Young Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder Show Normal Social Cognition | Research

The takeaway

In a controlled study of 115 young adults, those with cannabis use disorder showed no significant impairments in emotion recognition, face memory, or emotional differentiation compared to non-using controls.

Addiction researchers; clinicians assessing cognitive effects of cannabis use disorder.

Effect sizes of d = 0 to 0.314 (all non-significant) across social cognition measures

What the researchers found

There were no significant effects of CUD on social cognition measures including emotion recognition, emotional differentiation, or immediate/delayed face memory (effect sizes d = 0-0.314). Neither problematic use severity nor cannabis dosage was associated with social cognition performance.

Why it matters

Social cognition deficits are often assumed to accompany substance use disorders and can affect interpersonal relationships and treatment engagement. This well-controlled study suggests these deficits may not be a defining feature of CUD in young adults, challenging assumptions about cannabis-related social impairment.

The numbers in context

83 CUD participants, 32 controls. Effect sizes ranged from d = 0 to 0.314 (all non-significant). No associations between CUDIT-R scores or cannabis grams/past month and social cognition. Controlled for nicotine, alcohol, anxiety, and recency of use.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional comparison of 83 young adults endorsing CUD and 32 controls. Assessed emotion recognition, emotional differentiation, and face memory tasks. Analyses controlled for hours since last cannabis use, nicotine/alcohol use, and trait anxiety.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design at a single time point. The CUD group was young (18-32) and relatively well-educated, which may have protected against social cognitive decline. The sample was not treatment-seeking, potentially excluding more severe cases.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: well-controlled design accounting for key confounders, but cross-sectional with a relatively young, educated sample that may not represent all CUD populations.

When this study was published

2025 study.

The bigger picture

If CUD does not impair social cognition in young adults, the interpersonal problems associated with cannabis use disorder may stem from behavioral choices and social contexts rather than from cognitive deficits in understanding others' emotions. This distinction matters for treatment approaches.

Questions still open

Would social cognition deficits emerge in older CUD populations or those with longer use histories? Do treatment-seeking CUD patients show different social cognition profiles?

Common questions

Does this mean cannabis does not affect the brain?

Not necessarily. Social cognition is just one aspect of cognitive function. This same research group found that CUD was associated with lower verbal IQ in a companion study. The results suggest social understanding is relatively preserved while other cognitive domains may be affected.

Why might young adults be protected?

The authors suggest younger age and higher education or IQ may serve as protective factors against social cognitive alterations. Older users with longer histories and more cumulative exposure might show different results.

Read the original research

Social cognition in young adults who endorse a cannabis use disorder.

Psychopharmacology

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Abbott, Gabrielle; Greenwood, Lisa-Marie; Bartschi, Jessica G; Dunsford, Suraya; Goodwin, Isabella; Paloubis, Anastasia; Quinones-Valera, Marianna; McTavish, Eugene; Verdejo-Garcia, Antonio; Cousijn, Janna; Chan, Gary C K; Solowij, Nadia; Lorenzetti, Valentina. (2025). Social cognition in young adults who endorse a cannabis use disorder.. Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-025-06890-z