementation

Supplementing with a high quality Choline source is crucial to give the brain proper building blocks for Acetylcholine production. A popular source of Choline is Alpha-GPC. Alpha-GPC has high bio availability and improves memory. Other notable effects include increased physical power output.

CDP-Choline and Choline bitartrate are other forms of Choline you can take. Choline Bitartrate is the least bioavailable form of Choline and therefore the least efficient. CDP-Choline and Alpha GPC are pro drugs for other compounds which also contribute to brain function. In the brain, CDP-Choline is broken down into Uridine which has its own downstream benefits to brain performance. Specifically, Uridine modulates the Dopamine system in some interesting ways. With higher quality sources of Choline like CDP-Choline and Alpha-GPC you get multiple benefits.

COX2 inhibitors

From this journal:

Since its discovery in the early 1990s, COX-2 has emerged as a major player in inflammatory reactions in peripheral tissues. By extension, COX-2 expression in brain has been associated with pro-inflammatory activities, thought to be instrumental in neurodegenerative processes of several acute and chronic diseases.

Cannabis increases COX-2 in the brain. COX-2 is an inflammatory signal. Inflammatory responses in the brain contribute to neurodegenerative disease and cognitive impairment. COX-2 inhibitors like over-the-counter NSAIDs (Ibuprofen) can reduce this Cannabis induced inflammatory process. Taking Ibuprofen before or after using Cannabis can greatly reduce the severity of these negative cognitive consequences. Taking Ibuprofen the day after you use Cannabis improves cognition relatively quickly and lifts the fog. Paired up with a high quality source of Choline and you’re talking about complete and total recovery. This combo is perhaps the cheapest and most effective method of improving brain performance when Cannabis is consumed frequently.

REM sleep

Cannabis reduces REM sleep. REM sleep is the stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and dreams. The brain is highly active during this stage of the sleep process. REM sleep is responsible for encoding new memories into the brain. Without proper REM sleep memory begins to suffer and it becomes difficult to remember events from days before. During REM sleep Acetylcholine activity is high while other neurotransmitter activity is low. THCs anticholinergic properties are to blame here. Once again, taking supplemental Choline at night could be a possible solution. Aniracetam has also been shown to improve REM sleep under specific circumstances but more studies are needed to prove its efficacy.

Conclusion

I highly recommend checking out Smarter Cannabis. In the book I outline everything you need to know about maintaining brain function while using Cannabis.

While Cannabis remains an effective treatment option for certain conditions it is certainly not without consequences. Cannabis impairs the cognition of the user through anticholinergic mechanisms, reduces REM sleep, and increases brain inflammation through COX-2 uptake. Certain supplements like Ibuprofen (COX-2 inhibitor) and Nootropics like Alpha-GPC (Cholinergic) can help mitigate the negative effects of Cannabis to some degree. Like all compounds, moderation is key. Cannabis should be moderated and consumed in the appropriate amounts/frequencies as determined by your subjective experience.