Keywords
Cannabis, Neurocognition, Meta-analysis, Substance Use, Residual Effects
Abstract
Cannabis use in the United States has generally increased over the past decade as more States have legalized recreational use. In conjunction with changes to the chemical makeup, which has made available cannabis more potent, the long-term effects experienced by cannabis users may have changed, and more individuals may be effected. The current study replicated the methods used in Schreiner & Dunn (2012) and Grant et al. (2003) to conduct a meta-analysis examining the neurocognitive effects of cannabis after abstinence lasting a period of at least 25 days. Previous research has found mixed results, with some studies finding significant differences between abstinent cannabis users and matched healthy controls, and others finding no evidence of significant differences. Results of the current meta-analytical study found no significant effects within the domains of overall effects, attention, forgetting/retrieval, learning, or verbal/language. Results identified a significant small effect size within the domain of abstraction/executive function. Results continue to add to the growing evidence there are no significant long-term neurocognitive effects associated with cannabis use.
Completion Date
2024
Semester
Summer
Committee Chair
Dunn, Michael
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree Program
Clinical Psychology
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
DP0028286
URL
https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0028286
Language
English
Rights
In copyright
Release Date
May 2024
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Crisafulli, Mark J., "A Meta-Analysis of Cannabis Research: Is there Evidence of Lasting Neurocognitive Effects?" (2024). Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024. 117.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2023/117
Accessibility Status
Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs