Regular users of cannabis are less aware of their own mistakes, and they are not good at creative thinking, concludes new research on the effects of cannabis
© ShutterDivision / FotoliaKowal studied the direct and chronic effects of cannabis on dopamine-related functions, such as creative thinking and the ability to recognize one's own mistakes.
Regular users of cannabis are less aware of their own mistakes, and they are not good at creative thinking. This is the conclusion drawn by psychologist Mikael Kowal from his research on the effects of cannabis. PhD defence 6 October.
DopamineKowal conducted experiments on 40 regular users of cannabis. The control group of 20 non-users were given a placebo. Kowal studied the direct and chronic effects of cannabis on dopamine-related functions, such as creative thinking and the ability to recognise one's own mistakes. The brain chemical dopamine is important for the proper working of the brain and also plays a role in learning performance.
Less good at brainstormingKowal's research showed that cannabis users were less able to brainstorm, a mental process that is crucial for creative performance:
'There is a widespread belief among users that these drugs enhance creativity. This experiment disproves that belief.'Poor at recognising mistakesKowal also demonstrated that for chronic users the brain
processes involved in monitoring mistakes also work less effectively. A high dose of cannabis seems to influence both the unconscious processing of mistakes and also the later and more conscious stages of error processing. Kowal: 'It is important that we gather more knowledge about the effects of cannabis on a person's ability to detect mistakes. This can help with putting together a treatment programme for drug addiction.'
Lower dopamine productionThe research also indicated clear long-term effects:
cannabis disrupts the activity of dopamine in the brain. With chronic users a significant reduction was seen in the frequency of spontaneous eye blinking, an indication of a reduction in dopamine production.
More research neededThe conclusion from other scientific research is that regular cannabis use does not necessarily have disastrous effects for the take-up of dopamine. It may well be that the age at which cannabis is first used is a crucial factor, Kowal suggests. The type of cannabis and the way neurobiological processes interact with one another can also result in individual differences. Kowal: 'More research is needed on the effects of cannabis and on the individual consequences it can have on mental functions.'
One test proves nothing, and people can probably find test results to "prove" anything they want.
Doesn't this sort of fly in the face of reality? Would like to see some statistics regarding musicians, artists of all sorts, writers,
and any other activity where creativity is of major importance. Bet there is a high percentage of casual users.
Not monitoring mistakes??? Not sure what that means, (often make typos?) but the different states of consciousness may provide a more stereoscopic view which is a way of seeing if you are making significant mistakes... Following the herd is a habit too, and checking in with a different mind set may reveal where the serious errors are.