A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveals that heavy lifetime cannabis use can impair working memory in young adults. The research, which involved over 1,000 participants aged 22 to 36 and analyzed brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), found that individuals who used cannabis heavily either recently or in the past showed reduced brain activation during a task assessing working memory—a key component of activities like reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
The study defines heavy cannabis use as 1,000+ uses or a diagnosis of dependence, while moderate use is considered 10–999 uses. Heavy users were found to have lower brain activity in areas associated with cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and emotional processing, including the anterior insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. This link remained significant even when accounting for recent cannabis use.
The researchers noted that while recent cannabis use was linked to poorer performance in motor and working memory tasks, these findings did not hold up after statistical corrections. They also highlight the limitations of the study, including the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data.
This research underscores the potential long-term cognitive impacts of cannabis use, even without recent consumption. For those concerned about cannabis use, the study emphasizes the need for further research into its effects on brain function and health.
For more information or resources on managing cannabis use responsibly, visit FindTreatment.gov.
Source: https://fortune.com/well/article/marijuana-cannabis-use-brain-function-working-memory-young-adults