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Marijuana Use and Older Adults' Self-Reported Difficulty Concentrating, Remembering, or Making Decisions
Ellen T Kurtzman1, N Maritza Dowling2,3,4,5, Sarah L Beebe6
1Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
|December 9, 2022
Summary
Older adults who used marijuana in the past month were 1.5 times more likely to experience cognitive difficulties, including problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making. This highlights a significant association between recent marijuana use and cognitive impairment in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cognitive function is crucial for older adults' independence and quality of life.
- Understanding the impact of substance use, such as marijuana, on cognitive health in aging populations is essential.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the relationship between recent marijuana use and cognitive difficulties in adults aged 50 and older.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between self-reported past-month marijuana use and cognitive difficulties (difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions) in adults aged 50 years and older.
- To analyze data from a large, multi-state sample to determine the prevalence and correlates of this relationship.
- To provide empirical evidence to inform public health strategies and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) covering 294,000 adults aged 50+ across 21 U.S. states and two territories from 2016-2019.
- Conducted descriptive analyses to determine the prevalence of past-month marijuana use and self-reported cognitive difficulties (SDCRMD).
- Employed multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between marijuana use and SDCRMD, controlling for demographic and health factors.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of SDCRMD was 11.0%, and past-month marijuana use was reported by 7.1% of the study population.
- Among past-month marijuana users, 19.9% reported experiencing SDCRMD.
- Past-month marijuana users were 1.5 times more likely to report SDCRMD compared to non-users (95% CI [1.1, 2.1]).
Conclusions:
- A significant, positive relationship exists between past-month marijuana use and self-reported cognitive difficulties in adults aged 50 and older.
- This study provides critical initial insights into the link between marijuana use and cognitive function in older adults.
- Further research is warranted to explore the nuances of this association and its implications for cognitive health in aging.
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