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Published on: 3/5/2025

Can marijuana cause memory loss?

Marijuana can cause temporary memory loss, especially affecting short-term and working memory. Studies have shown that the THC in marijuana can alter brain functions that help store and recall information.

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Explanation

When people use marijuana, the active compound called THC affects parts of the brain that are important for memory, such as the hippocampus. This can make it harder to remember things that just happened or store new information while under the influence. Research has shown that even short-term use can lead to noticeable problems with immediate and working memory. For example, one study looked at older adults and found that regular cannabis use may worsen memory performance. Another study showed that using marijuana can create acute changes in how the brain processes and recalls information. However, memory problems are not the same for everyone. The level of memory loss can depend on the dose, how frequently a person uses marijuana, and individual differences in brain chemistry. For many, these effects are temporary and improve after the marijuana wears off. Still, heavy or long-term use might lead to more noticeable or lasting changes in memory over time. It’s important to understand these effects when considering marijuana use.

(References)

  • Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR. Adverse health effects of marijuana use. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jun 5;370(23):2219-27. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1402309. PMID: 24897085; PMCID: PMC4827335.

  • Maynard M, Paulson D, Dunn M, Dvorak RD. Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Immediate, Delayed, and Working Memory Performance Among Older Adults. Cannabis. 2023 Jul 5;6(2):22-29. doi: 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000153. PMID: 37484047; PMCID: PMC10361803.

  • Hindocha C, Freeman TP, Xia JX, Shaban NDC, Curran HV. Acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of cannabis and tobacco both 'joint' and individually: a placebo-controlled trial. Psychol Med. 2017 Nov;47(15):2708-2719. doi: 10.1017/S0033291717001222. Epub 2017 May 31. PMID: 28558859; PMCID: PMC5647681.

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