Chronic Effects of Cannabis on Human Memory - Research Proposal Example

Effect of Cannabis The broad range of herbal products in the society finds a variety of uses in the world population. Cannabis, giseng and others have proved useful in various areas such as medicine and traditional practices. Cannabis has been found to have serious implications for memory in man as established by various research studies (Healy, 2012). This proposed research study will focus on the chronic effects of cannabis on memory. The study will be inspired by related literature and available research findings. It will be based on an efficient methodology to collect and analyze data related to the research topic and involved variables. The findings of the research will be shared with the public. Chronic effects of cannabis on human memory Introduction The society has been keen to exploit the range of herbal products offered by Mother Nature for purposes that cut across recreation, medicine, and traditional practices. Researchers have proved through studies and experiments that herbal products like ginko Biloba can improve the power of concentration of an individual while giseng, a different herbal product, works well to sharpen memory (BBC, 2000). The range of herbal products would be used to better performance among learners as some are used to treat neurological disorders. Cannabis, botanically referred to as Cannabis sativa (National-Institute-on-drug-abuse, 2015), is also an herbal product that has found a whole range of uses. It has been used for entertainment and in medicine (Smith, 2014). This research study will focus on the implications of cannabis on an individual in the short and the long run. The study will serve to establish the chronic effects of cannabis on memory in humans (CSAM, 2014). Societies across the globe are known to abuse the product while ignoring long-term effects of the product in the event of addiction (unit, 2015), (Filbey, 2014)). The research will offer evidence-based results on the chronic effects of the product in the human brain in terms of memory. Statement of purpose The drive of this study is to establish the chronic effects of cannabis use on memory in human. The study will work to establish the particular part of the brain that is affected and how exactly that alters the memory of the individual. The study will identify the particular constituent of cannabis in the form of cannabinoids that has ability to impair and alter individual’s cognitive functioning that includes memory. The research shall be based on data and models established through previous research and studies, as well as gathered quantitative and qualitative data that shall be realized in this particular research. Research Question The focus question of the research study is: what are the chronic effects of cannabis on memory in human? There are numerous problems that stem from the main question, offer guidance to the research study, and include: 1. What are the underpinning factors behind the choice to use cannabis among individuals? 2. What are the society’s general perception and attitude towards cannabis? 3. How do different age limits fair when it comes to cannabis use as reflected by various statistics? 4. Is the government involved in monitoring the use of cannabis as much as the society would find it appropriate? 5. What parameters are there to monitor the extent of consumption of cannabis in the society? 6. What are the physical symptoms of the effects of cannabis use? 7. What does research say about the implications of cannabis use on the brain? 8. How long does the effect take to be identified? 9. Which part of the brain is affected? 10. Is the condition permanent or reversible? 11. What is the function of cannabis in the field of medicine? 12. What are the impacts of cannabis use on the society in general? 13. Should the government formulate more stringent measures to monitor use of cannabis? Literature review There is a great deal of literature that cuts across the research topic, and Wayne Hall and Nadia Solowij address the adverse effects of cannabis on the health of an individual (Solowij, 1998). They consider among other areas, the cognitive effects of use of cannabis in the long run. They assert that cannabis is not as severe in impairing memory as alcohol does. The length of time in which cannabis is used defines the extent of cognitive impairment. It affects memory, organization and integration of complex data, and attention (Solowij, 1998). Heavy use would affect the endogenous cannabinoid system that has a special role in memory and other areas like attention and emotions control. Hall and Nadia cite some chronic effects of cannabis use as impaired memory and attention when the user remains in the state of chronic intoxication. These impairments have adverse effects on performance among youths and other users in the academic arena (Giovanni Battistella, 2014). The condition could be having chances of reversibility on prolonged abstinence (Solowij, 1998). Hall and Nadia offer a clear insight into the implications of the drug on the user in the long term, but they address short-term effects in a narrow perspective. Though they feature some other elements and conduct some comparison between cannabis and other drugs, they do not provide a basis for reference by the society and government for approval or disapproval of the use of cannabis. Robert Battisti and Solowij Nadia address the topic from a different angle. They examine the role of endogenous cannabinoid system (CBS) in memory (Battisti, 2008). CBS has a leading role in memory. It is a system of receptors located in the region of the brain that is involved in memory. Cannabinoids have an effect on synaptic plasticity involved in learning and memory (Battisti, 2008). Research confirmed that cannabinoids have the potential to induce long-term deficits in spatial learning and memory as revealed by a test performed on lab rats. Battist charges that intensive measures reveal that cannabis affect some parts of the brain that have key roles in learning and memory (Rocchetti et al., 2013), (Amresh Shrivastava, 2011). The hippocampal amygdala regions of the brain tend to reduce in volume signaling a reduced number of brain cells (Battisti, 2008). Heavy users of cannabis were found to suffer more in reduced brain structure. Battist considers age as a factor in establishing the magnitude of the damage. Adolescent happen to be under the stage of significant neurodevelopment (Grotenhermen & Müller-Vahl, 2002). Early exposure to cannabis alter the brain matter volume, result in lower percent cortical grey matter, an increase in the percent white matter, and an increase in cerebral blood flow. Battist and Solowij consider factors that many researchers ignore while referring to the chronic effects of cannabis on memory in humans. Having put into account the regions of the brain involved provides a clear insight into the nature of the damage involved an element that would provoke users to stop smoking. Addressing the adverse effects of upon the users in their everyday lives would have revealed what dangers cannabis poses to the society. Methodology Participants The research study will feature students from colleges and other willing members of the society. The participants shall be subdivided into various age brackets to create sources of insight that would reflect how cannabis and memory issues fare with age. Researchers in the field along with clinicians will be involved. Research design Data collection will be based on qualitative and quantitative research methods. Interviews and observations will offer information on usage, the time factor involved, elements of affected memory and notable observable behavior among users. Researchers and clinicians will offer evidence-based data from interaction with patients. Surveys will be used to gather statistics regarding the research topic. Data analysis and interpretation The data gathered will be analyzed to establish reliability and credibility. The data will be inspected to identify key variables that are the target of the research topic. Inferential statistics will offer insight on the connection between memory stability and cannabis use. Regression analysis will address such variables as heavy usage, partial abstinence and prolonged abstinence with respect to memory. The researchers will verify and draw conclusions about the data to establish propositions. Ethics involved Interaction with respondents and participants will observe the accepted general protocols and procedures for data collection, processing and dissemination. The research study and researchers shall be keen to seek consent and observe related ethical issues during the study. The respondents will be assured of privacy, confidentiality and anonymity in handling their data. Their permission shall be considered when sharing information gathered from them in public. Results and Discussion The results will be interpreted to offer an insight into the research topic. The findings on chronic effects on memory in man will be weighed against the findings of related earlier studies and used to address the issue in the society while working closely with researchers and clinicians. The research study has such limitations and weaknesses as assuming that smokers will be willing to come out in public in a society that has criminalized the use of cannabis. Experiences in the field will provide insights on how to hand similar future research study. Documentation and publication of the results for use by the public will be the last stage of the study. Summary Cannabis use has a chronic effect on memory as revealed by various research studies. It affects the regions of the brain involved in learning and memory. Heavy users and light users show the different extent of symptoms as attributed to the effects of use. The methodologies used in the research studies that inspect the variables of this research topic are broad in the sense of the qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results realized are useful in the society and for future research related to the topic at hand. REFERENCES Amresh Shrivastava, M.J.&.M.T., 2011. Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction. Indiana journal of psychiatry, 53(3), pp.187-91. Battisti, N.S.&.R., 2008. The Chronic Effects of Cannabis on Memory in Humans: A Review. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 1, pp.81-98. BBC, 2000. herbal remedies boost brain power. [Online] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/713087.stm [Accessed 25th April 2015]. CSAM, 2014. The Adverse Effects of Marijuana (for healthcare professionals). [Online] Available at: http://www.csam-asam.org/adverse-effects-marijuana-healthcare-professionals [Accessed 25 April 2015]. Filbey, F.M., 2014. Long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain. Crossmark, 111(47), pp.16913-18. Giovanni Battistella, E.F.J.-M.A.H.C.K.D.M.F.B.F.J.-F.M.P.M.&.C.G., 2014. Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on Brain Structure. Neuropsychopharmacology , 39, pp.2041-48. Grotenhermen, F. & Müller-Vahl, K., 2002. "The therapeutic potential of cannabis and cannabinoids. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 109, pp.29-30. Healy, C.P.&.M., 2012. Marijuanas health effects: Memory problems, addiction. [Online] Available at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/06/nih-marijuana-effects/1751011/ [Accessed 25th April 2015]. National-Institute-on-drug-abuse, 2015. Drug Facts: Marijuana. [Online] Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana [Accessed 25th April 2015]. Rocchetti, M. et al., 2013. Is cannabis neurotoxic for the healthy brain? A meta-analytical review of structural brain alterations in non-psychotic users. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 67(7), pp.483-92. Smith, D., 2014. Cannabis and memory loss: dude, wheres my CBD? [Online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2014/jan/17/cannabis-memory-loss-cbd [Accessed 25th April 2015]. Solowij, W.H.&.N., 1998. Adverse effects of cannabis. Lancet journal, 132, pp.1611-16. Unit, I.d.m., 2015. Cannabis use in Britain. [Online] Available at: http://www.idmu.co.uk/cannabis-use-in-britain.htm. Read More