Cannabis has always been shrouded in misconceptions. Today, we’re going to address one of the most notorious: does THC kill brain cells? The short answer is no. We don’t have any SOLID evidence showing the intoxicating compound in cannabis can kill your brain cells.
Enjoying cannabis, be it for real therapeutic reasons or just for fun, is not going to make you “dumber.” But that doesn’t mean it’s without its risks. There are a few things you need to be aware of if you’re going to make cannabis a regular part of your self-care routine.
We’ll cover all this below and dispel all the myths you’ve heard about THC. You’ll also learn where you can find the best selection of delta 9 products for sale online, right here at MUNCHIES!
Key Takeaways
- Monkeys were suffocated with smoke in a 1974 study, and the outcomes were wrongfully attributed to THC.
- Short-term memory and processing speed can be affected during and after THC use. These effects appear to be reversible, though.
- The connection between THC and IQ is linked to younger brains, which is why you have to be of legal age to purchase cannabis products.
- Some cannabinoids actually appear to have neuroprotective properties!
- Consumption method and dose matter more than THC itself when it comes to risk management.
- MUNCHIES! makes the best edibles, vapes, and pre-rolls on the market. Legal, lab-tested, and ready to ship to your door.
What is THC?
There are many different types of THC, but for the sake of this conversation, we’ll zero in on delta 9 THC. This is the “real deal,” so to speak. It’s what most people mean when they just say “THC.”
It can be found in both hemp and marijuana and is best known for its intoxicating effects. That euphoric high. But THC also has well-documented therapeutic effects. It can support better sleep, ease physical discomfort, melt away stress, enhance creativity, and much, much more.
The way THC works is by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a network of receptors (CB1 and CB2) located throughout the body and brain. The specific receptor activated influences the specific response. That’s why THC is able to do so many things.
That being said, you’ve probably heard all sorts of awful things about what THC can do to you - including making you slower, lazier, and flat-out dumber. Is it true? Does THC kill brain cells?
Does THC Kill Brain Cells?
We can trace back this asinine claim to a study conducted in 1974. Dr. Robert Heath exposed a bunch of monkeys to cannabis smoke and found that they ended up with structural brain damage. The Reagan administration ran with it as part of their “war on drugs.”
The reason we find this all so laughable is because of the nuance in the study. Heath forced the monkeys to inhale the equivalent of 60 joints in around 5 minutes, through gas masks, with no supplemental oxygen.
Animal cruelty aside, this is just a ridiculous study. Of course the monkeys ended up with brain damage - their brains were quite literally starved of oxygen for an extended period of time!
Scientists started realizing how foolish it was to spew misinformation from this one study. So, they tried to conduct other experiments showing THC killed brain cells - using more legitimate parameters. The problem was, they couldn’t do it. Two separate follow-up studies exposed primates to daily cannabis use in much safer conditions. There were no signs of brain damage.
A more recent 2015 study published in The Journal of Neuroscience analyzed daily marijuana users with high-resolution MRI. There was zero statistically significant difference in brain volume or shape in the hippocampus and amygdala or in the cerebellum when alcohol use was controlled for.1
So, does THC kill brain cells? At this point, saying it does is a reach. Even neuroscientist Dr. Adie Rae says that “plant-based cannabinoids appear to do the opposite” of causing neurotoxicity.4 Rae says that many cannabinoids are “actually neuroprotective, meaning they turn on healthy cellular processes like antioxidation rather than stimulating the cellular processes that lead to cell death.”4
Potential Side Effects of Long-Term Cannabis Use
We’re not saying daily cannabis use doesn’t have any long-term implications. Honestly, there are side effects of even one-time cannabis use. The most common complaint is getting “too high.” It’s not dangerous whatsoever, but it certainly isn’t very fun.
That being said, there are connections between brain function and daily cannabis use. It appears that THC affects how neurons communicate, impairing short-term memory and slowing processing speed. For what it’s worth, though, these effects are reversible in adults who stop using cannabis.
The bigger concern is in youth using cannabis while the brain is still developing. This is a very real risk. A study published in PNAS followed over 1,000 people who used cannabis from birth to age 38. Those who started using cannabis before the age of 18 had an average IQ decline of 8 points. That decline did not appear to fully recover after quitting.2 Adults who started at an older age did not have the same decline.
Key takeaway - minors should not use cannabis. You probably already knew that, though.
Possible Therapeutic Benefits of THC (and Other Cannabinoids)
So much has been said about the harm cannabis can cause. We don’t think it gets nearly enough credit for what it can do. It’s a relatively low-risk form of self-care, be it for easing physical tension or calming a racing mind. It has so much therapeutic value.
But let’s zero in on just the potential neuroprotective effects it can have, since people say it’s “bad for your brain.” A 2016 study from the Salk Institute found some pretty exciting stuff. Exposing nerve cells to THC lowered amyloid beta protein levels, the key marker of Alzheimer's disease.3 Meanwhile, THC lowered the inflammatory response of the proteins triggered so nerve cells could survive!
Lead researcher Dr. David Schubert said that “THC-like compounds that the nerve cells make themselves may be involved in protecting the cells from dying.”
How You Use Cannabis Matters!
Cannabis isn’t going to make you dumber, but you should still be more intentional in how you use it. Obviously using a gas mask isn’t a great idea - you’ll end up just like those monkeys. There are three main ways we recommend enjoying cannabis:
Vapes
Probably our own personal favorite for a quick buzz at a moment’s notice. Super discreet and easy to take anywhere since they fit in your pocket. Plus, vapes aren’t combusting anything, so there are fewer byproducts entering your system. We have some great delta 9 vapes at MUNCHIES!
Edibles
The go-to for long-lasting relief when you want to completely take your lungs out of the equation. Effects build slowly over a 45-60 minute ramp-up period, and the peak comes around the 60-90 minute mark for most people. The whole experience can last 4-8 hours.
The other benefit of edibles is dosing precision. Our THC edibles range from full-strength gummies down to microdose gummies at 2.5mg per piece so you can control your experience.
Pre-Rolls
The classic way to consume cannabis - but beware that smoking anything is inherently harmful for the lungs. It’s up to you to decide if the respiratory concerns are worth it or not. MUNCHIES! is also your one-stop shop for THCA pre-rolls online.
Shop the Full Range at MUNCHIES!
No matter what vibe you’re going for, you’ll find it here at MUNCHIES! From chill nighttime blends to uplifting daytime products, there’s something for everyone. All legal, lab-tested, and ready to ship right to your doorstep. Shop now and see what we have in store for you!
Frequently asked questions
Does THC stop brain development?
Only in younger individuals. This is why there’s a minimum age to purchase cannabis products online or in dispensaries.
Does THC change your brain chemistry permanently?
It doesn’t appear to be permanent. Studies have shown the brain can rebound. At least, that’s the case in adults. Brains that are still developing are another story.
Does THC cause permanent memory loss?
It appears to be short-term memory loss that goes away when you stop using cannabis. Not permanent.
Related Resources
THCA vs delta 8 | How long does a pen high last?
References
- Weiland BJ, Thayer RE, Depue BE, et al. Daily Marijuana Use Is Not Associated with Brain Morphometric Measures in Adolescents or Adults. J Neurosci. 2015;35(4):1505-1512. PubMed
- Meier MH, Caspi A, Ambler A, et al. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. PNAS. 2012;109(40):E2657-E2664. PubMed
- Currais A, Quehenberger O, Armando AM, et al. Amyloid proteotoxicity initiates an inflammatory response blocked by cannabinoids. npj Aging Mech Dis. 2016;2:16012. DOI
- Rae A, quoted in "Does Weed Kill Brain Cells?" Weedmaps. 2020 (updated 2026). Weedmaps
