Cannabis Use Reduces Brain Activity In Cognitive Tasks, Largest Study To Date Finds
A landmark study published Tuesday in JAMA Network Open found that both recent and lifetime cannabis use may impair brain function during cognitive tasks, particularly those involving working memory.
The study, the largest of its kind, examined 1,000 young adults aged 22 to 36 using brain imaging technology. Researchers found that 63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users showed reduced brain activity during a working memory task, while 68% of recent users exhibited a similar decline.
Implications For Memory And Cognitive Performance
Working memory plays a crucial role in everyday functions, allowing individuals to follow instructions, solve problems and process information efficiently. The decline in brain activity observed in cannabis users correlated with poorer performance on working memory tasks.
“As cannabis use continues to grow globally, studying its effects on human health has become increasingly important,” said lead author Joshua Gowin, Ph.D., an assistant …