The biggest study to date on cannabis and the brain function has a disturbing link: Scienceatt

The consumption of medical and recreational cannabis is now legal in many regions of the world, but questions remain on its effect on physical and mental health – and a new study shows that the intensive use of the drug can cause problems of memory of memory work.

Working memory is one of the executive functions – essential mental skills to function normally in daily life. Unlike short -term memory – recalling a phone number for example – it helps us keep information while we actively use it to perform tasks. This is important for reasoning, decision -making and control of our behavior.

Researchers from institutions in the United States and Canada have examined surveys and brain imaging analyzes of 1,003 young adults, corresponding to self-depressed cannabis habits against changes in the brain during cognitive tasks.

The significant size of the group tested in fact the largest study of this type to finish, providing a rare overview of how cannabis affects the functioning of our brain.

The consumption of heavy cannabis as well as the recent consumption of cannabis were associated with lower levels of brain activation during a working memory task commonly used. During other tests, covering reward mechanisms, emotions, linguistic skills and motor skills, there was no substantial difference.

“We have applied the highest standards to our research, establishing rigorous thresholds for statistical significance in the seven cognitive function tests,” said neurologist Joshua Gowin, from the University of Colorado Anschutz medical campus.

“To minimize the risk of false positives, we used the correction of the rate of false discoveries (FDR). While some of the other tasks indicated a potential cognitive impairment, only the working memory task has shown a statistically significant impact. “”

The areas of the brain where activity was less than normal included the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and the previous insula – the areas associated with decision -making, the concentration of attention and the treatment of emotions .

We know that these brain areas also have a high density of CB1 receptors, targets for the compound of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis, and that the sensitivity of these receivers is composed in heavy users of cannabis.

Previous research has suggested that recent use of cannabis could be associated with reduced activation in these critical areas of the brain during working memory tasks.

Although these results are consistent with the previous results, the analysis was able to show how the brain was affected even after excluding people who showed cannabis always in their system at the time of the tests.

The in -depth use of this particular drug could have an impact on certain parts of the brain functionality, but it is a complex image.

Although there are good reasons to think that cannabis reduction before a mentally demanding situation can improve brain capacity to remember, temporary withdrawal symptoms in heavy users could also compromise advantages.

“People must be aware of their relationship with cannabis, because the abstension of cold turkey could also disturb their cognition,” said Gowin. “For example, heavy users may need to be more cautious.”

There are many questions: it is not clear what the mechanisms could be behind this association, or how permanent changes can be. Age and other health factors are also likely to play in the relationship.

However, it is another step forward in understanding how the consumption of extensive and regular cannabis could affect one of the most important sections of the brain – offering cannabis users and health professionals more ‘Information with which to work with.

“While cannabis consumption continues to grow worldwide, the study of its effects on human health has become increasingly important,” said Gowin.

“In doing so, we can provide a well -balanced understanding of the advantages and risks of cannabis consumption, allowing people to make informed decisions and fully understand the potential consequences.”

Research was published in Jama Network Open.