Try This –The Hidden Risks of Weed: What This New Study Reveals

The conversation around cannabis has changed a lot in the last decade. 

What used to be a taboo topic is now mainstream. Dispensaries are popping up everywhere, and weed is marketed as a wellness tool for relaxation, creativity, and even pain management.

I’ve never personally been into cannabis. I’ve tried it once or twice, but it’s not my thing. That said, I’m not here to pass judgment. What I am here to do is sound the alarm about something I’ve seen firsthand—and now, science is backing it up in a big way.

The Memory Problem No One’s Talking About

Over the years, I’ve encountered many young men, but one woman as well—who have had terrible reactions to cannabis. Some used it casually, others daily. But a handful of them, the hardcore users, developed something truly frightening: weed-induced psychosis.

I’m talking about paranoia, delusions, full-blown breaks from reality. All of these young men, the hardcore users that developed psychosis,  were never quite the same after. And it turns out, they’re not alone.

But beyond the more extreme cases, there’s a far more common—and insidious—problem with long-term cannabis use that many people overlook: its impact on memory and cognitive function.

A brand-new study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that both recent and heavy lifetime cannabis use are associated with diminished brain activation and cognitive performance during working memory tasks.

Let’s break it down.

The Study: What You Need to Know

Researchers examined 1,003 adults aged 22 to 36 using brain imaging technology. They discovered that:

• 63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users showed reduced brain activity during working memory tasks.

• 68% of recent users exhibited similar diminished activity.

This means that even moderate, long-term use of cannabis could be subtly eroding your brain’s ability to retain information, focus, and process complex thoughts.

Now, some of you might be thinking: “That’s only for heavy smokers, right?” Not so fast.

While the effects were most pronounced in chronic users, even occasional users showed noticeable differences in cognitive performance. The researchers suggest that this may be due to long-term THC exposure altering key neural pathways that support memory and learning.

Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not a Heavy Smoker)

Here’s the thing: Cannabis today is way stronger than it was 20-30 years ago. The THC levels in modern strains are often 5-10x higher than what people were smoking in the 70s and 80s. This ultra-potent weed is being consumed in massive quantities—often daily—by young people whose brains are still developing.

And that’s where things get concerning.

The human brain doesn’t fully mature until around age 25, and THC directly interacts with key neural pathways involved in memory, decision-making, and mental stability. Chronic use—especially before the brain is fully developed—may be rewiring these systems in a way that can’t easily be undone.

On top of that, the study also reinforced previous findings that cannabis use disorder (CUD) significantly increases the risk of schizophrenia in young men. 

Other studies (shoutout to Nicholas Fabiano, MD on X for pointing this one out) show that since the legalization of marijuana, new cases of cannabis-linked schizophrenia have tripled! 

While psychosis may not be a concern for everyone, the gradual erosion of cognitive ability should be.

What Can You Do? Try This.

1. If you use cannabis, take an honest look at your relationship with it. Are you using it occasionally? Or has it become a crutch for stress, sleep, or social anxiety? The risk increases with frequency and potency.

2. If you have a young person in your life who smokes regularly, share this information. They deserve to know the facts about long-term risks.

3. Consider taking a break. If you’re a regular user, try a 30-day reset and see how your mind and body feel. Many people report clearer thinking, better sleep, and improved mood after stepping back from cannabis.

4. Stay informed. This is just the beginning of what we’re learning about long-term cannabis use. Science is catching up, and we’ll likely see more studies emerge in the coming years.

Final Thoughts

Again, I’m not here to demonize cannabis. But I am deeply concerned about the long-term risks—especially for young men. If this study teaches us anything, it’s that weed isn’t the harmless plant many assume it to be.

If you’re using it, use it wisely. And if you’re seeing red flags—whether in yourself or someone you love—don’t ignore them.

Stay curious, stay informed, and as always, take care of your mind and body. 

Dhru Purohit