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A Prediction Error-driven Retrieval Procedure for Destabilizing and Rewriting Maladaptive Reward Memories in Hazardous Drinkers
Published on: January 5, 2018
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Recreational substance use is linked with difficulty in recalling personal experiences
Adnan Levent1, Eddy J Davelaar2
1Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, TW20 0EX, UK. adnan.levent@rhul.ac.uk.
Scientific Reports
|October 3, 2025
Summary
Recreational substance use, including cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine, impairs autobiographical memory (AM). Individuals using substances recalled fewer specific personal events and were slower to respond compared to non-users.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Recreational substance use may impact neurotransmitter networks crucial for memory.
- Existing research on substance use and autobiographical memory (AM) is limited, often focusing on cannabis or dependence.
- Previous studies overlooked specific characteristics of recalled memories, focusing on broad AM features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of recreational substance use on specific aspects of autobiographical memory (AM).
- To identify which specific features of AM are most vulnerable to recreational substance use.
Main Methods:
- 100 participants (47 non-users, 53 users) aged 18-55 completed questionnaires and a lab-based AM test.
- Self-report measures assessed substance use, general health, sleep, and alcohol consumption.
- Autobiographical memory recall was assessed for specificity and response latency.
Main Results:
- Recreational substance users recalled significantly fewer specific personal event memories than non-users.
- Substance users were more prone to omitting responses within the allotted time.
- Findings remained significant after controlling for covariates like age and general health.
Conclusions:
- Occasional recreational substance use may impair the retrieval of specific autobiographical memories.
- This study highlights the vulnerability of specific AM aspects to recreational drug use.
- Further research is needed to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these impairments.
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