Largest ever study on cannabis reveals 'significant impact' it has on brain function
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
The largest ever study conducted on cannabis makes for interesting reading, after experts looked into how its consumption impacts brain function.
Many studies have been done on weed over the years, and some even on how the drug impacts the brain and its overall function.
But with these latest findings, which were published last month, researchers looked at the effects both recent and lifetime cannabis use have on the brain.
Experts spoke to 1,000 people between the ages of 22 and 36 who consume cannabis, and the results certainly make for interesting reading.
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Joshua Gowin, PhD, an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and author of the study, said: "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."
The boundaries of who is considered a 'heavy smoker' has been detailed by the authors, with such category being those who have used the drug more than 1,000 times.
Those who have consumed cannabis 10 to 999 times were considered a moderate user, while people who used the drug less than ten times were dubbed a nonuser.
Experts used brain imaging technology for the study, and they discovered 63 percent of 'heavy lifetime' cannabis users had reduced brain activity during a time of a working memory task.
Gowin continued: "We applied the highest standards to our research, setting rigorous thresholds for statistical significance across all seven cognitive function tests. To minimize 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."
Reduced brain activity, which the study shows can increase in frequency following cannabis use, can impact someone's ability to complete everyday problems.
Though, the mission to find out more between the link is certainly not over.
Gowin added: "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."