Cognitive Effects of Cannabis Use: A Comprehensive Review Across Domains

Chronic cannabis use is associated with widespread impairments in attention, executive function, memory, and learning, though most evidence comes from studies of acute or residual effects. Evidence for long-lasting deficits after extended abstinence is limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Acute motor coordination deficits are well established, but persistent impairments lack conclusive evidence. Effects on language remain inconclusive, and findings regarding social cognition suggest potential deficits in emotion recognition and mental state inference. Early onset and high-frequency use are critical risk factors for more severe and enduring cognitive effects. Some deficits may partially reverse with abstinence, though many persist long after cessation.

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Abstract

Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit substance worldwide, with rising use particularly among adolescents and young adults. Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic cannabis use may negatively impact several domains of cognition, yet findings across studies remain varied and fragmented. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the long-term cognitive consequences of cannabis use, focusing on attention, executive functioning, learning, memory, language, motor coordination, and social cognition. Consistent impairments have been observed in domains such as attention, executive function, memory, and learning; however, most evidence derives from studies of acute or residual effects. Evidence of long-lasting deficits after extended abstinence remains more limited and methodologically heterogeneous. Acute motor coordination deficits are well established, but persistent impairments in this domain lack conclusive evidence. Effects on language remain inconclusive, and findings regarding social cognition, though limited, suggest potential deficits in emotion recognition and mental state inference. Early onset and high-frequency use are critical risk factors for more severe and enduring cognitive effects. Some deficits may partially reverse with abstinence, although many persist long after cessation. Overall, cannabis use is associated with widespread and lasting cognitive impairments. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies, especially among youth, and point to future longitudinal and mechanistic research to better understand the nature, persistence, and potential reversibility of these cognitive effects.