Considering Cannabis: The Effects of Regular Cannabis Use on Neurocognition in Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Thirty-six percent of high school seniors have used cannabis in the past year, and an alarming 6.5% smoked cannabis daily, up from 2.4% in 1993 (Johnston et al., 2013). Adolescents and emerging adults are undergoing significant neurodevelopment and animal studies suggest they may be particularly vulnerable to negative drug effects. In this review, we will provide a detailed overview of studies outlining the effects of regular (at least weekly) cannabis use on neurocognition, including studies outlining cognitive, structural and functional findings. We will also explore the public health impact of this research.

Cannabis use, schizotypy, and negative priming

“…On positive priming trials (bottom), the target appears in the same location across prime and probe displays. Braunstein-Bercovitz, 2000;Curran et al, 2002;Verdejo-Garcı́a et al, 2005;Lisdahl et al, 2014). Age was centred around the mean to avoid multicollinearity.…”

Clinic- and Home-Based Contingency Management Plus Parent Training for Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorders

“…Teens who use cannabis regularly are at high risk for: poor academic performance; school dropout; delinquent behavior; arrest; other psychiatric problems; emergency room visits; other substance use disorders; drugged driving; and unprotected sex 3 . The impact of regular cannabis use on brain structure and function may also be cause for concern 4 .…”

‘If drugs does that to you, then I don't want it.’ Resiliency among non-marijuana using adolescents

“…Marijuana use can negatively impact short-and long-term developmental and psychosocial functioning among adolescent users (Lisdahl et al 2014;Mahmood et al 2010;Newcomb and Bentler 1988). Additionally its use can place adolescents at greater risk for victimization (Eaton et al 2007;Lauritsen, Laub, and Sampson 1992) and delinquency (D'Amico et al 2008;Ford 2005;White 1991) particularly if they are living in inner-city neighborhoods plagued by poverty, violence, and open-air drug markets.…”