Does cannabis affect the memory?

The answer to whether or not cannabis affects the memory really depends on what type of memory you are referring to.

Let’s begin with short-term memory.

The effects of cannabis on the short-term memory are similar to those of alcohol.

While smoking cannabis won’t result in a “blackout” as alcohol can do, it can still make it harder for you to form new memories.

As a consequence, remembering recent things or events can be difficult for a few hours after being high.

However, research shows that regular cannabis users can build up a tolerance to the effects of cannabis and as they become less stoned, so their short-term memory is less effected.

A further study revealed that two hours after smoking cannabis, the effects of THC, which give you the high, significantly impair recall, but 24 to 48 hours later, there are no residual effects.

With regard to long-term memory, the general consensus is that if cannabis is smoked frequently over a long period of time, say five years, it can begin to impact on our long-term memory and recall ability.

Now, where was I…. Oh yes….

It’s not all bad news for cannabis and its negative effect on the memory.
Early research has revealed that CBD – the chemical in cannabis that makes you chill as opposed to getting high – can protect the brain against damage caused by alcohol abuse by up to approximately 60%.

Beyond this, and though it is very early days, other studies have shown that CBD may have the potential to prevent the onset of diseases such as Parkinson’s, dementia and Alzheimers.

If you’ve noticed the effect of cannabis on your memory, and you smoked it where it was legally permissible, let us know what happened in the comments section below, if you can still remember what happened!

And if you have a topic you’d like us to discuss in future videos, we’d love to hear from you.

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