Weed causes temporary decrease in intelligence?

[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?

elemental Reviewed by elemental on 03-21-2008. 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 Rating: 5

[chrons]

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:

[norkali]

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.

[daihashi]

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.

[Mr. Clandestine]

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!

[the image reaper]

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

[Storm Crow]

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:

[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.

[Mr. Clandestine]

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.

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:

[daihashi]

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:

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!!!