Executive Functions and Cannabis Use in Adolescents

Abstract

The developmental phase of adolescence is characterized by a multitude of neurocognitive and psychosocial changes and is therefore considered one of the most critical developmental periods of life. Experimentation on the use of substances often begins in adolescence and so does the addiction process. Most research in human subjects shows that chronic cannabis abuse is the cause of the impairment of some cognitive functions, affecting the performance on divided attention, verbal memory and working memory. In this study, we wanted to investigate how the abuse of cannabis (chronic, occasional and absence use) can influence global cognitive functioning, also through executive functions. From the statistical analyzes of our study, it emerges that the group of subjects who use chronic cannabis (group 1) has a significant drop in working memory tasks compared to the group that does not use it (group 3). In addition, the goal of future studies by our group is to verify the permanent alteration of cognitive processes affected through revaluations with calendar follow-up (controlled).

Cognitive Development and Cannabis Use in Adolescents

“…In previous studies we validated our hypothesis related to the importance of both the temporal extension and the weekly frequency of use [ 1 ], and then investigated how the chronic use of cannabinoids caused serious impairments in cognitive function, in particular with respect to working memory and processing speed. However, the sample size was small.…”

“…The use of narcotic substances often begins during adolescence, a period characterized by multiple neurocognitive changes and a reactivation in neurobiological development. In fact, from the age of 12 a new process of cerebral maturation leads to a global remodeling of the brain through phases of proliferation, migration, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and pruning [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The maturation of functional and cognitive processes involving the frontal and prefrontal cortex begins during adolescence.…”

Chemical Profiling of Hashish Resin and its Possible Role in Forensic Cases Involving Violence in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

“…Its abusive use causes euphoria and mood elevation, manifested as excitement, intense happiness, increased friendliness, awareness, and exaltation, followed by central nervous system depression, manifested as decreased in motor activity, alertness, and conversely in some cases, anxiety, confusion, panic, sedation, and sometimes paranoia and psychosis [4][5][6]. Other effects include a decrease in intelligence and information processing [7], disturbance of time perception, impaired discriminative ability and avoidance responses [8]. The aggressive behavior was increased when it was administered or withdrawn in social seclusion wild mice [9] and during hashish withdrawal in former chronic hashish users [10].…”