Can cannabis affect memory? Largest study yet investigates
- Cannabis use has increased significantly around the world.
- Past research shows that regular cannabis use can increase a person’s risk for several health concerns, including risk factors for dementia.
- Scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that heavy cannabis use may negatively impact a person’s working memory.
Recent research shows the use of cannabis has grown significantly around the world, from about 180.6 million people in 2011 to 219 million in 2021.
Much of this growth has been spurred on by recent moves to legalize the use of cannabis in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Thailand, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Uruguay.
How might cannabis impact cognitive functions?
For this study, researchers analyzed data from more than 1,000 young adults aged 22 to 36 who were categorized as one of the following:
- heavy cannabis users — used more than 1,000 times over their lifetime
- moderate users 10 to 999 times used during their life
- nonusers who used cannabis less than 10 times.
Scientists analyzed the neural responses in the brains of participants captured through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as they completed seven different cognitive tasks, including tasks testing motor skills, emotion, reward, and working memory.
“Findings like these should prompt more cautious and informed discussions between doctors and patients, especially those at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease or other memory-related conditions,” he continued. “While cannabis is often perceived as harmless or even beneficial for certain medical conditions, this study underscores potential negative cognitive effects, particularly on working memory and executive function, both of which are crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life.”
