WHY IT MATTERS: If you are a parent, caregiver, or young adult patient, this research reinforces that cannabis therapies should be reserved for adults with clinical oversight, and that adolescent use without medical necessity carries real psychiatric risk. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Large-scale research continues to reinforce what clinicians have observed for years: adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders, depression, and anxiety later in life. The developing brain, particularly before age 25, is uniquely vulnerable to the effects of THC on endocannabinoid system signaling, and early exposure may alter neurodevelopmental trajectories in ways that increase psychiatric risk.
Cannabis Use Associated with Worse Working Memory – EMJ
New research links heavy cannabis use to reduced brain activation during memory tasks. Here’s what you need to know: The study focused on heavy use patterns, not structured medical dosing Dose, frequency, and cannabinoid profile all matter for cognitive outcomes Working memory changes may be more pronounced with high-THC, high-frequency use ️ Medical patients using low-to-moderate doses under guidance face a different risk profile This is why we monitor cognitive function and adjust protocols over time The takeaway? Cannabis isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is the research. Talk to your cannabis clinician about what this means for YOUR care. Heavy cannabis use may impair working memory, but dose and context matter enormously. Medical patients deserve nuance, not headlines.