Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have unveiled a significant study highlighting the impact of cannabis use on brain functions, specifically working memory. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research focused on 1,206 young adults, all participants of the Human Connectome Project, with an average age of 29. The study aimed to assess how varying levels of cannabis consumption affect cognitive abilities.
The methodology involved analyzing participants' self-reported lifetime cannabis use and conducting urine toxicology screens to detect recent usage. Participants completed tasks measuring seven brain functions to provide comprehensive data for analysis. The study categorized participants into heavy users, moderate users, and non-users based on their reported cannabis use. Heavy use was defined as 1,000 or more lifetime uses, moderate use ranged from 11 to 999 times, and non-use was classified as 10 times or less.
The study uncovered that cannabis use notably impacts the brain's ability to follow instructions, engage in conversations, and retain questions long enough to formulate answers. Among the participants, 106 tested positive for recent cannabis use, including 19 individuals initially classified as non-users. Researchers found that heavy cannabis use had a significant association with decreased brain function, specifically affecting working memory tasks.
“Our findings highlight the need to educate cannabis users about the consequences of recent and heavy lifetime cannabis use on cognitively demanding working memory tasks,” the authors stated.
Despite this link with working memory, researchers did not find a measurable connection between cannabis use and performance on six other cognitive functions assessed during the study. This suggests that while certain areas of brain function may remain unaffected, working memory suffers notably from cannabis exposure.
“Similarly, the association between heavy use and decreased brain function could motivate regular cannabis users to reduce their cannabis use and could encourage treatment,” the authors added.
The study also suggests that the diagnosis of dependence might be less significant than recent or cumulative exposure to the pharmacologically active components of cannabis. This nuanced understanding calls for further exploration into how these components specifically alter brain functions.
“There are a lot of questions we still need answers to regarding how cannabis impacts the brain,” said Joshua Gowin, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
As the conversation around cannabis use continues to evolve globally, this study underscores the importance of ongoing research to fully understand the substance's long-term effects on brain function. The findings could serve as a foundation for future studies aiming to unravel the complex relationship between cannabis consumption and cognitive health.
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