Visual retention and inhibition of cognitive interference among adolescents with cannabis use

Abstract

Substance abuse is defined as a pathological use of alcohol or drugs, characterized by daily intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and impairment in social or occupational functioning. Cannabis is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs among adolescents. Though cannabis was being used in India for over centuries for medicinal and recreational purposes, it is now one of the widely abused drugs of choice among the youth. Various researchers have contradictory views on neuropsychological effects of cannabis. With the objective of understanding the ability to inhibit cognitive interference among adolescents with cannabis use disorder the current study has selected 20 adolescent cannabis users and healthy participants each. The participants were matched by age and screened for individuals who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study. The ability to retain visual stimulus was assessed using Benton Visual retention test and the ability to inhibit cognitive interference was assessed using Stroop Test. Findings reveal that there is significant difference in visual retention ability among cannabis users after a period of brief abstinence in comparison to healthy adolescents whereas no significant difference was observed in inhibition of cognitive interference among both the groups.