Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application
Abstract Background Acute cannabis use has been demonstrated to slow reaction time and affect decision-making and short-term memory. These effects may have utility in identifying impairment associated with recent use. However, these effects have not been widely investigated among individuals with a...
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cannabis Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-024-00215-1 |
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| author | Ashley Brooks-Russell Julia Wrobel Tim Brown L. Cinnamon Bidwell George Sam Wang Benjamin Steinhart Gregory Dooley Michael J. Kosnett |
| author_facet | Ashley Brooks-Russell Julia Wrobel Tim Brown L. Cinnamon Bidwell George Sam Wang Benjamin Steinhart Gregory Dooley Michael J. Kosnett |
| author_sort | Ashley Brooks-Russell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Acute cannabis use has been demonstrated to slow reaction time and affect decision-making and short-term memory. These effects may have utility in identifying impairment associated with recent use. However, these effects have not been widely investigated among individuals with a pattern of daily use, who may have acquired tolerance. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of tolerance to cannabis on the acute effects as measured by reaction time, decision-making (gap acceptance), and short-term memory. Methods Participants (ages 25–45) completed a tablet-based (iPad) test battery before and approximately 60 min after smoking cannabis flower. The change in performance from before to after cannabis use was compared across three groups of cannabis users: (1) occasional use (n = 23); (2) daily use (n = 31); or (3) no current use (n = 32). Participants in the occasional and daily use group self-administered ad libitum, by smoking or vaping, self-supplied cannabis flower with a high concentration of total THC (15–30%). Results The occasional use group exhibited decrements in reaction time (slowed) and short-term memory (replicated fewer shapes) from before to after cannabis use, as compared to the no-use group. In the gap acceptance task, daily use participants took more time to complete the task post-smoking cannabis as compared to those with no use or occasional use; however, the level of accuracy did not significantly change. Conclusions The findings are consistent with acquired tolerance to certain acute psychomotor effects with daily cannabis use. The finding from the gap acceptance task which showed a decline in speed but not accuracy may indicate a prioritization of accuracy over response time. Cognitive and psychomotor assessments may have utility for identifying impairment associated with recent cannabis use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7e49fa60fed54ad3961635fd5ec1a982 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2522-5782 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cannabis Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e49fa60fed54ad3961635fd5ec1a9822025-01-12T12:38:16ZengBMCJournal of Cannabis Research2522-57822024-02-016111010.1186/s42238-024-00215-1Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based applicationAshley Brooks-Russell0Julia Wrobel1Tim Brown2L. Cinnamon Bidwell3George Sam Wang4Benjamin Steinhart5Gregory Dooley6Michael J. Kosnett7Injury and Violence Prevention Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDepartment of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDriving Safety Research Institute, University of IowaInstitute of Cognitive Science, University of ColoradoDepartment of Pediatrics, CU School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDepartment of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusDepartment of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State UniversityDepartment of Medicine, CU School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAbstract Background Acute cannabis use has been demonstrated to slow reaction time and affect decision-making and short-term memory. These effects may have utility in identifying impairment associated with recent use. However, these effects have not been widely investigated among individuals with a pattern of daily use, who may have acquired tolerance. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of tolerance to cannabis on the acute effects as measured by reaction time, decision-making (gap acceptance), and short-term memory. Methods Participants (ages 25–45) completed a tablet-based (iPad) test battery before and approximately 60 min after smoking cannabis flower. The change in performance from before to after cannabis use was compared across three groups of cannabis users: (1) occasional use (n = 23); (2) daily use (n = 31); or (3) no current use (n = 32). Participants in the occasional and daily use group self-administered ad libitum, by smoking or vaping, self-supplied cannabis flower with a high concentration of total THC (15–30%). Results The occasional use group exhibited decrements in reaction time (slowed) and short-term memory (replicated fewer shapes) from before to after cannabis use, as compared to the no-use group. In the gap acceptance task, daily use participants took more time to complete the task post-smoking cannabis as compared to those with no use or occasional use; however, the level of accuracy did not significantly change. Conclusions The findings are consistent with acquired tolerance to certain acute psychomotor effects with daily cannabis use. The finding from the gap acceptance task which showed a decline in speed but not accuracy may indicate a prioritization of accuracy over response time. Cognitive and psychomotor assessments may have utility for identifying impairment associated with recent cannabis use.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-024-00215-1Drug impairmentCannabis useDrug toleranceReaction timePsychomotor performance cannabis-impaired driving |
| spellingShingle | Ashley Brooks-Russell Julia Wrobel Tim Brown L. Cinnamon Bidwell George Sam Wang Benjamin Steinhart Gregory Dooley Michael J. Kosnett Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application Journal of Cannabis Research Drug impairment Cannabis use Drug tolerance Reaction time Psychomotor performance cannabis-impaired driving |
| title | Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application |
| title_full | Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application |
| title_fullStr | Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application |
| title_short | Effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time, decision-making, and memory using a tablet-based application |
| title_sort | effects of acute cannabis inhalation on reaction time decision making and memory using a tablet based application |
| topic | Drug impairment Cannabis use Drug tolerance Reaction time Psychomotor performance cannabis-impaired driving |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-024-00215-1 |
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