Age-related differences in the impact of cannabis use on the brain and cognition: a systematic review
Claire M. Gorey, Lauren Kuhns, Eleni Smaragdi, Emese Kroon, Janna Cousijn
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience January 24, 2019 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-019-00981-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Effects of cannabis Cognition Abstinence Developmental psychology Psychological resilience Clinical psychology Vulnerability computing |
| Citations | 118 |
| Key findings | The review does not offer a conclusive answer on the moderating role of age but generates hypotheses that general executive functioning is more impaired in adolescent frequent cannabis users, age effects may be strongest among very heavy users, craving and inhibitory control may persist more in adolescents post-intoxication, and learning deficits may not persist after sustained abstinence in adolescents. |
Abstract
The impact of cannabis on the adolescent compared to adult brain is of interest to researchers and society alike. From a theoretical perspective, adolescence represents a period of both risk and resilience to the harms of cannabis use and cannabis use disorders. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a critical examination of the moderating role of age on the relationship between cannabis use and cognition. To this end, we reviewed human and animal studies that formally tested whether age, adolescent or adult, changes the relationship between cannabis exposure and cognitive outcomes. While the results of this review do not offer a conclusive answer on the role of age, the novel review question, along with the inclusion of both human and animal work, has allowed for the formation of new hypotheses to be addressed in future work. First, general executive functioning seems to be more impaired in adolescent frequent cannabis users compared to adult frequent cannabis users. Second, age-effects may be most prominent among very heavy and dependent users. Third, craving and inhibitory control may not decrease as much post-intoxication in adolescents compared to adults. Lastly, adolescents' vulnerability to reduced learning following cannabis use may not persist after sustained abstinence. If these hypotheses prove correct, it could lead to important developments in policy and prevention efforts.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of cannabis use on outcomes of psychotic disorders: systematic review People with psychotic disorders, as examined in 13 longitudinal studies | 2008 | Systematic review | |
| The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis of Existing Findings and New Data in a First-Episode Sample Patients with established schizophrenia (meta-analysis: 572) and patients with... | 2010 | Meta-analysis and cross-sectional observational study | n = 700 |
| Medicinal cannabis for psychiatric disorders: a clinically-focused systematic review | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Neuroimaging in cannabis use: a systematic review of the literature Cannabis users and controls in neuroimaging studies | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Human Laboratory Studies on Cannabinoids and Psychosis. Healthy human subjects and individuals with schizophrenia | 2016 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- Associations between regular cannabis use and brain resting-state functional connectivity in adolescents and adults Journal of Psychopharmacology July 29, 2023
- Differences in Inhibitory Control and Resting Brain Metabolism between Older Chronic Users of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or Cannabidiol (CBD)—A Pilot Study Brain Sciences June 23, 2022
- Associations Between Cannabis, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia in Adolescents Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research 2022
- Adolescent THC impacts on mPFC dopamine-mediated cognitive processes in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology February 1, 2025
- Motion and form perception in healthy individuals with adolescent cannabis use Frontiers in Psychiatry August 17, 2026
and 13 more in the library
Cites 14
- Are adolescents more vulnerable to the harmful effects of cannabis than adults? A placebo-controlled study in human males Translational Psychiatry November 29, 2016
- Susceptibility of the adolescent brain to cannabinoids: long-term hippocampal effects and relevance to schizophrenia Translational Psychiatry November 27, 2012
- Association of Cannabis With Cognitive Functioning in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis JAMA Psychiatry June 1, 2018
- Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Identify Mechanisms of Change: An Application From a Pharmacotherapy Trial With Adolescent Cannabis Users. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs March 2018
- Acute and long-term effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on object recognition and anxiety-like activity are age- and strain-dependent in mice. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior December 2017
and 9 more in the library