Long-Term Marijuana Use Linked to Sleep and Memory Issues

Recent research from the University of Texas at Dallas has raised concerns about the long-term effects of marijuana use, particularly on sleep and memory.

While marijuana is often used as a sleep aid, the study suggests that chronic weed use may actually lead to sleep problems and memory decline over time. These findings challenge the perception of marijuana as a reliable solution for sleep issues and highlight potential risks associated with prolonged use.

The Study’s Objectives

The research, led by Francesca Filbey, Ph.D., from the University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth, focused on the relationship between long-term marijuana use, sleep quality, and memory function.

A total of 141 regular marijuana users, defined as individuals who consumed the drug more than five days a week for the past year (the Cannabis Use Disorder or CUD group), were compared with 87 non-users. The goal was to assess differences in memory, particularly visuospatial and verbal memory, while examining the role sleep plays in cognitive performance.

Participants were asked to self-report their sleep quality over the past week, and a series of cognitive tests were conducted to measure memory performance, focusing on visuospatial learning and recall.

Sleep Issues Among Long-Term Users

One of the most significant findings was that long-term marijuana users reported more sleep problems compared to non-users. This is particularly notable because many people use marijuana to help with sleep. Despite its widespread use as a sleep aid, the study suggests that regular marijuana consumption may worsen sleep quality over time.

Users reported various sleep issues, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and experiencing disrupted or restless sleep. These disturbances may develop gradually, creating a negative cycle where marijuana use is intended to help with sleep, but ultimately exacerbates the problem.

Impact on Visuospatial Memory

In addition to sleep issues, the study revealed that poor sleep among marijuana users was linked to worse visuospatial memory performance. Visuospatial memory, which involves the ability to remember and manipulate visual and spatial information, is crucial for tasks like navigation and recognizing patterns. The CUD group performed worse on visuospatial memory tests compared to non-users, suggesting a decline in this cognitive function among heavy marijuana users.

The researchers identified sleep quality as a possible mediator in this relationship, meaning that sleep disturbances may have directly contributed to the memory decline observed in marijuana users.

Interestingly, the study found no significant difference between the two groups in verbal memory performance, indicating that marijuana use may specifically affect visuospatial memory while leaving other types of memory intact.

Rethinking Marijuana as a Sleep Aid

The findings challenge the popular notion that marijuana is an effective solution for sleep problems. For regular users, the drug may not offer the long-term benefits they seek for sleep improvement. Instead, it could contribute to ongoing sleep difficulties, which in turn may impair cognitive function.