A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that both recent and lifetime cannabis users exhibit reduced brain activity during cognitive tasks, particularly those involving working memory. The research, which involved over 1,000 young adults aged 22-36, used brain imaging technology to examine the effects of cannabis use on brain function.
Heavy users of cannabis were found to have a statistically significant decline in brain activity during working memory tasks, with 63% of heavy lifetime users showing reduced activity. Recent users also demonstrated similar declines, with 68% exhibiting impaired performance.
The study’s findings suggest that cannabis use can have a negative impact on cognitive function, particularly in areas such as decision-making, memory, and emotional processing. However, the researchers noted that abstaining from using cannabis before completing cognitive tasks may help to improve performance.
Lead author Joshua Gowin, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, emphasized the importance of studying the effects of cannabis use on human health. “As cannabis use continues to grow globally, it’s essential that we provide a well-rounded understanding of both the benefits and risks of cannabis use,” he said.
The study was conducted using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology and involved seven cognitive tasks, including working memory, reward, emotion, language, motor skills, relational assessment, and theory of mind. The researchers found that cannabis had a statistically significant effect on brain function during working memory tasks, but the impact was less significant for other tasks.
The study’s findings have implications for our understanding of how cannabis use affects the brain and cognitive function. Further research is needed to determine whether cannabis use directly changes brain function and to understand the long-term effects of cannabis use on brain activity.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where the study was conducted, is a world-class medical destination that conducts cutting-edge research in transformative science, medicine, education, and patient care.
Source: https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/largest-study-ever-done-on-cannabis-and-brain-function-finds-impact-on-working-memory