The Effects of Cannabinoids on Executive Functions: Evidence from Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids—A Systematic Review
Koby Cohen, Aviv Weinstein
Brain Sciences February 27, 2018 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8030040 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Both preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate an association between synthetic cannabinoids and executive-function impairment after acute or repeated consumption. |
Abstract
Background—Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in the Western world. Repeated cannabis use has been associated with short and long-term range of adverse effects. Recently, new types of designer-drugs containing synthetic cannabinoids have been widespread. These synthetic cannabinoid drugs are associated with undesired adverse effects similar to those seen with cannabis use, yet, in more severe and long-lasting forms. Method—A literature search was conducted using electronic bibliographic databases up to 31 December 2017. Specific search strategies were employed using multiple keywords (e.g., “synthetic cannabinoids AND cognition,” “cannabis AND cognition” and “cannabinoids AND cognition”). Results—The search has yielded 160 eligible studies including 37 preclinical studies (5 attention, 25 short-term memory, 7 cognitive flexibility) and 44 human studies (16 attention, 15 working memory, 13 cognitive flexibility). Both pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrated an association between synthetic cannabinoids and executive-function impairment either after acute or repeated consumptions. These deficits differ in severity depending on several factors including the type of drug, dose of use, quantity, age of onset and duration of use. Conclusions—Understanding the nature of the impaired executive function following consumption of synthetic cannabinoids is crucial in view of the increasing use of these drugs.
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
- Effects of naturalistic doses of cannabis edibles on cognition and association with blood THC. Psychopharmacology March 1, 2026
- Co-use of cannabis and tobacco in the same occasion: Acute effects. A systematic review. Psychopharmacology October 5, 2026
- The influence of cannabis on real time higher-order driving skills: a scoping review. Accident; Analysis and Prevention July 2026
- The effects of naturalistic cannabis use on cognition and subjective experience in older adults with normal cognitive function Journal of Psychopharmacology November 3, 2025
- Effects of different methods of cannabis use on cognition and blood THC: A systematic review. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry May 1, 2025
and 13 more in the library
Cites 29
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- Gone to Pot – A Review of the Association between Cannabis and Psychosis Frontiers in Psychiatry May 22, 2014
- “Spiceophrenia”: a systematic overview of “Spice”‐related psychopathological issues and a case report Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- Pathways from Cannabis to Psychosis: A Review of the Evidence Frontiers in Psychiatry 2013
- “Legal Highs” – New Players in the Old Drama Current Drug Abuse Reviews June 1, 2011
and 24 more in the library