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The results of the largest study ever conducted on cannabis and brain function has revealed a negative impact on working memory caused by recent or heavy use. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, working memory is the active maintenance and flexible updating of goal/task relevant information (items, goals, strategies, etc.) in a form that has limited capacity and resists interference.
“As cannabis use continues to grow globally, studying its effects on human health has become increasingly important. By doing so, we can provide a well-rounded understanding of both the benefits and risks of cannabis use, empowering people to make informed decisions and fully comprehend the potential consequences,” said the study’s first author Joshua Gowin, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, examined the effects of cannabis use on 1,003 young adults aged 22 to 36 using brain imaging technology. What Gowin and his research colleagues discovered is that “63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users exhibited reduced brain activity during a working memory task, while 68% of recent users also demonstrated a similar impact.”
The researchers also concluded that cannabis use is associated with short- and long-term brain function outcomes, especially during working memory tasks. This effect was seen in both recent and lifetime cannabis users.
“We applied the highest standards to our research, setting rigorous thresholds for statistical significance across all seven cognitive function tests. To minimize the risk of false positives, we employed false discovery rate (FDR) correction,” Gowin added. “While some of the other tasks indicated potential cognitive impairment, only the working memory task showed a statistically significant impact.”
On the plus side, the study also suggests that abstaining from using cannabis before doing a cognitive task may improve performance. However, Gowin did warn, “People need to be aware of their relationship with cannabis since abstaining cold turkey could disrupt their cognition as well. For example, heavy users may need to be more cautious.”