Cannabis and Memory
L. Cinnamon Bidwell
Summary
This study investigates the impact of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on recognition memory in healthy, regular cannabis users. Participants complete the same recognition memory task after self-administering one of two different strains of cannabis flower one day and while not intoxicated another day. Event-related potentials (ERPs) are measured via electroencephalogram (EEG) during the recognition memory task. Blood is collected to quantify THC and CBD exposure. Participants also complete self-report measures of medical history, sleep quality, subjective cognitive function, physical activity, psychological functioning, substance use, and acute drug effects.
Description
Previous research has established cannabis's harmful cognitive impact, with particularly robust and consistent effects in the domain of episodic memory. However, prior work has not sufficiently considered that the memory effects of cannabis are the compound action of different cannabinoids, which vary in their pharmacology and effects. Specifically, CBD, a non-psychotomimetic component of cannabis (doesn't produce a "high"), is thought to have cognitively protective properties and may mitigate some of the harmful effects of THC. Further, few prior studies have tested the effects of high potenc…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21–40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
1. Must be between the ages of 21 and 40 and provide informed consent; 2. Must be right-handed (Laterality Quotient \> 60 on Edinburgh Handedness Inventory - Short Form136); 3. Heavy users (HU) in Experiments 1, 2, 3, and 4: 1. Must use cannabis at least 4 days during the month; 2. Must be a cannabis user for at least a year; 4. Non-users (NU) in Experiment 2: 1. Must not have used cannabis for prior 6 months; 2. Must have at least one episode of lifetime cannabis use; 5. Must self-report not using other illicit recreational drugs (e.g., cocaine, benzodiazepines (non-prescription…
Interventions
- DrugCannabis (smoked flower)
Self directed use (ad libitum)
Location
- Center for Innovation and Creativity (CINC)Boulder, Colorado