Long-Term Cannabis Use and Cognitive Function: Findings from a Longitudinal Study

A recently published study examined the effects of cannabis use on age-related cognitive function in adults. Noting the limited number of studies in this area compared to studies on cannabis use and short-term cognition, the researchers sought to examine the relationship between cannabis use from early adulthood to late midlife and cognitive decline. The study, “Cannabis Use and Age-Related Changes in Cognitive Function From Early Adulthood to Late Midlife in 5162 Danish Men,” was published in November 2024 in Brain and Behavior.

This study examined data from 5162 Danish men born between 1949-1961 who had participated in assessments on cognitive aging and in follow-up questionnaires. Data from the Danish Aging and Cognition (DanACo) cohort was used, which was administered when the mean age of the participants was 20. The follow up questionnaires covered socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health-related factors and was administered when the mean age of the participants was 64.

…Ultimately, the study concluded that, “Men with a history of cannabis use had less cognitive decline from early adulthood to late midlife compared to men without a history of cannabis use. Among cannabis users, neither age of initiation of cannabis use nor frequent use was significantly associated with a greater age-related cognitive decline.”

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