Regular marijuana use as a teenager has been shown to lead to long-term memory and attention problems; however, no such findings exist regarding adult cannabis users.
Studies examining cognitive function after cannabis cessation demonstrate that decision-making, concept formation and planning ability continue to be affected for some time after cessation of use; however, these impairments tend to be less pronounced than their effects prior to cessation.
Myth 1: Cannabis Increases IQ
One of the key studies conducted to date, from Duke University researchers in 2012, revealed that marijuana use during early adolescence was associated with lower IQ scores at age 38 despite taking into account other confounding factors, including depression diagnosis or symptoms, alcohol consumption, smoking tobacco cigarettes use maternal education level and psychotic symptoms.
But that wasn't the last word on this issue; another PNAS publication published in 2019 used an even larger sample (799) from California and Minnesota who were tested for their IQs between 9-15 years, as well as whether or not they smoked cannabis. The focus of the new research was to uncover whether adolescent marijuana use is actually harmful but rather results from factors that have more to do with low IQ attainment such as environmental and social circumstances that are related. By studying twins who shared identical genes but experienced similar environments and social circumstances, researchers attempted to explore this possibility - perhaps eliminating one cause and eliminating another factor from causal analysis.
Although genetic correlation was strong, this research concluded that regular cannabis use was linked with a 2-point decrease in IQ for both flower and concentrate users. Furthermore, baseline performance comparison was made between frequent/heavy cannabis users versus non-users on tests of memory/working memory/executive function tests.
Myth 2: Cannabis Increases Cognitive Function
Cannabis https://westcoastbud.io/ use may impair attention and memory, however these effects should generally fade after several weeks of abstinence. More lasting impairments include decision-making and risk taking processes as well as verbal fluency - this phenomenon can especially impact those beginning heavy cannabis use during their teenage years.
Scientific studies have also revealed that those who regularly consume cannabis, particularly starting during adolescence, are at increased risk of psychosis - a serious mental disorder characterized by hallucinations and delusions - with regular cannabis use being linked with this development in certain people genetically susceptible. It appears to cause this effect through trigger mechanisms.
Cannabis contains cannabinoids that interact with receptors throughout the human body that respond to naturally-occurring cannabinoids called endocannabinoids, which serve to regulate brain and other bodily functions.
The new twin study confirms earlier findings that cannabis doesn't lead to significant cognitive decline for most adolescents over time, although heavy adolescent cannabis use could hinder education and social relationships, potentially having adverse repercussions in later life outcomes. Researchers hope to gain more data soon from NIH's Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study which is monitoring over 11,000 U.S. youth ages 10-15 over time through serial IQ tests and brain imaging scans.
Myth 3: Cannabis Increases Memory
Cannabis contains THC, an active chemical compound that interacts with receptors throughout the brain and body - including those belonging to the endocannabinoid system, an intricate network of cell receptors which regulate memory, mood, pain, appetite and communication between neurons. Cannabis' THC chemical can interact with these receptors to influence bodily processes like memory retrieval and mood stabilisation as well as intercellular communication between neurons.
THC interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain to produce its psychoactive effects, prompting neurochemicals that influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions to be released by various parts of the hippocampus (which aids memory) and amygdala (an area responsible for emotion regulation).
Cannabis use can diminish inhibitions and promote impulsivity, while chronic or heavy use may impair working memory and risk-taking abilities. According to studies, marijuana may also interfere with performing tasks requiring concept formation, planning and sequencing abilities.
Memory and concentration issues associated with cannabis use tend to be most apparent among regular users, particularly when they prefer concentrate over flower. Although researchers are still investigating whether these negative results are the direct result of cannabis consumption or preexisting biological differences within the brain, similar results were seen among non-adolescent users of marijuana; moreover, regular heavy usage does not appear to yield any long-term cognitive advantages.
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