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Papers > Science > Cognitive effects of extended marijuana usage
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Cognitive effects of extended marijuana usage |
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The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre states that 39% of the Australian population have had some experience with marijuana in the past, and 18% have used it within the last twelve months (National Drug Household Survey, 1998). ... The majority of research has focussed mainly on the social and physical healthrepurcussions of marijuana usage. A growing area of research is the possible adverse effects of the drug on memory? ... Given the extent of marijuana usage in Australias society, it is important to establish whether marijuana causes or can lead to cognitive impairment, and how enduring and severe this impairment may be. Modern research on the topic is becoming increasingly important due to the continuting increase of potency of marijuana sold, and the ease at which hydroponically grown cannabis of high potency can be grown at home. The study of cognitive functioning in marijuana users can be broadly split into three main areas. The cognitive impairment noticed during actual marijuana intoxication. Cognitive impairment stemming from residual drug levels in the body Long term impairments stemming from actuall centrel nervous system damage or alteration Early tests involving cognition and memory Hart, Gorp, Haney, Foltin and Fischman (2001) tested individuals using a battery of neuropsychological tests while the subjects were under the influence of marijuana intoxication. 18 subjects who prior to the experiment smoked on average 24 marijuana cigarettes per week took part in the study. ... During each session the participants completed a baseline computerised cognitive task, and then smoked a single marijuana cigarette containing either 0%, 1. ... THC is the psychoactive substance in marijuana. ... The subjects completed a standard battery of tests designed to test complex cognitive performance. Results of the experiment found that there was minimal impact upon cognitive performance, however an increase in premature responses and the time taken to complete tasks relating to immediate recall and mental calculation. ... Is it possible that through practice regular marijuana users have learnt to be more "cautious" with their mental processing while intoxicated and engaging in important or challenging activities. Earlier examinations of memory intrusions during acute marijuana intoxication have found similar results (Hooker, Jones, 1987). ... 2% THC or cannabiniod-exhausted marijuana on two seperate days. ... Following marijuana intoxication a significantly greater number of memory intrusions were noticed in delayed free recall tasks. The Stroop Interference effect was sificantly more pronouced during marijuana intoxication. The austhors suggest that marijuana compromise cognitive processes central in associative control. Although marijuana impairs the learning of new information, acecdotal reports from marijuana users ahve suggested that marijuana actually enhances the retreiveal of remote memories (Tart 1980). In a study by Wetzel, Janonwsky and Clopton (1982), remote memory during marijuana intoxication was found to be relatively unaffected. ... 33 g of marijuana containing either 6. ... Results of the study showed neither a detrimental nor facilitory effect of marijuana on the recall of remote memories. Consistent with other studies, an ANTEROGRADE defect in learning new material was associated with marijuana intoxication. |
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Title: Cognitive effects of extended marijuana usage
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