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Study Reveals Troubling Link Between Marijuana and False Memories

It’s common understanding that our brain does not operate like a filing cabinet, accessing memories in a simple recall of truth. Memory is more like a restructuring of what one may think is the truth, and every time we access a memory, what we remember is dependent on context, social expectations and subjective wishes. It is an especially complex system of thought that can lead to the formation of false memories. And so, it is difficult enough to remember things correctly under the best of circumstance—it’s especially so when you throw in some marijuana.

According to a new study, researchers found that marijuana consistently increases a person’s susceptibility to false memories. This is especially problematic in the context of a crime, and cannabis-intoxicated witnesses and suspects.

Marijuana and memory

Marijuana and its main psychoactive ingredient have been found to impair memory before, but the recently published study raises the stakes as the first to link using weed to false memories.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that people who took just one hit of weed doubled their number of “false memories” in a virtual reality scenario compared to those who puffed on a placebo, said study author Johannes Ramaekers, a professor of psychopharmacology at Maastricht University in The Netherlands.

“We are all prone to the formation of false memories, independent of cannabis use,” Ramaekers said. “The susceptibility for false memory, however, increases with cannabis. Under cannabis, users can easily accept fake truths for true memory.”

Why does this matter?

With some 11 states, as well as Washington D.C., having legalized marijuana, a rise in false memories could begin to play a larger role in criminal matters, said study co-author Elizabeth Loftus, a professor of psychological science in the department of criminology at the University of California, Irvine.

“This new work is suggesting authorities need to be extra careful when interviewing somebody,” Loftus said. They should consider removing “them from a situation where they might be exposed to suggestive information that could contaminate their memory.”

If witnesses and suspects are stoned, whatever questioning that needs to happen should take place as soon as the person has sobered up, the study suggests. Ideally, the questioning would occur between false memory susceptibility and expected memory decay.

But if a person is under the influence when an event happens, they may still display a “yes” bias toward new information later, the researchers say. This means cannabis-intoxicated people may need to be treated as a “vulnerable” group in the context of crimes, similar to a child or the elderly, they say. If so, that could dramatically change both how we investigate and prosecute crimes.

And it’s not just the integrity of police investigations that may be potentially influenced by false memories, most human interaction relies on an accurate recall of previous information and experiences.

“There are lots of situations where somebody’s memory matters,” Loftus said. “For example, a family dispute such as two siblings arguing about what happened in the past over a Thanksgiving table.”

Just what are false memories anyway?

There are two kinds of false memories: They are either spontaneous—a result of internal cognitive processes—or suggestion-based—occurring because of external suggestions. The study looked at the effects of marijuana on the ability to form both. It turns out that elevated false memories are the norm when THC affects memory retrieval.

The most important takeaway from the study is that cannabis exerted a general impact on memory by increasing various types of recollective errors, the researchers say. There is a debate over how different types of false memories relate to each other, but the current study shows that intoxicated individuals may be at higher risk of forming “all kinds of memory errors, which can be perilous in investigative interview settings.”

See also: Andrea Gibson is Still Screaming, This Time About Love
The Lumineers: New Album Explores Addiction
Essential Oils Are Essential Self-Care

Smoke buddy Air Filter

The Smokebuddy Air Filter: Smoke Where You Want, Not Where You Can

College dorms and common areas are generally not considered ‘hotspots’ of personal privacy. From loud music and social gatherings to the (not so) infamous Popcorn Arson down the hall, control over the sounds, smells and serenity of your personal space is limited. Furthermore, students who enjoy tobacco or cannabis products face even greater restrictions—both on and off campus.

Fortunately, for the benefit of both smokers and non-smokers alike, Smokebuddy has created the first truly personal air filter. By combining highly-advanced, HEPA filter technology with a versatile array of colors, themes and form factors, there’s a Smokebuddy to meet everyone’s needs—regardless if it’s a mad dash to class, relaxing with your suite-mates or a Saturday night blowout with your entire dorm. In your room. Registered with your resident advisor, of course!

The simplicity of the design is what makes it so brilliant; rather than filtering an entire room or area, Smokebuddy personal filters purify the air exhaled directly through the filter.  The Activated Carbon core is combined with Ceramic Bead technology to filter away contaminants and remove smoke and odors.  By eliminating the impact on your immediate area, your neighbors and the environment, you can tailor your efforts towards your laser-like focus on attaining a higher education, free from the shackles of wandering RA’s, unhappy roommates or letting a social life get the best of your studies. There are no batteries or filters to replace, no apps to download, no assembly instructions; the only complexity you’ll face is getting it out of the box.

Smokebuddy purifiers come in Junior, Original and Mega forms, the difference being the size and the lifespan of the filter. The “Junior” is perfect for purses, pockets, backpacks or coats and has a lifespan of 150+ uses.  The “Original” (and best-selling) is great for dorm rooms, automobiles, travel (and more), with a lifespan exceeding 300 uses.  The monster of them all, the “Mega,” is a beast, suited for the serious consumer. It’s great for apartments, dorm halls or suites, even the football team, and designed to last as long as your lungs will (give or take). The affordable, long-lasting filter is made from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic (PCR) and can be recycled once the filter lifespans expires.

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If you’re a college-aged smoker, you’re probably asking yourself right now, “Could it get any better?” The answer to that, of course, is “YES!” For a limited time, Smokebuddy is offering a preferred discount to College News readers.  Simply enter “BACKTOSCHOOL” in the Discount Code section at checkout and receive a “20%” discount on your entire order.  Act fast, as this offer is good only through the date of your first exam.

Smokebuddy’s motto is “Keep Your Smoke to Yourself,” which is exactly what it allows you to do.  We can’t guarantee it will make you an admirable roommate, but by reducing your impact on the space and the people around you, it’s a step in the right direction.  With regards to the Popcorn Arson and your snoring roommate, unfortunately, you’re on your own.

 Smokebuddy

Smokebuddy was founded in 2008 with the sole focus of producing high-quality, personal air filters, providing our customers the freedom to smoke what they want, when they want. We design and develop one-of-a-kind products that eliminate smoke, odors and pollutants while reducing their impact on non-smokers and the environment. Our products and sponsorships efforts support a variety of charities as well as our local community, and our warehouse, headquarters and distribution facilities are proudly located in southern California.

You can find more information about Smokebuddy and our extensive product line at www.smokebuddy.com.  For distribution inquiries and wholesale opportunities, contact us at (818) 762-6061 or via email sales@smokebuddy.com.