The DOI matches its Crossref record; 119 of the 120 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Considering Cannabis: The Effects of Regular Cannabis Use on Neurocognition in Adolescents and Young Adults
Open accessAbstract
Thirty-six percent of high school seniors have used cannabis in the past year, and an alarming 6.5% smoked cannabis daily, up from 2.4% in 1993 (Johnston et al., 2013). Adolescents and emerging adults are undergoing significant neurodevelopment and animal studies suggest they may be particularly vulnerable to negative drug effects. In this review, we will provide a detailed overview of studies outlining the effects of regular (at least weekly) cannabis use on neurocognition, including studies outlining cognitive, structural and functional findings. We will also explore the public health impact of this research.
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“Marijuana abuse has been associated with deficits in cognition [124,125].”
From Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach (2017) · cites this paper as [124]
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Cites
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–156 of 156
Year-Long Cannabis Use for Medical Symptoms and Brain Activation During Cognitive Processes
Burdinski, D., Kodibagkar, A., Potter, K. W., Schuster, R. M., Evins, A. E., Ghosh, S., & Gilman, J. M. (2024) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.34354 · Cited by 5
Wade, N. E., Gilbart, E. R., Swartz, A. M., & Lisdahl, K. M. (2019) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-019-00091-4 · Cited by 6
Self-citationSullivan, R. M., Wallace, A. L., Wade, N. E., Swartz, A. M., & Lisdahl, K. M. (2021) · Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society · doi:10.1017/s135561772100062x · Cited by 6
Self-citationIntroduction to JINS Special Issue: Clarifying the Complexities of Cannabis and Cognition
Lisdahl, K. M., Filbey, F. M., & Gruber, S. A. (2021) · Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society · doi:10.1017/s1355617721000874 · Cited by 4
“, 2019), and lifestyle factors that influence brain health (Lisdahl et al., 2014).”
BackgroundSelf-citationCannabinoids, the Endocannabinoid System, and Cognitive Functions: Enemies or Friends?
Kitchigina, V. F. (2021) · Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology · doi:10.1007/s11055-021-01148-5 · Cited by 7
Elgendi, M. M., Bartel, S. J., Sherry, S., & Stewart, S. H. (2022) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-022-00878-y · Cited by 4
“…statistics are concerning, as cannabis use appears to have detrimental effects on EAs (e.g., disrupting brain development and cognitive functioning; Lisdahl et al., 2014) that extend beyond typical adverse physical and mental health consequences of cannabis use (e.g., chronic bronchitis, anxiety,…”
Le cannabis et les enfants et adolescents canadiens
Grant, C. N., & Bélanger, R. E. (2017) · Paediatrics & Child Health · doi:10.1093/pch/pxx018 · Cited by 4
“D’après des données récentes, la consommation de cannabis à forte teneur en THC accroît encore ce risque (56).”
BackgroundInfluentialGanesh, S., Vidya, K. L., Rashid, A., Singh, J., & D’Souza, D. C. (2018) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-018-0233-8 · Cited by 4
Livne, O., Borodovsky, J. T., Budney, A. J., Wisell, C. G., Habib, M. I., Struble, C. A., Chen, L., Liu, J., Wall, M. M., Aharonovich, E., et al. (2025) · Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research · doi:10.1177/25785125251360976 · Cited by 3
Cannabis Use and Cognitive Impairment Among Male Adolescents: A Case-control Study
Bassiony, M. M., Ammar, H. K., & Khalil, Y. A. (2021) · Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment · doi:10.1097/adt.0000000000000257 · Cited by 4
Cognitive Profiles of Adolescent Inpatients with Substance Use Disorder
Becker, A. B. C., Lüken, L. M., Kelker, L., Holtmann, M. H., Daseking, M., & Legenbauer, T. (2022) · Children · doi:10.3390/children9050756 · Cited by 5
‘If drugs does that to you, then I don't want it.’ Resiliency among non-marijuana using adolescents
Gilliard‐Matthews, S., Stevens, R. C., & Medina, M. A. (2016) · Journal of Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/13676261.2016.1154934 · Cited by 5
“Marijuana use can negatively impact short- and long-term developmental and psychosocial functioning among adolescent users (Lisdahl et al. 2014; Mahmood et al. 2010; Newcomb and Bentler 1988).”
BackgroundGender Moderates Chronic Nicotine Cigarette Effects on Verbal Memory in Young Adults
Kangiser, M. M., Lochner, A., Thomas, A. M., & Lisdahl, K. M. (2019) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2019.1613432 · Cited by 3
“…Merritt et al., 2012; Trauth, Seidler, McCook, & Slotkin, 1999), and cannabis use is associated with neurocognitive deficits (Hanson et al., 2010; Jacobus & Tapert, 2014; Lisdahl et al., 2013; Lisdahl & Price, 2012; Lisdahl et al., 2014; McHale & Hunt, 2008; Pope et al., 2001; Takagi et al., 2011).”
BackgroundSelf-citationKennedy, L., Ku, B. S., Addington, J., Amir, C., Bearden, C. E., Cannon, T. D., Carrión, R. E., Cornblatt, B. A., Keshavan, M. S., Perkins, D. O., et al. (2024) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2024.07.032 · Cited by 2
“Meta-analyses of healthy non-psychiatric adolescents have shown strong associations between repeated cannabis use, altered brain structure and impairments in cognitive functioning (Dellazizzo et al., 2022; Jacobus and Tapert, 2014; Lisdahl et al., 2014; Meier et al., 2012; Scott et al., 2018).”
BackgroundThe Effects of THC and Nicotine on Attention: A Narrative Review
Oleszak, K., Freeman-Striegel, L., Roeder, N. M., Mohr, P., Penman, S. L., Collins, L., Smith, D. M., & Thanos, P. K. (2025) · Current topics in behavioral neurosciences · doi:10.1007/7854_2024_568 · Cited by 2
Perceived effects of cannabis: Generalizability of changes in driving performance
Burt, T. S., Brown, T. L., Schmitt, R., McGehee, D. V., Milavetz, G., Gaffney, G., & Berka, C. (2022) · Traffic Injury Prevention · doi:10.1080/15389588.2022.2128787 · Cited by 2
“Driving during acute cannabis intoxication impairs psychomotor functions along with a variety of critical driving-related skills (Lisdahl et al. 2014; Broyd et al. 2016; Newmeyer et al. 2017; Hartley et al. 2019).”
BackgroundConn, B. M., Brammer, W. A., Choi, S., Fedorova, E. V., Ataiants, J., Lankenau, S. E., & Wong, C. F. (2023) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2023.2267111 · Cited by 2
“Emerging adults (EA) may be particularly vulnerable to numerous physiological and psychosocial effects of chronic cannabis use given the many developmental changes occurring during this formative period (Burggren et al., 2019; Lisdahl et al., 2014).”
BackgroundFarrelly, K. N., Keough, M. T., & Wardell, J. D. (2024) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2024.2352621 · Cited by 2
“Increasing rates of cannabis use in this population are notable as heavy cannabis use has been linked with a variety of consequences among young adults (e.g., academic problems and risk of cognitive impairments; Hall et al., 2020; Lisdahl et al., 2014).”
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The Pediatrician and Marijuana
Forman, K. R., & Havranek, T. (2018) · Advances in Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/j.yapd.2018.04.007 · Cited by 2
Cannabinoids - Recent Perspectives and Applications in Human Health
JAMES, S. P. (2022) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.100996 · Cited by 2
Expertise psychiatrique : quelle est la responsabilité pénale en cas de consommation de cannabis ?
Samuel, M., Benoit, M., & Nabhan-Abou, N. (2018) · Annales Médico-psychologiques revue psychiatrique · doi:10.1016/j.amp.2018.09.009 · Cited by 2
An overview of the adverse effects of cannabis use for Canadian physicians.
Leduc‐Pessah, H., Jensen, S. K., & Newell, C. (2019) · Clinical and investigative medicine. Medecine clinique et experimentale · doi:10.25011/cim.v42i3.33089 · Cited by 2
“One hypothesis for this association is the impact of cannabis on the developing brain when used at younger ages [61], which is described in more detail in subsequent sections of this review.”
BackgroundBrown, T. L., Banz, B. C., Li, K., Camenga, D. R., Vaca, F. E., Gaffney, G., & Milavetz, G. (2019) · Traffic Injury Prevention · doi:10.1080/15389588.2019.1661676 · Cited by 2
“For example, cannabis use is known to impair executive function and cognitive control capacities, including spatial and verbal working memory, attention, and inhibition (Lisdahl et al. 2014; Broyd et al. 2016; Scott et al. 2018).”
BackgroundButler, A. E. (2018) · UWSpace (University of Waterloo) · Cited by 2
Sex differences in substance use disorders
Hardee, J. E., & Becker, J. B. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-820480-1.00152-2 · Cited by 2
Hennessy, E. A., Tanner‐Smith, E. E., Finch, A. J., Sathe, N. A., & Potter, S. (2017) · Campbell Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/cl2.184 · Cited by 1
Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis
Ross, I. A. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-35155-6_9 · Cited by 1
Ni, Y., Li, J., Tang, Z., Zhang, Y., & Feng, Y. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1411587 · Cited by 1
“This association suggests an increase in con fl icts with family and society, leading to psychological stress and social isolation, particularly during adolescence (57).”
Nilsen, M. (2015) · doi:10.7282/t3cf9rz2 · Cited by 1
Early initiation of marijuana use, education, and earnings of young adults
Beulaygue, I. C., French, M. T., & Robins, P. K. (2020) · Journal of Children and Poverty · doi:10.1080/10796126.2020.1713446 · Cited by 1
“for the adolescent developing brain (Lisdahl et al. 2014; Lubman, Cheetham, and Yücel 2015).”
BackgroundCannabis and the Brain: Friend or Foe?
Dabiri, A. E., & Kassab, G. S. (2022) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.106669 · Cited by 1
Cannabis effects on the adolescent brain
Murlanova, K., Hasegawa, Y., Kamiya, A., & Pletnikov, M. V. (2022) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-823490-7.00007-1 · Cited by 2
Commentary on Hall (2015): The health effects of recreational cannabis use
Fergusson, D. M., & Boden, J. M. (2014) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/add.12758 · Cited by 1
“These effects are particularly important during adolescence [8], and may explain the linkages between adolescent cannabis use and later educational and cognitive impairment.”
BackgroundKnotts, A. C. (2018) · IUScholarWorks (Indiana University) · doi:10.7912/c2nw8b · Cited by 1
“The negative effects of SUDs among young people include, but are not limited to, illness, poverty, reduced grades, family and social problems, school and work performance, legal and criminal justice issues, diminished memory and cognitive abilities, problems obtaining and maintaining employment, and a decreased probab…”
BackgroundGabrielli, J. (2015) · KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas)
Cannabis Use and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Potential Moderators
Maple, K. E., Wright, N., & Lisdahl, K. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-800756-3.00053-3
Self-citationTransition in the Weeds: Heading to College with a Cannabis Use Disorder
VanDeusen, T. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-68894-7_18
Nene, S. S. (2017) · ResearchSpace (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Aizpurua‐Olaizola, O., Omar, J., Navarro, P., Olivares, M., Etxebarría, N., & Usobiaga, A. (2017) · viXra · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.5028344
The Negative Impact of Cannabis Use on School Grades and Intelligence Among Adolescents
Bassiony, M. M., Fawzi, M. M., Ammar, H. K., & Khalil, Y. A. (2020) · Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment · doi:10.1097/adt.0000000000000207
“This early initiation during the sensitive period of adolescence may place individuals on a new neurodevelopmental trajectory, resulting in millions of youth who may not reach their full intellectual potential.(25) This study reported that frequent use of cannabis is associated with lower IQ scores (total and all doma…”
BackgroundA kannabinoidok hatásai és használatuk veszélyei
Szalay, K., & Emri, Z. (2020) · Acta Universitatis de Carolo Eszterházy Nominatae Sectio Biologiae · doi:10.33041/actauniveszterhazybiol.2020.45.23
Executive Functions in Cannabis Users: A Comparative Study
Rathee, S. (2021) · Journal of Anxiety & Depression · doi:10.46527/2582-3264.134
“,[11] reported that cannabis exposure was associated with poor psychomotor performance, sustained attention and cognitive inhibition.”
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Montejano, G. B. R., Pilatti, A., & Pautassi, R. M. (2022) · CES Psicología · doi:10.21615/cesp.6161
“Asimismo, el consumo regular de marihuana por parte de los AE puede alterar procesos cognitivos como la atención y memoria verbal (Lisdahl et al., 2014), memoria de trabajo, toma de decisiones, velocidad psicomotora (Batalla et al., 2013) y el desempeño cognitivo (Volkow et al., 2014).”
BackgroundUnderstanding Early Stressful Experiences as a Risk Factor for Problematic Cannabis Use.
Aubin, K. C. M. (2024) · Carleton University's Institutional Repository (MacOdrum Library, Carleton University) · doi:10.22215/etd/2024-16255
Cognitive Effects of Adolescent and Young Adult Regular Cannabis Use
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Self-citationSmith, R. T., Dahlgren, M. K., Sagar, K. A., Kosereisoglu, D., & Gruber, S. A. (2025) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines13081874
“Age of onset of use is another critical differentiating variable, as cannabis use during developmentally vulnerable periods (e.g., adolescence) is associated with cognitive decrements [38,60]; importantly, this study included adults well beyond the period of neurodevelopmental vulnerability.”
Kerr, E., Read, J. P., & Colder, C. R. (2025) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605251361130
“Cannabis use is especially prevalent in young adulthood (Bae & Kerr, 2020; Hall et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2020; Lisdahl et al., 2014; Read et al., 2022).”
Public health at risk when opinion trumps evidence
Letourneau, N. L. (2017) · doi:10.64628/aam.k9dxdr7fa
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Editorial: Cannabis use and neurocognitive functioning in adolescents
Cservenka, A., & Jacobus, J. (2026) · Frontiers in Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.3389/fradm.2026.1852157
“Decades of research suggest that cannabis use during protracted brain maturation has adverse impacts on brain structure, brain function, and neurocognition among adolescents (1 – 4).”
Exploring Postsecondary Students’ Therapeutic Motives for Cannabis Use: A Qualitative Study
Downey, M. K., Bishop, O. C., Bishop, L. D., Donnan, J. R., Fitzpatrick, G. E., & Harris, N. (2026) · Contemporary Drug Problems · doi:10.1177/00914509261462951
Metadata
- Authors
- Lisdahl, K. M., Wright, N. E., Medina-Kirchner, C., Maple, K. E., & Shollenbarger, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lisdahl, Krista M.
- Venue
- Current Addiction Reports
- Published
- 2014-04-26
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 144-156
- ISSN
- 2196-2952 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4084860
- OpenAlex
- W2101846840
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 120
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 12.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Current Addiction Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA030354)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Keywords
- cannabis use, neurocognitive function, adolescents, young adults, brain development, cognitive function, brain structure, brain function, public health impact
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