Cannabis impact on working memory, inhibitory response and risk decision making in people under 30 years of age: A systematic review

Maximiliano I. Kaniuka; Roberto Rosler

doi:10.59471/202323

Authors

Maximiliano I. Kaniuka Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Buenos Aires, Argentina Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1219-6954
Roberto Rosler Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Buenos Aires, Argentina Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59471/202323

Keywords:

Cannabis, Marijuana abuse, Executive function, Brain, Prefrontal cortex

Abstract

Background: Marijuana is the third most consumed substance in the country, after tobacco and alcohol, with a worrying increase in consumption in young people, who are the most vulnerable to neurological damage, since the prefrontal cortex is the last to mature, and is one of the brain regions where there is a greater impact on the consumption of various drugs, especially cannabis. Although there are no studies in which deaths caused by marijuana overdose have been reported, little is said about how executive functions are affected, especially: working memory, risk decision making and the inhibitory response. Objective: Evaluation of the impact on working memory, inhibitory response and risk decision making, in cannabis users under thirty years of age Materials and methods: A systematic review was carried out, through the collection of data in the Pubmed search portal, referring to the last 20 years, which has measured the damage of marijuana on executive functions. Results: Working memory, decision making, and inhibitory response are affected in cannabis users. Not only are there alterations in the cognitive tests, but also structural brain changes are evident. These alterations are associated with starting consumption at an early age and exposure to high doses of THC. Conclusion: The implementation of measures to promote abstinence from this drug for as long as possible in this vulnerable group must be necessary, since some changes could be irreversible.

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