As Cannabis is legal More states across the country point to the negative effects of new research being involved too much.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have examined the impact of recent lifelong cannabis use on brain function during cognitive tasks.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Open Network, uses brain imaging techniques to investigate the effects of cannabis use on 1,000 young adults between the ages of 22 and 36, according to the university, and says, “the largest of this species.” “is.
Cannabis users were tested with “working memory”. This is a feature that holds and uses information to perform tasks, such as solving mathematical problems.
The researchers examined the impact of recent lifelong cannabis use on brain function during cognitive tasks. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
Neural responses were measured in surveys of working memory, reward, emotion, language and motor skills, such as “tap your finger to map brain control, relationship assessment, and theory of mind.”
The results showed that 63% of large-life cannabis users had a decline Brain activity While completing a working memory task.
Meanwhile, 68% of recent cannabis users showed similar effects.
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Researchers concluded that cannabis has a “statistically significant effect” on brain function during working memory tasks, but is not so important for other tasks.
Brain activity has decreased in important areas Cognitive function Like decision-making, memory, attention, emotional processing.
The “heavy users” in the survey included people who used cannabis over 1,000 times throughout their lifetime. (istock)
Joshua Gowin, the principal research author of Dr. Joshua Gowin, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of studying the effects of Healthy Cannabis It is “continuing to grow globally.”
“In doing so, you can get a good understanding of both the benefits and risks of cannabis use, allowing people to make informed decisions and fully understand the potential consequences,” he said. said in a press release.
According to Gowin and his team, refraining from cannabis use prior to cognitive tasks can help improve performance.
“People need to be careful about their relationship with cannabis, as abstaining from cold turkey can equally disrupt cognitively,” Gowin said. “Heavy users, for example, may need to be more cautious.”
To understand whether cannabis is used, larger studies are needed to change brain function, the researchers suggested. (istock)
“There are many questions about how cannabis affects the brain,” he continued.
“big, Long-term research Understanding whether cannabis is used is necessary to understand brain function, whether these effects change long and impact on different age groups. ”
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Neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Saffier noted that although the overall study sample size is large, only about 8% of participants were reported as “heavy” users.
“This study appears to be well designed, but we would like to see a larger sample size for heavy users compared to either medium or non-user to draw definitive data.” , doctors who were not involved in the study shared on Fox News Digital.
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Saffier, the founder of a coaxial neurosurgery expert in New Jersey, said she was “not surprised” by the findings.
“Large use of cannabis over a lifetime can ultimately lead to reduced cognitive/memory tasks,” he confirmed.
Neurosurgeons have confirmed that lifelong cannabis use can lead to impaired brain function. (istock)
“This also supports a relatively common and well-defined lifestyle mantra with clear exceptions to undoubtedly harmful activity/lifestyle choices.”
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The neurosurgeon added that he could provide more definitive data as he “looks forward to researching heavier users with more balanced, higher registered studies.” My own patient. ”
