r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Jan 28 '25

Neuroscience People who are heavy cannabis users could have poorer working memory skills even if they haven't used the drug recently. Brain scans showed lower brain activation in several regions.

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/heavy-cannabis-use-could-have-a-lasting-effect-on-your-memory-skills
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u/Old-Scarcity665 Jan 29 '25

I have ADHD and my Therapist warned me to use cannabis. She told me that it makes you feel that it helps by calming you down and making your head silent but in reality it makes your ADHD worse because it shortens your already short concentration ability and your memory. A lot of people with ADHD self medicate with cannabis without knowing that it’s actually harmful especially for them.

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u/Far_Back_2925 Jan 29 '25

As a long time user with ADHD I can say that it helps me in some ways and harms in other ways. Memory and longer concentration suffers while it helps with stress and procrastination. As it releases dopamine, it may temporarily improve some symptoms of ADHD.

My theory is that dopamine-receptors get "tired" with overuse and normal things feels less rewarding.