A recent study from the King's College London revealed that long-term use of "skunk-like" cannabis has an adverse effect on the white matter fibers in the brain.

According to the Headlines and General News, this is the first time that the effects of "skunk-like" cannabis to the brain condition has been examined. It was found out that the brain's corpus callosum, a part of the brain that functions as a link for the communication of the two brain hemispheres, is adversely affected by long-term abuse of said kind of cannabis.

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"'Skunk cannabis" refers to high-potency products that possess increased levels of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)," wrote Headlines and General News.

Fifty-six patients were examined using the Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), a kind of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) method.

The data obtained from the tests of the 56 patients was compared to the test results of forty-six healthy subjects from nearby areas.

"White matter damage was significantly greater among heavy users of high potency cannabis than in occasional or low potency users," said Tiago Reis Marques, co-author of the study.

Paola Dazzan, senior researcher, said that damage in the brain's white matter can make it less functional.

"We don't know exactly what it means for the person, but it suggests there is less efficient transfer of information," said Dazzan to the The Guardian.

"Skunk-like" cannabis is now the most common cannabis being abused in London. Based in the findings of the study, it can be surmised that cases of brain damages might increase if people continue to get hooked on this type of cannabis.

"It is extremely important to gather information on how often and what type of cannabis is being used. These details can help quantify the risk of mental health problems and increase awareness of the type of damage these substances can do to the brain," Dazzan said.

TagsSkunk Cannabis Brain Damage, Cannabis Brain Damage, Cannabis Health News, cannabis, Skunk Cannabis