Statewide legislation has increased public access to high-potency cannabis flower and concentrates, yet federal restrictions limit researchers’ access to relatively low-potency whole-plant cannabis. The goal of this study was to examine the acute effects of high-potency cannabis on cognition using a novel methodology. We further sought to compare cognitive effects of high-potency cannabis flower with and without cannabidiol (CBD), as well as cannabis concentrates to cannabis flower. 80 cannabis users were randomly assigned to stay sober or use their funds to purchase one of three high-potency cannabis products: (1) high-potency flower (≥ 20% THC) without CBD, (2) high-potency flower with CBD, (3) high-potency concentrates (≥ 60% THC) with CBD. Participants were observed over Zoom videoconferencing while inhaling their product or remaining sober and then were administered tests of everyday life memory (prospective, source, temporal order, and false memory) and decision making (risky choice framing, consistency in risk perception, resistance to sunk cost, and over/under confidence) over Zoom. High-potency cannabis flower with CBD impaired free recall, high-potency flower without CBD and concentrates had detrimental effects on source memory, and all three products increased susceptibility to false memories. CBD did not offset impairments and concentrates were self-titrated producing comparable intoxication and impairment as flower.

Background: Trends toward legalizing cannabis may increase experimentation with the drug among less experienced users with limited knowledge of possible adverse reactions. This study explores the prevalence, frequency, and levels of distress produced by various acute adverse reactions to cannabis, as well as predictors of these reactions. Methods: The Adverse Reactions Scale (ARS) was created and administered to a large sample of undergraduate college students (n = 999) who were predominantly white (> 70%), female (> 70%), recreational (> 90%) cannabis users. The ARS was administered in an anonymous online survey measuring demographics, cannabis use patterns, cannabis use motives, personality, and negative affect. Results: The most prevalent adverse reactions to cannabis were coughing fits, anxiety, and paranoia, which > 50% of the sample reported experiencing. The most frequently occurring reactions were coughing fits, chest/lung discomfort, and body humming, which occurred on approximately 30-40% of cannabis use sessions. Panic attacks, fainting, and vomiting were rated as the most distressing, with mean ratings falling between "moderately" and "quite" distressing. Multiple regression analyses revealed that lower frequency of cannabis use predicted increased frequency of adverse reactions. Symptoms of cannabis use disorder, conformity motives, and anxiety sensitivity were significant predictors of both the prevalence of, and distress caused by, adverse reactions. Conclusions: Relative to past research, this study provides a more comprehensive account of possible adverse reactions to cannabis, and individual difference variables that predict these reactions. This study has implications for inexperienced cannabis users, as well as medical professionals and budtenders who provide information about cannabis use.

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Previous research indicates that an acute bout of exercise enhances retrospective memory (i.e., memory for previously learned information, facts, and events). However, the vast majority of this research has used aerobic exercise, and few studies have examined the effects of acute bouts of resistance exercise (strength training). Moreover, researchers have yet to examine the effects of either aerobic or resistance exercise on prospective memory (i.e., the ability to remember to execute tasks in the future). Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of acute bouts of aerobic and resistance exercise on prospective and retrospective memory. A between-groups experimental design was used in which 120 students were randomly assigned to watch viral videos for 30 min while performing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, or sitting (control). Three prospective memory tests and two retrospective memory tests were assigned before the exercise phase. Participants were instructed to execute one prospective memory test during the exercise phase and to execute the remaining prospective and retrospective memory tests after the exercise phase. Relative to aerobic exercise, sitting enhanced prospective memory performance during the exercise phase. In contrast, relative to sitting and aerobic exercise, resistance exercise enhanced performance on one of the prospective memory tests that required execution after the exercise phase. These results indicate that prospective memory is diminished during acute bouts of aerobic exercise (likely due to distraction) but is enhanced shortly after resistance exercise. Thus, resistance exercise may represent a viable strategy for improving prospective memory.