Study: Medical Cannabis Doesn’t Change Brain Function or Structure
A new study says that cannabis does not affect the brain in the ways we have always been told
A new study published in JAMA Network Open has some incredible findings for medical cannabis users. The research, conducted by experts from Harvard Medical School and MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research, shows that long-term medical cannabis use does not lead to changes in brain structure or cognitive function.
Key Findings
The study followed a group of medical cannabis patients over the course of a year, collecting brain imaging data both at the beginning and end of the study. They also compared these results to a control group of non-cannabis users. What did they find? Absolutely no significant differences in brain activation between the two groups.
Researchers reported that they “did not observe functional differences between baseline and brain activation at one-year during working memory, reward processing, or inhibitory control tasks,” meaning the cognitive abilities of cannabis users were just as sharp as non-users.
Even more interesting, there was no correlation between how often patients used cannabis and any changes in brain function. This means that regular cannabis use didn’t alter brain activity in key cognitive areas like memory and decision-making.
Cannabis and Cognitive Performance
This study adds to a growing body of evidence proving that cannabis is far less harmful to the brain than opponents have claimed. Some studies even show that people who use medical cannabis experience improvements in executive function over time. Why? Likely because their symptoms—such as pain, anxiety, or sleep disorders—improve, which helps overall mental clarity.
The study's authors stated, “Adults who use cannabis, generally with light to moderate use patterns, for symptoms of pain, anxiety, depression, or poor sleep, experience few significant long-term neural associations in these areas of cognition.”
One Less Lie for Anti-Cannabis Advocates
For decades, critics of cannabis have used fear-based arguments, claiming that it causes irreversible brain damage or cognitive decline. However, with the release of studies like this one, it becomes clearer that these claims are not backed by science. This new research is one less talking point for those looking to keep cannabis illegal by spreading misinformation.
This research challenges the old narrative and supports what many cannabis users and advocates have known for years: medical cannabis is safe, even for long-term use. The old claims that regular cannabis use will "fry your brain" simply don’t hold up to the science.
Why This Matters
The study doesn’t just matter for current medical cannabis users—it’s a huge win for anyone advocating for the legalization and regulation of cannabis. With evidence continuing to mount in favor of cannabis's safety, it’s becoming harder for opponents to rely on outdated myths to push back against its use.
The full study, “Year-long cannabis use for medical symptoms and brain activation during cognitive processes,” is available in JAMA Network Open. This isn’t just one study, either. Research continues to show that cannabis doesn’t harm cognitive function, especially when compared to substances like alcohol.
As we learn more, it's clear that medical cannabis is both effective and safe, and we’re only just scratching the surface of its potential.
