Not Just a High—A Risk to Your Mind.
New research on the developing brain & cannabis
Research on the relationship between cannabis use and cognitive function, particularly regarding IQ, suggests a link between heavy or early cannabis use causing IQ decline. Here are a few studies worth reading.
Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (2012):
Findings: This longitudinal study followed 1,037 individuals from birth to age 38. It found that persistent cannabis use, especially when initiated during adolescence, was associated with an average IQ decline of approximately 6 points. Notably, cessation of cannabis use did not fully restore cognitive function, suggesting potential long-term effects. Read about it.
Long-Term Cannabis Use and Cognitive Reserves Study (2021):
Findings: Research published in the American Journal of Psychiatry examined the effects of long-term cannabis use on cognitive reserves and hippocampal volume in midlife. The study reported that long-term users performed significantly worse than non-users on various neuropsychological tests, particularly those assessing learning and memory. Read about it.