The largest study yet into the effects of cannabis on the brains of 18- to 36-year-olds has found that the drug can reduce brain function during cognitive tests. The findings will help people to make an informed decision about the pros and cons of using cannabis.

Archived version: https://web.archive.org/web/20250130042220/https://newatlas.com/brain/young-adult-cannabis-brain-function/


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  • socsa
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    57 days ago

    Damn so you’re saying I could have gotten a mega PhD instead of just a normal dumb person PhD?

  • @[email protected]
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    568 days ago

    recent and heavy lifetime cannabis use was associated with a statistically significant reduction in brain activity only during the working memory task.

    That’s a much smaller impact than the headline would lead you to think. If you’re not a heavy user, or you’re a heavy user but not for the past month, then you are unlikely to see significant mental changes. And even if you do, it’s only for short-term working memory, no other types of mental ability.

    • @Weslee
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      168 days ago

      Yeah, it seems pretty obvious to me that you don’t remember things well while you’re high, just like you don’t remember things while you’re drunk.

      • @[email protected]
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        88 days ago

        That’s a good point. It would be interesting to see how this relates to alcohol and if they see similar effects.

    • @Dasus
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      28 days ago

      Also I’d like to see it done on a “heavyweight smoker” who’s not uses cannabis for say, six months to a year.

      Because I think all of the heavy lifetime users were also actively blazed as fuck.

  • @[email protected]
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    178 days ago

    I’d be amazed if it didn’t have any negative health consequences - very few things in life come without trade-offs. The real question is how significant those consequences are and whether the benefits outweigh them. For many, the answer is yes.

  • JaggedRobotPubes
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    127 days ago

    The negatives aren’t zero, but gid damn this is some scare tactic headline bullshit.

    Do it when you’re a little older, and do not-insane amounts.

    • @chonglibloodsport
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      47 days ago

      It’s also just common sense: don’t go into your calculus final stoned out of your mind!

      Lots of research goes into common sense things though. Sometimes common sense is wrong.

  • lemmy689
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    8 days ago

    What was that? I got stoned and I missed it.

  • @nman90
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    48 days ago

    As someone with ADHD, I have noticed no difference on working memory other than when I am actually high. Also sounds like this is not permanent since effects go away after a month of no use, but heavy users may suffer withdrawal

    • @[email protected]
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      28 days ago

      The interesting thing about weed and ADHD, is that, since weed is a stimulant, if you find the right microdose (edible) it’s super super energizing and you can focus even better because it’s stimulating the under active executive part of your brain.

    • @otacon239
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      8 days ago

      I will say that I tend to use quite a bit and the withdraw can sometimes be annoying. Nowhere near as tough as other addictions, I’m sure, but the one that always gets me is the loss of appetite and nausea with mild insomnia for a couple days. After I’m over that hump, though, it’s right back to normal. I don’t even get a ‘hankering’ for weed. I just sometimes wish I had some on the initial withdraw days just to help with sleeping and eating, not even because I want the high.

      It’s pretty incredible we have a drug that you can use that much and bounce back out so quickly (assuming you’re old enough).

    • @Zannsolo
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      17 days ago

      Withdrawal is real for about 3 days, but a mild anti anxiety med for those 3 days makes it way easier. While I would enjoy smoking again there is no need to do it. Nicotine on the other hand is insidious.

    • @Psythik
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      17 days ago

      Same, but to be fair, my working memory doesn’t work at all, whether I’m high or sober.

  • The Pantser
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    38 days ago

    Glad I had my first hit at 37 after it was legal.

  • Lexam
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    38 days ago

    I smoked a lot of pot as a kid in the 90s. Is my life ruined now?

  • @Psythik
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    07 days ago

    So glad I waited until my 20s to try weed. Everyone else I know started in their teens.