Cannabis and Neuropsychiatric Effects

Blunted: The Effects of Cannabis on Cognition and Motivation The effects of cannabis on cognition and motivation are key considerations both for clinicians and policy makers alike. The medical research on this topic shows some inconsistency in their conclusions but overall suggests that cannabis can indeed lead to reduced cognitive and motivational abilities, particularly in the areas of verbal memory and attention. Despite suggestions to the contrary, the strength of this evidence goes well beyond simple correlational studies. Fortunately, evidence suggests that at least most of the deficits can be reversed with sustained abstinence, although more research in this area needs to be done. One reason for some of the inconsistent findings in this area may be related to important variables such as amount of use, age, and perhaps THC content that can moderate the amount of risk involved in cannabis use. Research is now going beyond the question of if cannabis is related to cognitive problems and toward a greater understanding of mechanisms that may underlie this process.