Similarities Found Between Hugs and Weed

Marijuana commonly either mellows the brain, causing the person to be in a state of relaxation, or it can do the opposite by creating an extremely anxious and paranoid feeling. Depending on marijuana for relaxation could result in an addiction, become a gateway to more harmful substances or cause one to need to seek treatment in drug rehab.

Interestingly, researchers at the University of California have recently discovered similarities of the effects hugs and marijuana have on the human brain. Not only can they both either make you feel completely relaxed or utterly too anxious to function properly, this research has also found that marijuana could improve interpersonal bonding too.

Oxytocin — or the “love hormone” — can improve social interaction when combined with cannabinoid receptors and make the encounter much more pleasurable. Oxytocin triggers the release of a “bliss molecule” called anandamide, which assists the brain in activating receptors that increase motivation and happiness. Unfortunately, relying on marijuana to improve social interaction may be the first sign that you need to get help in drug rehab.

This study could offer new information into research of how oxytocin works on the brain. Findings from this research could further other efforts to understand the mechanisms of social impairments such as autism, or of those those suffering from addictions in drug rehab. These findings could improve and specify the treatment of those suffering from a given disorder.

In the study, researchers gave mice a marijuana-like substance. The mice that were given the drug showed signs of enjoying the company of other mice much more than the mice that were given a placebo drug. Marijuana often is a drug that brings friends together, but overuse can cause many problems, such as needing treatment from drug rehab.

With these new findings of marijuana and hugs having similar effects on the brain, researchers may now better understand other issues (such as autism) and better improve the quality of their treatment. The issue with this study is that it implies to drug addicts or those that are interested in the drug that marijuana can improve their social skills. Some may become reliant on marijuana in order to handle social situations. The constant use of marijuana does not seem harmful to the world today, however, smoking constantly can result in long-term breathing issues or even the need to go to drug rehab to overcome a debilitating addiction.

Leah Ferguson is a health writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Odyssey House. Follow on Twitter