
28 Jan Cannabis May Have Long-Lasting Effects on Working Memory
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Gowin
Joshua Gowin PhD
Assistant Professor, Radiology
Anschutz Medical Campus
University of Colorado
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Many people want to know how cannabis affects their brain and cognitive abilities. Previous studies have shown that cannabis use can impair learning and verbal memory function. Some evidence has shown that cannabis use is associated with smaller volume of areas of the prefrontal cortex. Our study investigated how cannabis use is associated with brain function.
We examined brain function across 7 tasks in 1,000 adults. 88 of them had used cannabis over 1,000 times in their lives.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We showed that only one task showed an effect of cannabis: the working memory task. Participants with a history of heavy cannabis use showed lower activation in brain regions involved in working memory when completing the task.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Cannabis may have long-lasting on brain function related to working memory.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: We need studies that follow people for a longer period of time to see if cannabis causes the changes in brain function and if people can show recovery if they stop using.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: I encourage people to add this information to what they already know and make their own choices for what they think is best for their body and health.
Citation: Gowin JL, Ellingson JM, Karoly HC, et al. Brain Function Outcomes of Recent and Lifetime Cannabis Use. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(1):e2457069. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57069
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Last Updated on January 28, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD