Long-term cannabis use 'changes brain structure and leaves users demotivated, unable to make decisions and struggling to deal with complex tasks'
dailymail.co.uk • • health
Key Points:
- A study from Spain's Fidmag Germanes Hospitalàries Research Foundation found that long-term, daily cannabis use is linked to thinning in the frontal cortex, a brain area crucial for planning, decision-making, and executive functions.
- This structural change may result in reduced motivation and difficulty performing complex tasks, as heavy cannabis users might require more mental effort for everyday activities.
- The research involved MRI scans of 46 adults who used cannabis daily for at least five years, compared to a control group with minimal cannabis exposure, revealing significant thinning in the right rostral middle frontal cortex among heavy users.
- While the findings raise concerns about potential cognitive impacts, further studies are needed to determine if these brain changes are permanent or reversible after stopping cannabis use.
- Experts emphasize the importance of such research to guide public health policies amid ongoing debates over cannabis legalization and regulation.
