MJ and Memory: What Do Studies Say?

Researchers have linked memory impairment to THC, the main psychoactive component in MJ. THC binds to CB1 receptors in areas of the brain that are crucial for memory, such as the hippocampus. This binding disrupts the encoding of new information, making it harder to store and later retrieve memories.

However, CBD can help counteract THC’s negative effects on memory. In a 2020 study, participants who used THC with higher amounts of CBD did not experience memory impairment—CBD played a protective role.

Importantly, scientists have found that MJ use does not cause permanent memory damage. A 2018 review of 69 studies showed that frequent cannabis users who abstained for 72 hours experienced significant improvements in memory. Their performance on memory tests matched those who had never used or rarely used cannabis.

At the same time, cannabis may have positive effects on neurodegenerative diseases that impact memory, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Animal studies have shown that cannabis components can slow down or prevent the progression of these diseases by promoting the creation of new neurons.