An article published by Ben Adlin for Marijuana Moment sheds light on new research that may debunk the belief that long-term use of cannabis can cause cognitive impairment. Suppose you are a patient who regularly uses medical cannabis for help with symptom moderation. In that case, you may be interested in learning about any side effects or potential risks associated with long-term use.
As recreational cannabis and medicinal use are legalized, with more people using cannabis products than ever before, researchers are answering important questions about safety. One of the prevailing concerns about cannabis use is whether it can cause cognitive impairment over time. However, at this time, there is little evidence-based data to support that concern.
A new study has caught the attention of people who use medical marijuana worldwide. It provides some positive news, suggesting that, while cognitive decline is age-related, there is no evidence that cannabis use alone may cause problems with memory or other impairments.
What the New Study Said About Cannabis and Cognitive Health
The research paper “A Semi-Naturalistic, Open-Label Trial Examining the Effect of Prescribed Medical Cannabis on Neurocognitive Performance” was published on November 9, 2023. The finding of the research study suggested that “prescribed medical cannabis may have minimal acute impact on cognitive function among patients with chronic health conditions.”
Authors of the study, Thomas R. Arkell, Brooke Manning, Luke A. Downey, and Amie C. Hayley, stated that they found “no evidence for impaired cognitive function when comparing baseline with post-treatment scores.” Basically, cannabis had no impact on improving or reducing their cognitive skills.
More good news from the study: researchers also stated that: “The absence of any ostensible cognitive impairment, despite reports of mild intoxication for up to 4 h, and particularly with vaporized products, might reflect acute symptom alleviation leading to an improvement in physical and/or psychological function.”
What the study is saying is that they found no evidence that consuming cannabis had a negative impact on cognitive skills. But the study also noted the obvious: patients felt far more relaxed and calm and experienced some relief from symptoms of pain and other conditions. But as far as noting cognitive deficits caused by cannabis? They found no proof.
The study did mention that the control group was under the supervision of a cannabis healthcare provider and specific to medical marijuana users only. Recreational cannabis use of higher potency cannabis products with more frequent use was not evaluated in the study, nor were risks discussed for long-term cannabis users.
Why Isn’t There More Long-Term Research About Cannabis Use?
You may be wondering why there isn’t a lot of research about cannabis use in general. Particularly long-term studies. That is because, before cannabis legal reform, it was very difficult for researchers to purchase cannabis for clinical studies. The cannabis available to them was also low-potency
It took over thirty years for researchers to have enough data to know that cigarettes caused cancer. When studying the long-term health effects of cannabis, researchers haven’t had enough time or resources to provide the answers.
However, in December 2002, President Joe Biden signed a law that removed many of the research barriers and challenges. The “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act” (H.R. 8454), or the “Cannabis Research Bill,” opened the door to more clinical studies about cannabis and human health.
What does that mean for patients? More questions could be answered as American researchers now have less red tape to contend with. They will also have access to cannabis that is similar to the average potency found in most dispensaries. That means the research studies can provide more accurate data regarding cannabis use and health outcomes.
Because of the Cannabis Research Bill, we may learn far more about cannabis for medicinal use in the next few years. One day, there may even be research-based data that will allow us to identify the exact strains and potencies that can help based on the patient’s diagnosis or symptoms.
What About Cannabis Use Among Minors and Young Adults?
For pediatric care, there are far more clinical studies about cognitive impairment after repeated cannabis exposure. Adolescent brains continue to develop until the age of twenty-one (21) years. Some studies have suggested that habitual cannabis use, whether medical or recreational cannabis, can have significant differences for minors.
Chronic cannabis use or exposure during childhood or adolescence can significantly impair cognitive performance and overall cognitive functioning.
This is important to understand for parents because, in 2021, the National Survey Results on Drug Use reported that 7% of 8th-grade students and 17% of 10th-graders had reported using cannabis in the past twelve months. Approximately 30% of twelfth-grade students indicated they had used marijuana or hashish in the same period.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against exposing minors to cannabis use because research suggests that during the development period of adolescence, cannabis can have a negative impact on brain development.
In addition to the physical harms of smokable cannabis, such as inflammation and lung damage, some studies suggest that adolescent cannabis use may cause:
- Mood disorders.
- Impairment to physical coordination, hand-eye, and overall reaction time.
- Learning problems.
- Impaired short and long-term memory.
- Problems with focus, concentration, and higher-level executive function.
- Higher risk of developing psychosis.
Addition is another outcome that can happen when adolescents consume cannabis. One study has suggested that 9% of all individuals who use cannabis may develop a substance use disorder. However, individuals who begin using cannabis in their teens have a 17% higher chance of becoming addicted to marijuana.
Acute cannabis intoxication on a regular basis may significantly impair the cognitive development of children. That is one of the reasons why medical cannabis use in pediatric care is limited to low-THC products only. An attempt to reduce the risks for children while moderating debilitating symptoms.
The Higher the Potency? The Bigger the Risks
Responsible use of medical marijuana helps protect your health. Patients are guided by experienced cannabis healthcare providers to use a mild to moderate dose and to monitor the frequency of use.
While cannabis is well tolerated by many people, there can be negative effects for regular cannabis users. According to some studies, cannabis concentrates, which have the highest THC potency level, may represent the greatest risk and adversely affect cognitive functioning and performance over time.
Medical cannabis consumption should be on an “as needed” basis and combined with other types of symptom relief, including THC topicals, exercise, and hot and cold therapies for relief.
Ask your MedWell Health and Wellness practitioner for advice on potency, frequency, and attributes of strains (terpenes and minor cannabinoid content) that can help you get the best results from cannabis use.
Dr. Jack Rothman has been practicing medicine for 40+ years. He has been involved with an endless list of Boards, Executive Committees, and Task Forces, serving as Director, Society Member, President, Vice President, and Chairman. All to better the healthcare industry and patients’ lives. Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in Gynecological surgery, volunteering with free clinics and the Red Cross, he has seen the need for different patient options to help with symptom relief of multiple conditions. His interest in medical cannabis started decades ago with the historical study of ancient medicine.
Getting involved with the medical cannabis industry was the perfect opportunity for him to transition from traditional medicine into the ever-expanding industry of medical cannabis.
