What is a potential long-term cognitive effect of marijuana use?

The potential long-term cognitive effect of marijuana use is that it can negatively impact cognition. Research indicates that chronic cannabis use, particularly when started during adolescence, is associated with deficits in attention, memory, and executive functions. Users may experience difficulties in learning and retaining new information, which can have significant effects on academic performance and daily functioning.

Long-term users may find that their ability to process information, solve problems, and recall memories is impaired. These cognitive effects may be due to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of marijuana, which influences brain areas involved in memory and learning, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

While some might argue that marijuana could enhance creativity or improve memory, such claims are often anecdotal and not consistently supported by scientific evidence. In fact, the consensus in the literature leans towards the understanding that regular use, especially in formative years, can lead to detrimental cognitive outcomes rather than improvements. Obesity and other unrelated factors do not correlate directly with marijuana usage in terms of cognitive impact, making the chosen answer the most accurate regarding the consequences of prolonged marijuana use on cognitive functioning.