Working memory capacity predicts cannabis-induced effects on alcohol urge.
Addictive behaviors March 1, 2026 Rachel L Gunn, Lindy K Howe, Holly K Boyle et al.
In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial, 125 adults who drank heavily and used cannabis at least twice weekly smoked placebo, 3.1% THC, or 7.2% THC cannabis cigarettes. Participants with higher working memory capacity, measured by a symmetry span task, reported significantly lower alcohol urge after smoking the higher THC dose compared to placebo. Lower working memory, measured by an n-back task, was linked to higher alcohol urge overall but did not alter cannabis's effect on urge. The authors suggest that individuals with lower working memory may be less likely to experience reduced alcohol craving from cannabis.