Years of , Smoking <br />Marijuana, May Affect <br />the Ability to <br />Recall Words.<br />A new study suggests that for every 5 years <br />a person smokes marijuana, their ability <br />to recall common words declines. .<br />The study, published in 'JAMA Internal <br />Medicine,' looked at the marijuana <br />habits of people ages 18 to 30...<br />... and then followed up 25 years later.<br />While 84% of participants said <br />they used marijuana initially, less than 12% reported still <br />smoking 25 years later.<br />In the follow-up, <br />participants took <br />standard cognitive <br />tests that measured: , Verbal memory <br />(word recall), .<br />processing speed<br />(like solving simple <br />math problems), .<br />... and higher-level skills that indicate how well different parts of the brain are connecting.<br />According to the study, <br />the longer people used <br />marijuana, the worse they <br />did on all three fronts. .<br />Taking into account other <br />factors that could affect the <br />results, researchers say only <br />the association between <br />long-term marijuana use and <br />verbal memory persisted. .<br />Specifically, the study <br />suggests that for every <br />five years someone <br />smokes, they can <br />recall one less word <br />from a list of 15 words.<br />The study authors say they plan to invite <br />participants back for a 30-year visit to <br />undergo further cognitive testing
