A recent study on the isolated versus combined uses of cannabis and nicotine has found that there are indeed different effects on the brain network when users consume just cannabis, just tobacco, or a mixture of the two. The study was performed by researchers at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas.
The study used MRI scans to evaluate resting state functions in different regions of the brain among the four groups of participants: there were 28 nicotine users, 52 cannabis users, 26 nicotine and cannabis users, and 30 non-users as a control group.
Interestingly, the study authors note, “not only were the effects in these three categories different, but also … the group using both nicotine and cannabis more closely resembled the control (non-user) group in brain connectivity.” The isolated cannabis and isolated nicotine users demonstrated equally less connectivity.
“Most of the literature to date has focused on associations of isolated cannabis and nicotine use, even though concurrent cannabis and nicotine use is more prevalent in society than cannabis use alone. Our findings confirm the limitations of existing research.” — Dr. Francesca M. Filbey, the study’s lead author and the Bert Moore Chair in BrainHealth at UT Dallas
Fibley said the study’s results likely resulted from the opposing effects that nicotine and cannabis have on the brain. The difference in the brain effects of concurrent users vs. isolated users also suggests that further research into the functional connectivity of these substances is necessary.