Abstract
Despite the known risks of recreational substance use, it remains widespread worldwide, with millions of individuals using substances like cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA each year. These substances primarily affect neurotransmitter systems, including the endocannabinoid, serotonergic, and dopaminergic systems, which are integral to cognitive functions. This review examines both the acute and long-term effects of cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA on key cognitive domains, specifically retrospective memory, prospective memory, and executive functions. After briefly reviewing the neurochemical mechanisms underlying their actions in the brain, the review provides an overview of the cognitive impairments linked to these substances. However, the interpretation of these findings is complicated by research challenges such as polydrug use, participant recruitment issues, poor control of confounds, and difficulties in establishing causality.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Journal of Addiction & Addictive Disorders |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Aug 2025 |
Keywords
- Cannabis; Cocaine; Cognition; Episodic memory; Executive functions; MDMA; Prospective memory; Recreational substance use; Retrospective memory