Cannabis Impact on the Brain and Body: Daily Users vs. Occasional Users

A study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research found that daily cannabis users develop tolerance, resulting in less cognitive and psychomotor impairment compared to occasional users. The research suggests that current impairment assessment methods are insufficient and highlight the need for new, objective cognitive and psychomotor tests to better assess impairment and enhance public safety.

In recent years, the topic of the impact of cannabis on cognitive and psychomotor functions has gained significance, particularly in the context of public safety.

The latest research published in the Journal of Cannabis Research provides innovative insights into how cannabis use affects various aspects of mental and motor functioning. Researchers focused on comparing effects of use between occasional and daily users, delivering insightful and intriguing findings.

The issue of cannabis-induced cognitive and psychomotor impairment is crucial for public health, especially regarding road and occupational safety. Cannabis is the second most commonly detected substance among drivers involved in fatal road accidents in the USA.

However, current impairment assessment methods, such as blood THC levels, do not always correlate with actual impairment. This poses a significant challenge for law enforcement and employers who need more reliable impairment assessment methods.

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Cannabis Study Objectives and Methodology

The study aimed to investigate how different patterns of cannabis use affect cognitive and psychomotor performance. The study involved 86 healthy adults aged 25-45, divided into three groups: daily users (using at least once a day), occasional users (using 1-2 days a week), and non-users (not using within a month before the study).

Participants self-supplied and used their cannabis products, which had a THC content of 15-30%. Assessments were conducted before and after cannabis use using tablet-based tests that measured reaction time, break acceptance, and working memory. This approach allowed the study to reflect real-world cannabis use patterns, enhancing its credibility.

Study Results

• Reaction to Stimuli: The study found that occasional users exhibited significant slowing in reaction time after cannabis use, while daily users showed no significant changes. This suggests that daily users may develop tolerance to the effects of cannabis on reaction time.
• Break Acceptance: Daily users performed tasks more slowly after cannabis use but with greater accuracy. This may indicate a compensatory approach to tasks, prioritizing accuracy over speed. Occasional users showed no significant changes in this task, which may suggest a lack of developed tolerance.
• Working Memory: In working memory tasks, occasional users showed significant deterioration after cannabis use, whereas daily users showed no significant changes. This suggests that daily users may develop tolerance to the effects of cannabis on working memory.

Discussion of Cannabis Research Results

The study results confirm the hypothesis of developed tolerance to certain effects of cannabis in daily users. This tolerance may result in less cognitive and psychomotor impairment after cannabis use, which is significant for road and workplace safety. The finding that daily users can maintain accuracy in tasks at the expense of speed has important implications for understanding how cannabis affects cognitive functions in real-world situations, such as driving.

One of the key conclusions of the study is the potential application of the results to improve road and occupational safety. Current impairment assessment methods, such as blood THC tests, are insufficient. Introducing objective cognitive and psychomotor tests could better assess impairment and ensure greater safety on roads and in workplaces.

Future Cannabis Research

The study suggests several directions for future research that could provide more detailed information about the effects. It is worth investigating how different THC doses affect impairment and how quickly users can develop and lose tolerance. Expanding research to various demographic groups, including older adults and individuals with different health conditions, could increase the overall reliability of the findings.

Conclusion

The impact of cannabis on cognitive and psychomotor performance is complex and dependent on usage patterns. Daily users may develop tolerance to certain effects of cannabis, resulting in less cognitive and psychomotor impairment after cannabis use. These findings have significant implications for public safety and suggest the need for new, objective impairment assessment methods.

The study was published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, and its authors include Ashley Brooks-Russell, Julia Wrobel, Tim Brown, L. Cinnamon Bidwell, George Sam Wang, Benjamin Steinhart, Gregory Dooley, and Michael J. Kosnett. Their work provides important and innovative information that can help better understand the effects of cannabis on cognitive and psychomotor functions and develop more effective impairment assessment methods.

If you are interested in more detailed information about this study, the full results can be found in the article published in the Journal of Cannabis Research.

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(Featured image by Elsa Olofsson via Unsplash)

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