Cannabis and Confabulation: An Intrusive Relationship

Abstract

Introduction

The association between the neurocognitive impact of cannabis use and deficits in working and declarative memory is well documented. Studies with cannabis users suggest that recognition memory is particularly susceptible to cannabinoid acute intoxication. Studies carried out in the 1970s using free memory tests, showed that cannabis users not only named fewer words having also a tendency to evoke intrusive memories. Interestingly, a recent study has exposed an association between cannabis consumption and increased likelihood of creating fake memories.

Objectives

The main objective of this work is to do literature revision, framing old data with recent works, exposing the relationship between cannabis consumption and memory confabulation/intrusion.

Methodology

Literature review, comparison and description of empirical data [1].

Results

Recent studies show that both cannabis users and abstinents are more susceptible to create false memories, not being able to identify trap stimuli as events that never occurred.

Discussion/conclusions

Changes in perception and memory deficits are two common consequences of acute marijuana intoxication. The fact that these deficits remain during drug abstinence demonstrates the relevance of better understanding the mechanisms by which cannabinoids alter such cognitive functions. Reductions in the activation of brain areas comprised in the lateral and temporal lobe and in frontal cortex zones involved in the processes of attention and performance monitoring may be a possible explanation.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.