One of the stereotypes that surround marijuana consumers is that they become forgetful when high on cannabis. However, a new study at the University of Florida has established that such a stereotype is just a myth.
The researchers designed the study in a unique way that involved exposing rats to cannabis smoke so that they inhale it. The rats were first taught to perform a number of delayed response tasks, such as poking the nose into a feeding trough a defined number of times before getting a reward of food pellets.
Alternatively, the rats in the study were required to look for, and press a lever several times before getting their reward.
The rats were divided into two groups based on their gender. In total, 32 rats took part in this study. Females tended to have lower working memory scores when compared to the scores of the males before cannabis smoke was introduced.
The researchers compared the working memory scores of the two groups when the rats were sober and how they performed after being exposed to cannabis smoke. The results showed that there appeared to be no difference in the scores obtained by the male rats when sober and after inhaling cannabis smoke.
However, there was a marked improvement in the working memory of the female rats when they performed the delayed response tasks after being exposed to the marijuana smoke. Remember, the female rats had lower scores in the working memory tasks performed prior to the introduction of cannabis smoke.
The placebo smoke used as a control in the study didn’t trigger any changes in the cognitive performance of either the male or female rats. This leaves the only logical conclusion for the better working memory as attributable to the cannabis smoke to which the rats were exposed.
The researchers also experimented with the dosage, the timing and the route of cannabis administration. Each of these variables triggered a difference in the working memory of the rats in the study.
Consequently, the researchers concluded that the cognitive outcomes observed will vary based on the specific route, dosage and duration of cannabis administration. They called for additional research to be done on this subject so that a better understanding of the effects of cannabis on cognitive function can be attained.
Stakeholders in the cannabis sector, such as Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP) and Marijuana Company of America Inc. (OTCQB: MCOA) welcome all scientific studies that help to separate fact from myth on the subject of marijuana.
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