Frequently using cannabis can trigger cognitive decline, latest evidence has unveiled.
Researchers have found that more than 60% of people who regularly smoke cannabis exhibited reduced brain activity during tasks which tested their working memory.
Lead author Professor Joshua Gowin said: “As cannabis use continues to grow globally, studying its effects on human health has become increasingly important.
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“By doing so, we can provide a well-rounded understanding of both the benefits and risks of cannabis use, empowering people to make informed decisions and fully comprehend the potential consequences.”
During the trial, the team of researchers used brain imaging technology to analyse how cannabis impacts the brain health of 1,000 young adults aged 22 to 36.
The participants were split into three groups: heavy users (used more than 1,000 times), moderate users (used 10 to 999 times) and non-users (less than 10 times).
Each participant underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session and completed seven cognitive tasks, including tapping a finger to map brain control.
Brain function was more reduced among the heavy users compared to the moderate and non-users, the findings have revealed.
Professor Gowin said: “We applied the highest standards to our research, setting rigorous thresholds for statistical significance across all seven cognitive function tests.
“To minimise the risk of false positives, we employed false discovery rate (FDR) correction. While some of the other tasks indicated potential cognitive impairment, only the working memory task showed a statistically significant impact.”
Heavy cannabis use was found to reduce brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and anterior insula – regions of the brain that contribute to essential cognitive functions.
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Professor Gowin said: “People need to be aware of their relationship with cannabis since abstaining cold turkey could disrupt their cognition as well. For example, heavy users may need to be more cautious.
“There are a lot of questions we still need answers to regarding how cannabis impacts the brain.
“Large, long-term studies are needed next to understand whether cannabis use directly changes brain function, how long these effects last and the impact on different age groups.”
Read more in JAMA Network Open.
