High intensity exercise trial to repair pot smokers’ brains

A SIMPLE solution could be the key to helping pot smokers repair damage to their brain from heavy cannabis use, with Victorian researchers to probe methods of helping the brain heal itself.

EXERCISE could be the key to helping pot smokers repair damage to their brain from heavy cannabis use.

Victorians in a trial will be prescribed high-intensity exercise for three months to see if it could encourage new brain cells and connections to grow, and to undo the negative impact of marijuana. Long-term use of the drug has serious health effects, ranging from problems with learning and memory, to psychotic symptoms.

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A third of Australians have used cannabis at some point in their lives.

A third of Australians have used cannabis at some time in their lives and half a million use it at least weekly.

Monash University has proved that some harm to brain structure, function and biochemistry could be reversed by giving up the drug for two or more years.

“The brain is plastic enough so that if you abstain for a couple of years, it can recover, but the problem is it’s often hard for regular users to (do that),” Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences Professor Murat Yucel said.

They are investigating other ways to stimulate the brain to repair itself.

Exercise could help repair brain injury and address psychological injuries that drive addiction.

It is hard for regular marijuana users to give up for two years.

“Exercising ... makes people feel good about themselves; their self-esteem goes up, they get social support and linked with the community,” Prof Yucel said.

“It lowers stress, anxiety and depression, increases cardiovascular health and could also reduce cravings.”

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Trial participants will undergo supervised exercise for 30-40 minutes at least three times a week.

Those who have smoked pot for at least five years will be supported by exercise physiologists, brain scientists and psychologists at the new BrainPark, which opens at Clayton next year.

The project is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the David Winston Turner Endowment Fund.