If you think quitting cannabis means your brain will bounce back immediately, think again. A groundbreaking new research suggests that heavy marijuana use could leave lasting marks on your memory , long after your last hit. Can’t remember things after quitting weed? Here’s the science behind it.(Image by Pixabay) As cannabis legalisation expands and marijuana products become more potent, scientists are racing to understand the drug’s long-term effects. Researchers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the University of Toronto recently published one of the largest studies ever conducted on how cannabis affects brain function.
Their findings, featured in JAMA Network Open , suggest that heavy cannabis users may experience persistent cognitive deficits, particularly in memory, even after they quit. Lead researcher Joshua Gowin, PhD, an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, shared, “As cannabis use continues to grow globally, studying its effects on human health has become increasingly important. 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.” Key findings
The research team analyzed brain scans from 1,003 young adults aged 22 to 36. Participants were categorised into three groups based on their lifetime cannabis use: Heavy users (more than 1,000 times)
Moderate users (10-999 times)
Non-users (fewer than 10 times)
Heavy users—who made up about 9% of participants—exhibited lower brain activity during memory tasks than those who rarely or never used cannabis. The biggest differences appeared in brain regions responsible for attention, decision-making and short-term information storage. Research uncovers cannabis impact on brain connectivity in individuals at risk for psychosis.(Unsplash) Using data from the Human Connectome Project, researchers examined participants’ brain function using fMRI scans while they performed various cognitive tasks. Heavy cannabis users consistently showed reduced brain activation during memory-related challenges, suggesting a lasting impact on cognitive processing.
However, other brain functions—such as emotion recognition, logical thinking, and understanding social cues—were not significantly affected. Interestingly, the study also highlighted a gender […]
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A baggie containing so-called magic mushrooms The U.S. Attorney’s Office,
