Using a heavy cannabis may be this threat to the brain – home – WSFX

As cannabis is legalized in more states across the country, new research is pointing to the negative side effects of participating too much.

Researchers from the Medical Campus of the University of Colorado Anshutz examined the impact of recent and lifelong use of cannabis on brain function during cognitive tasks.

The study, published in the Journal Jama Open Network, is “the biggest of its kind”, according to the university, using brain image technology to examine the effects of cannabis use on 1000 young adults from 22 to 36 years.

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Cannabis users have been tested on their “work memory”, which is the ability to save and use information to perform tasks, such as solving a mathematical problem.

The neural reaction is measured by seven cognitive tests – drilling of work memory, reward, emotion, language and motor skills – such as “touching a finger for mapping brain control, relational evaluation and theory of mind”.

The results show that 63% of lifelong cannabis users demonstrate reduced brain activity while performing a task of working memory.

Meanwhile, 68% of recent cannabis users have shown a similar impact.

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Researchers have come to the conclusion that cannabis has a “statistically significant effect” on brain function during work memory tasks, but is less significant in other tasks.

There was reduced brain activity in areas involved in important cognitive functions such as decision -making, memory, attention and emotional processing.

Leading study author Joshua Gowen, Doctor of Science, Assistant Professor of Radiology at the University of Colorado, Medical School, emphasized the importance of studying the effects of cannabis on health as he continues to “grow worldwide”.

“In this way, we can provide a well -rounded understanding of both the benefits and the risks of cannabis use by empowering people to make informed decisions and fully understand the potential consequences,” he said in a press message.

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Refraining from cannabis use before a cognitive task can help improve efficiency, according to Gowin and his team.

“People need to be aware of their relationship with cannabis, as abstaining a cold turkey can also disrupt their knowledge,” Gowen said. “For example, heavy users may need to be more preferable.”

“There are many questions … about how cannabis affects the brain,” he continued.

“Large, long -term studies are needed to understand whether cannabis uses directly changes the function of the brain, how long these effects continue and the effect on different age groups.”

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The neurosurgeon D -R Paul Safier, Dr., pointed out that the total size of the sample is large, but that only about 8% of the participants are reported as “heavy” users.

“As long as the survey appears to be well designed … I would like to see a larger sample of heavy users compared to moderate or non-users to draw final data,” the doctor who did not participate in the study, said with Fox News Digital.

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Safier, founder of coaxial neurosurgical specialists in New Jersey, noted that he was not “surprised” by the results of the study.

“Severe cannabis use throughout your life can ultimately lead to a decrease in cognitive/memorable tasks,” he confirmed.

“It also supports a relatively common and well -articulated mantra of lifestyle of everything in moderation with the obvious exceptions of undoubtedly harmful activities/lifestyle elections.”

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The neurosurgeon added that he was eagerly awaiting “a better rounded and higher survey to recording heavy and moderate users, so I can offer more explicit data to my own patients.”