Marijuana Use Doesn’t Impair Working Memory or Brain Functions, Study Finds
In a groundbreaking study, researchers funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have found that using marijuana over an extended period does not significantly impact key brain processes such as working memory, reward responses, or inhibitory control.
The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, challenge long-standing assumptions about marijuana’s effects on cognitive function.
Light to Moderate Use Shows Minimal Impact
The study focused on adults who use medical marijuana to manage conditions like pain, anxiety, depression, or sleep issues. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers tracked changes in brain activity over a year.
The results revealed no significant changes in brain function related to cognitive tasks, despite the participants’ cannabis use.This conclusion was based on comparing brain scans before and after a year of marijuana use.
Debunking Common Misconceptions
Contrary to the popular belief that marijuana impairs memory and brain function, the study found that those who used cannabis exhibited no significant decline in working memory or other cognitive processes.
According to the researchers, “working memory, reward, and inhibitory control tasks did not differ statistically from baseline to 1 year and were not associated with changes in cannabis use frequency.”
Call for Further Research
While the study offers reassurance to those concerned about long-term cognitive impairment, the researchers emphasized the need for further investigation. They suggested that additional studies could explore the effects of higher doses, more frequent use, and impacts on younger individuals.
- Harvard Medical School
- MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research
- University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science
These institutions collaborated on this study and highlighted that despite the growing body of evidence suggesting minimal impact, more research is necessary to understand the full range of marijuana’s long-term effects.
Similar Findings in Other Research
Other studies have reported comparable results. For instance, a 2018 study found that cannabis might actually improve working memory. Similarly, findings from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) contradict earlier claims that marijuana use leads to IQ loss.
Instead, NIDA reported that the supposed cognitive declines often attributed to marijuana are more likely due to shared familial factors, such as genetics or family environment.
Personal Perspective
It's clear that much of the stigma surrounding marijuana use is rooted in outdated beliefs. The scientific community is providing evidence that helps to reshape our understanding of cannabis and its effects.
While further research is always welcome, this study brings a sense of relief for those who rely on marijuana for medical purposes, as it suggests that cognitive functions remain largely intact even after long-term use.
