The effect of cannabis use on prospective memory processes in young adults
Janice Bartholomew
Remembering to perform an intended task at the appropriate time (prospective memory) is an important aspect of memory functioning in the real world. Previous research has suggested that recreational drug use has a detrimental effect upon this ability. To date relatively few studies have investigated the effect of cannabis use on prospective memory performance. In addressing this hiatus, the present thesis extended this initial research to encompass three aims. Firstly, the thesis evaluated the psychometric properties of an objective prospective memory video procedure in order to mitigate criticisms associated with the use of self-report assessment of memory failures in many of these initial studies.
Secondly, the thesis documents a series of quasi-experimental studies comparing cannabis users and non-users in order to examine the effect of cannabis use on prospective memory. Finally, the thesis explored the nature of the deficits observed in an attempt to better understand the neurobiological vulnerability of the cognitive processes underpinning prospective memory to the psychopharmacological effects of cannabis.
