A new study published in JAMA Network Open has found that both recent and heavy lifetime cannabis use can reduce brain activity in regions critical for working memory, including the prefrontal cortex and anterior insula. The research involved over 1,000 young adults aged 22 to 36 who underwent brain imaging tests.
Heavy users of cannabis were found to exhibit reduced brain activity during a working memory task, while recent users also demonstrated similar declines. This reduction in brain activity was associated with poorer performance on working memory tasks, such as following instructions or solving problems.
The study’s findings suggest that cannabis use can have negative effects on decision-making, memory, and attention. Researchers emphasize the need for more long-term studies to explore the effects of cannabis on brain function across different age groups and usage patterns.
In contrast, cognitive areas outside working memory showed minimal impact from cannabis use. The study also found that abstaining from cannabis before cognitive tasks may improve memory performance. However, the researchers caution that heavy users may need to be more cautious, as cannabis can disrupt cognition.
The study’s lead author, Joshua Gowin, notes that “large, long-term studies are needed next to understand whether cannabis use directly changes brain function, how long these effects last and the impact on different age groups.” The research highlights the importance of studying cannabis use’s effects on brain function to better understand its potential risks.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/cannabis-working-memory-neuroscience-28388/