Cannabis, which is popularly known to have a lot of names, have either been used medicinally or as a recreational drug. But research suggests that it can leave its users schizophrenic.

According to a collaborative study, led by Dr. Matt Jones from the University of Bristol's School of Physiology and Pharmacology, found that cannabis use is directly linked with disturbances in concentration and memory, making one uncoordinated and inaccurate during their altered state of mind.

Jones tested the flowering plant to see its detrimental effects on memory and cognition, and if it could be the result of "disorchestrated" brain networks.

He explains that brain activity is like a philharmonic orchestra that is following a conductor. Like the instruments in an orchestra, specific structures in the brain tune in to one another at defined frequencies. This tune, or brain waves, when normal, allows processing of information used to guide behavior.

With that in mind, Jones and his team of researchers measured the electrical activity of hundreds of neurons of those that are under the psycho-active ingredient of marijuana.

They observed that the effects of the drug on individual brain regions were subtle. However, the drug completely disrupted the coordinated brain waves, as if sections of the orchestra were playing out of synch.

Cannabis disrupted the functions of the brain that are essential for memory and decision-making - something that is heavily implicated in the pathology of schizophrenia.

"Marijuana abuse is common among sufferers of schizophrenia and recent studies have shown that the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana can induce some symptoms of schizophrenia in healthy volunteers," Jones said.

Jones added that these findings are important in understanding psychiatric diseases which may arise as consequence of "disorchestrated brains" and could be treated by re-tuning brain activity.

Michal Kucewicz, first author on the study, said that their results mark an important step forward in understanding how rhythmic activities in the brain underlies thought processes in health and disease.