Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Associations between cannabis use and cognitive functioning in cross-sectional studies of adolescents and young adults are small and may be of questionable clinical importance for most individuals. Furthermore, abstinence of longer than 72 hours diminishes cognitive deficits associated with cannabis use. Although other outcomes (eg, psychosis) were not examined in the included studies, results indicate that previous studies of cannabis in youth may have overstated the magnitude and persistence of cognitive deficits associated with use. Reported deficits may reflect residual effects from acute use or withdrawal. Future studies should examine individual differences in susceptibility to cannabis-associated cognitive dysfunction.

Does Cannabis Dependence Add on to the Neurocognitive Impairment Among Patients With Opioid Dependence? A Cross‐Sectional Comparative Study

“…A review on cognitive dysfunctions in patients with cannabis dependence showed impairments in executive functions, even after a period of abstinence . Nonetheless, with time, the magnitude of the effect size on executive function would reduce substantially . The estimated effect size (0.17‐0.21) in our study was comparable to the published literature.…”

“…We studied a wide range of cognitive functions: decision making, cognitive impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, conceptual thinking, attention, and working memory. We have accounted for some of the potential confounders and effect modifiers such as years of education, age of the participants, the severity of opioid dependence, and presence of co‐morbidities . The GLM controlled for the effect of the group difference in the mean age of the participants and the mean years of education.…”

“…The results are less consistent with regard to the residual neurocognitive deficits after 1 to 3 weeks of abstinence. The evidence so far suggests that the working memory and attentional dysfunctions are largely restored, whereas the deficits in the decision making might persist . Cognitive impairments due to cannabis or opioid dependence are likely to affect the skills required to achieve recovery and might increase the risk of relapse .…”

Vaporized Cannabis Is Effective and Well-Tolerated in an Adolescent with Tourette Syndrome

“…However, in a recent meta-analysis [13], it could be demonstrated that in most studies in youth the magnitude and persistence of cognitive deficits of cannabis have been overstated. In the authors’ opinion, reported deficits reflect residual effects from acute use or withdrawal rather than persistent cognitive deficits.…”

Adolescent cannabis use and risk of mental health problems—the need for newer data

“…Recent high‐profile meta‐analyses have reported that adolescent cannabis use is not a major risk factor for a number of previously linked mental health problems (e.g. ). For example, Gobbi and colleagues recently reported in a meta‐analysis of longitudinal studies that adolescent cannabis use was not significantly related to anxiety in young adulthood, and modestly related to depression .…”