“Evidence supported that both recent and heavy lifetime cannabis use were associated with diminished brain activation and cognitive performance during working memory.” These are the findings of a recent study released in the January 28, 2025, edition of JAMA Network Open, (Gowin, J. et. al.). This study examined data for over 1000 adults, ages 22 to 36 years of age, with varying degrees of cannabis use history. Heavy lifetime cannabis users were those with more than 1000 uses (exposures) in their lifetime, moderate users had 10 – 999 exposures and “nonusers” were those with less than 10 lifetime uses. Researchers used data from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) records, toxicology reports, and cannabis use information to measure brain functions and working memory responses to form their conclusions. According to the authors, the areas of “working memory” and “cognitive performance” were most impacted by both recent cannabis use and heavy lifetime cannabis use.
The author’s note, ” These findings suggest that large, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the causality of cannabis use toward altering brain function and the duration over which these effects persist.”
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