What Is A Neurotoxin?

The National Cancer Institute defines a neurotoxin as "a substance that is poisonous to nerve tissue." Biotech Academy offers this definition:"the collective term for toxins that attack the nervous system." The Cleveland Clinic explains that "Neurotoxicity happens when exposure to natural or manufactured toxic substances (neurotoxicants) changes the function of any part of your nervous system."

​

Neurotoxins include a range of substances - lead, carbon monoxide, snake venom, formaldehyde, alcohol, cocaine, and of course cannabis, to name a few.

​

Symptoms can also range quite a bit. Here are a few listed by the Cleveland Clinic:

​

• Coordination and balance problems

• Muscle issues, like weakness, spasms, and twitching

• Nausea and / or vomiting

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Cognitive impairment

​

Acute and severe symptoms, also listed by the Cleveland Clinic, include:

​

• Seizures

• Trouble breathing

• Psychosis, including hallucinations

• Sudden and extreme muscle weakness

​

Long-term neurological issues include:

​

• ADHD

• Learning disabilities

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Schizophrenia

• Autism

​

Cleveland Clinic notes that "severe cases can lead to death."

​

Many of these classic neurotoxin exposure symptoms are documented as cannabis exposure symptoms, including death. Our Article Library contains many studies on the symptoms of cannabis exposure.