The short-term and long-term effects of cannabis on cognition: recent advances in the field

The aim of this review is to discuss the most recent evidence for the short-term and long-term effects of cannabis on cognition. The evidence that cannabis intoxication is associated with short-term impairment across several basal cognitive domains, including learning and (episodic) memory, attentional control, and motor inhibition is increasing. However, evidence regarding the effects of long-term heavy cannabis use on cognition remains equivocal. Cannabis research suffers from difficulties in measuring cannabis exposure history, poor control over potential subacute effects, and heterogeneity in cognitive measures and sample composition. Multidisciplinary collaborations and investment in studies that help overcome these difficulties should be prioritized.

Automated summary

Recent evidence suggests that cannabis intoxication leads to short-term impairment in cognitive functions, while the effects of long-term heavy cannabis use on cognition remain inconclusive. Difficulties in measuring cannabis exposure, controlling subacute effects, and variations in cognitive measures and sample composition all contribute to the challenges in cannabis research. Collaboration across disciplines and investment in overcoming these challenges should be prioritized for future studies.