🌿 Cannabis and the Brain: What New Data Tells Us About Memory, Use, and Risk

Health & Sciences | The Varrock Street Journal

Good morning, readers! Cannabis—once taboo, now trending—is making headlines again. But this time, it's not about legalization or medicinal use. Recent research is raising eyebrows about a more subtle, longer-term concern: its potential link to memory loss and dementia.

As daily cannabis use reaches historic highs and marijuana becomes more accessible than ever, it’s worth asking: what are the risks when it comes to brain health?

🧠 Can Cannabis Affect Memory and Cognition?

A new review highlighted by CNN reports that chronic cannabis use may increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, especially in older adults. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of cannabis, can disrupt neural signaling in the brain's memory centers—particularly the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Some key findings:

• Heavy, long-term use is associated with memory impairment.
• Earlier and more frequent use may lead to greater risk of decline later in life.
• Cognitive function may improve after abstaining from cannabis, but not always fully—especially in older adults with decades of use.

👉 Read the CNN article here

📊 The Rise of Daily Cannabis Use in the U.S.

Jonathan Caulkins' 2024 paper in Addiction paints a clear picture: cannabis use is no longer occasional. It’s increasingly frequent, habitual, and normalized.

🔍 Key Stats from 2022:

• 17.7 million people reported daily or near-daily cannabis use—more than the number of daily alcohol drinkers
• Between 2008 and 2022, days of use tripled, and daily/near-daily use rose 15-fold
• The average user now consumes on 15–16 days/month, compared to 4–5 days/month for alcohol

These numbers highlight a major cultural shift—from recreational weekend use to daily lifestyle integration​.

🧬 What Happens in the Brain?

THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in:

• Memory and learning
• Appetite regulation
• Emotional processing

In high or frequent doses, THC can interfere with synaptic plasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and store new information. Long-term, this could contribute to structural changes in memory regions, which may accelerate cognitive decline in aging users.

However, more clinical trials are needed, especially in older adults, to determine exact cause-and-effect links.

🧓 Risk Factors for Cognitive Impact

While occasional use may pose little risk for most adults, researchers warn of greater concern in:

• People who begin using before age 18
• Older adults with existing memory problems or brain changes
• Individuals using high-THC products like concentrates or dabs
• Those with a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s

And yet, cannabis is also being studied for its potential neuroprotective effects—particularly CBD (a non-intoxicating compound in cannabis), which may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The research is still early—and full of contradictions.

⚖️ Why This Matters

Cannabis is evolving. From legal dispensaries to gummies and oils, accessibility and potency are both increasing. But scientific understanding isn’t always keeping pace.

As more adults turn to cannabis for sleep, anxiety, or recreation, the long-term neurological effects remain largely unknown. That’s why it’s important to distinguish between moderate, mindful use and chronic, high-frequency consumption—especially among aging populations.

🌟 Spotlight on the Future

Emerging research may soon clarify:

• Whether CBD can offset THC’s memory effects
• How age and brain plasticity influence risk
• Whether cannabis could one day be part of dementia prevention—or its cause

We’re only beginning to understand the full spectrum of cannabis’ effects, and individual variability will be key in future guidelines.

Your Brain On... Marijuana

Podcast Episode · Your Brain On · 14/08/2024 · 46m

Apple Podcasts

😲 Did You Know?

• More people now report using cannabis daily than drinking alcohol daily in the U.S.
• THC concentrations in legal cannabis products have doubled over the past 15 years
• In rats, THC reduces inflammation—but also shrinks hippocampal neurons in prolonged exposure studies

🧠 Reflection Questions

1. Should older adults be screened for cannabis-related cognitive risk?
2. How can public health messaging address rising daily use without stigmatizing users?
3. Could regulating THC levels help reduce long-term memory impacts?

📚 References

Caulkins, J. P. (2024). Changes in self-reported cannabis use in the United States from 1979 to 2022. Addiction, 119(9), 1648–1652. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16519

LaMotte, S. (2025, April 20). Using marijuana regularly may raise risk of memory loss and dementia, study says. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/20/health/marijuana-dementia-wellness/index.html

👋 Final Thoughts

As the green wave continues to roll forward, it’s more important than ever to balance progress with precaution. Cannabis may offer relief and relaxation—but the brain never forgets how it’s treated.

📲 Stay curious, stay responsible:

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