Disruptions in neural oscillations, particularly in the gamma and theta frequency ranges, are a key mechanism by which THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, perturbs brain function. Clinical EEG studies show that both chronic and acute cannabinoid exposure disrupts these neural oscillations in humans. The authors propose a hypothetical framework where endocannabinoids modulate neural synchrony at the network level, altering the fine tuning of oscillations and the inhibitory/excitatory balance of neural circuits. These oscillatory disruptions may relate to cannabis-induced changes in sensation, perception, and cognition, with implications for disorders such as schizophrenia.
Regular cannabis users show altered resting-state functional connectivity between the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex compared with non-using peers. The anterior cerebellum is hyperconnected to the posterior cingulate cortex, while most other cerebellar regions are hypoconnected to the cortex. These connectivity changes may affect behavior and cognition. No associations were found between cannabis use features—such as age of initiation or lifetime use—and the observed connectivity differences.