Weed causes temporary decrease in intelligence?

I've been an occasional smoker for 7 months, one or twice a week usually. Lately I've been wondering if weed can cause a temporary decrease in mental ability. I'm very interested in math and science - I get good marks, usually 90s, and I intend on studying physics next year at university. As such, I highly value my mental agility and problemsolving ability. Now it could just be me, but I've noticed that sometimes after I smoke, for about 24-48 hours, I am slightly less able comprehend math and physics problems with my usual ability. Things that I would normally need to push myself to understand become impossible, and easier stuff becomes a real challenge. Again, this may just be me, or the effects of overeating that I usually indulge in when I'm high (normally I try to eat healthy, but I can't resist junk food and refined sugar when I'm stoned).
Anyone have an opinion or suggestion?

I'll agree.

I also started taking vitamin C since I smoke everyday, and the vitamin C tends to rejuvenate my body after a long day of smoking, I sometimes don't know how I went smoking all the time without the C pills, they make me feel very "on my feet" :thumbsup:

I'd say it was a combination of both the pot, and the junk foods.

Lay off the junk food, drink more water, and as Chrons said, maybe a little supplement like Vit C, or maybe a multivitamin.

I've felt "groggy" a day after a heavy smoke session but it's never inhibited my ability to absorb information while I am sober.

Then again I smoke about 2-3 times a day and the effects on me are not as pronounced as they are on you. Also alot of my sides have dissappeared with time such as: munchies, severe couch lock, and red eyes.

I'm not sure if this is because my body has adapted or what.

I would do as norkali suggested. Drink plenty of water, take about 3000mg of vitamin C daily (best if spaced out as 3 seperate doses) also be sure to get plenty of exercise.

I work out daily and it definitely helps me physically as well as mentally (I find I'm able to concentrate easier when I am working out regularly and have my body fat sub 12-11%.)

You may want to look into flax seed oil as well. EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) have been proven to be beneficial to neurons/brain cells. Look for anything with Omega-3, Omega-6 or Omega-9 (preferably all 3). Flax Seed oil is abundant in Omega3 and 9 I believe. A product called Udo's contains all 3.

Alternatively you could just eat a few egg yolks a day and be ok (not the best but it's ok). 2-3 should be good enough.

I think it's all a mindset. When I first started smoking, I'd feel hazy for a little while afterwards, and seemed to occasionally make some pretty incoherent statements. As I kept smoking, and it became a pretty regular routine, I finally started settling into this mindset and developed a somewhat classic stoner personality. (I'm waaay more optimistic about things now, and I worry much less.) Now, when I go a few months without smoking, I get that same awkward feeling that I used to get when I first started. My thinking become less clear, if that makes any sense!

damn, I sure hope it IS only temporary (not that I use my intelligence for anything, anyway) :S2:

First, on what you define "intelligence" as! Now, I am considered to be "intelligent", so I feel my observations should carry some weight.

Last time I was in college, I wrote some pretty good papers, on a variety of subjects, while quite stoned. (I "cleaned them up", when i was straight, however.) Cannabis can be a "mind lubricant", allowing you to make connections that, in a more sober frame of mind, would never be made. My profs loved my "novel takes" on otherwise dull subjects. One said she saved my papers "for dessert"! :thumbsup: (graduated with honors)

Math, on the other hand, was a complete wash-out.:(

And a while ago, a young man on the board said that he credited cannabis with his passing grades. He had test anxiety, and cannabis helped. It certainly raised his GPA!

When it comes to memorization and exacting calculations, cannabis very well may inhibit learning. Yet, in matters requiring creativity and original thinking, cannabis can be an asset. Like most things, it all in how you use it! - Granny:hippy:

After I smoke my mind is very active for about 24 hours. What I've found is that I can't concentrate on school work. My mind keeps wandering off.

The system of homework then smoke works fine though. :D

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Originally Posted by THClord

After I smoke my mind is very active for about 24 hours. What I've found is that I can't concentrate on school work. My mind keeps wandering off.

The system of homework then smoke works fine though. :D

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I was practically the opposite. Smoking is what got me through the numerous short stories, ensuing essays, other tedious mind-draining homework, etc., all throughout college! Luckily, one of my good buddies was in close with a campus dealer, and so there was never a short supply of smoke. Had things been different, I'd have probably flunked most of my boring courses. :jointsmile:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Clandestine

I was practically the opposite. Smoking is what got me through the numerous short stories, ensuing essays, other tedious mind-draining homework, etc., all throughout college! Luckily, one of my good buddies was in close with a campus dealer, and so there was never a short supply of smoke. Had things been different, I'd have probably flunked most of my boring courses. :jointsmile:

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I find that a sativa smoke gives me a great mental high. I can concentrate easier and my attention is more easily focused on one subject. I can do complex math and absorb information I normally wouldn't be able to fully take in while sober(I'm absurdly strong in math and science. Why I became a Network Engineer/Architect I'll never know.)

If I smoke an indica strain or a hybrid (50/50) then I really don't want to do anything except relax and space out.

So I prefer sativa, though around here I take what I can get these days.

Luckily for me 3 out of 5 plants turned sativa dominant (bagseed) and 2 indica.

Let the sativa learning later followed by an indica sleep begin!!!

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Originally Posted by daihashi

If I smoke an indica strain or a hybrid (50/50) then I really don't want to do anything except relax and space out.

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I love the sedating effects of 50/50 hybrids, and indica dominants. I've found that the narcotic effects are great for relief of pain (I've got bursitis in my hip from a motorcycle accident, and early onset rheumatoid arthritis), and the relaxing sedative effects virtually eliminate the need for medications that are supposed to relieve my depression. I've smoked some really good sativas, too... but don't always like the speedy cerebral effect. A good 50/50 mix or a punishing indica-dominant are my favorites, and neither have ever had much of an effect in my performance of day-to-day activities. But I also agree that they are also nice to unwind with after a long day.

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Originally Posted by daihashi

Let the sativa learning later followed by an indica sleep begin!!!

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Those are the makings (and endings) of a VERY pleasant day! :jointsmile:

Thanks for all the comments.
I do drink plenty of water - but I'll lay off the junk food. Vitamin C is an interesting idea, I'll try that. I already eat lots of omega-3s - fish eggs, flax, hemp seeds (my special favourite ;) ). Hmm, I forgot to mention, maybe it's the pine sol I spray on my weed first. Just kidding ;) .
I'm sure the more purely creative pursuits like writing will be enhanced by weed - but I find things that require systemization and logic are noticably reduced in quality, and interest. To each his own, I guess. And I still think I'll stay away from weed around tests and exam (though the stress-reducing aspect may very well outweigh the temporary decrease in concentration and skill!).

I dont know what youve been smoking ?


herby certainly has not made me stoopid, or forgetful, having college years behind me

Ima 'Well Established Credit to Society"


I stand behind my bags man

:baggy::baggy::baggy:

Ahh well do some testing to see if its the weed or you or the eating, etc. You sound like you know how to conduct a experiment, get a handel on a good cantrol for your self and began. I am thinking it would take about a month for you to conduct your experiment and I for one would like to know your findings and data. good luck

Elemental, im currently M.Sc in physics myself, and noticed that weed had this same effect in me.
Fortunately i only started to smoke in the last year of graduation, so it was not affected by my smoking.
But my M.Sc surely was. I noticed while i was high, i could understand things better than when i was sober, mainly abstract things, theories, and such. But when the high did wear off and i was burnt out, i had to struggle to make even the simplest calculations.
So, my own advice would be to smoke when you needed to understand abstract/theoretical things, like at the classes, but do the "hard work" (calculations, etc) while sober, the most sober you could get.
Also, smoking can provide INCREDIBLE insights... i had a lot of ingenious ideas while high... and surely im not the only one... there was great physicists who used to smoke... we all know Einstein used to smoke a pipe... and while no biography states everything he used to smoke in it, i like to think he used to enjoy some good weed... :rastasmoke::jointsmile::thumbsup:

maybe not for everyone if they dont get rediculously stoned or somthing

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Originally Posted by elemental

I've been an occasional smoker for 7 months, one or twice a week usually. Lately I've been wondering if weed can cause a temporary decrease in mental ability. I'm very interested in math and science - I get good marks, usually 90s, and I intend on studying physics next year at university. As such, I highly value my mental agility and problemsolving ability. Now it could just be me, but I've noticed that sometimes after I smoke, for about 24-48 hours, I am slightly less able comprehend math and physics problems with my usual ability. Things that I would normally need to push myself to understand become impossible, and easier stuff becomes a real challenge. Again, this may just be me, or the effects of overeating that I usually indulge in when I'm high (normally I try to eat healthy, but I can't resist junk food and refined sugar when I'm stoned).
Anyone have an opinion or suggestion?

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Hello all, and a note to elemental, you need to check out a screening for the new Doug Benson movie called Super High Me it will show you exactly what you are asking.:S5:

Yeah, I've noticed this, too. Not to a disturbing degree and frankly I'm more than smart enough for most of my daily activities (so I feel I can spare a few brain cells now and again) - however, yes, it's worrisome.

I've noticed that good nutrition helps this a lot.

Try to have some healthy munchies on hand... if, as you say, you can't resist junk... buy healthy junk ahead of time and be prepared.

Rice crackers + peanut butter or sunbutter are amazing.
Yogurt and fruit for the sugar cravings. Or even vitamin C chewables (in moderation).
Gatorade is better than soda, and Smart Water is better yet.

It's okay to munch out, but not on fast food and sugar. The brain needs to rebuild itself after exposure to any psychoactive.

I recommend getting plenty of DHA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids). It's great for the brain.

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Originally Posted by Coelho

Elemental, im currently M.Sc in physics myself, and noticed that weed had this same effect in me.
Fortunately i only started to smoke in the last year of graduation, so it was not affected by my smoking.
But my M.Sc surely was. I noticed while i was high, i could understand things better than when i was sober, mainly abstract things, theories, and such. But when the high did wear off and i was burnt out, i had to struggle to make even the simplest calculations.
So, my own advice would be to smoke when you needed to understand abstract/theoretical things, like at the classes, but do the "hard work" (calculations, etc) while sober, the most sober you could get.
Also, smoking can provide INCREDIBLE insights... i had a lot of ingenious ideas while high... and surely im not the only one... there was great physicists who used to smoke... we all know Einstein used to smoke a pipe... and while no biography states everything he used to smoke in it, i like to think he used to enjoy some good weed... :rastasmoke::jointsmile::thumbsup:

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I'll echo this. I've been in a lot of high-pressure academic situations and I must say, sobriety is the key to success when thinking about concrete sequential work.

Getting high on anything is going to temporarily affect your ability to learn while your high, or shortly after. Alcohol, pot, anything. But not permanently, the affect is gone in hours after your buzz if your healthy.

If you want to really be sharp, you also need a good diet and good daily exercise. Good exercise has been proven time and again to sharpen learning ability, memory and agility both mentally and physically and lower stress levels, and a good diet is proven to help as well.

Get high in moderation, not when you need to study, and walk or run a mile or three or something daily to get your muscles working and your heart thumping and eat good and you'll be better off than 90% of people out there.

what is intelligence anyways man

the weed will dull the senses, no doubt. I've been a regular smoker for 30 yrs, quiting during the duration of my two pregnancies, and once for a year as I studied chemistry on the job - that should tell you right there. In order for me 'to get it' on a studying level, I stopped consuming.

Recently quit because what is available is nasty schwag. Tired of dealing with kids that will smoke anything, hell I have some catnip that will do a better job than what is available. (no I don't smoke catnip).

My use of cannabis is medicinal, though I love the 'high' part just as much as I use it to alleviate symptoms. If I needed my brain to function sharply I would limit my use of the weed, or quit for awhile.

When I say 'dull' the senses, I mean analytical senses, cannabis actually increases my touch, taste, smell, and sight senses.

Weed actually works like blinders in me, allowing me to focus on one thing and not be overloaded by 'everything' going on around me.