Cannabis Cessation and Neurocognitive Recovery: Patterns, Predictors, and Clinical Implications—A Systematic Review

As cannabis gets stronger and people start using it younger, clinicians need to know how far the brain can recover once someone stops. This CME activity is based on a systematic review of 26 studies in The American Journal on Addictions. It looks at how the brain and cognition recover after cannabis cessation:

  • How fast recovery happens: CB1 receptors returned to normal within 4 weeks, and cognition improved within the first week.
  • What affects recovery: people who started using as adolescents recovered less fully than those who started as adults, and heavy users took longer.
  • What lasts: problems with attention and executive function can continue beyond the first weeks.

The activity helps clinicians decide how long to treat, set realistic expectations with patients and families, and tailor monitoring to each patient.

Target Audience

Healthcare Professionals

Learning Objectives

To evaluate patterns and predictors of neurocognitive recovery following cannabis cessation and their implications for the clinical management of cannabis use disorder

Activity Disclosure

No commercial support has been accepted related to the development or publication of this activity. This activity underwent peer review in line with the standards of editorial integrity and publication ethics.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Course opens: 
06/03/2026
Course expires: 
06/02/2029
Cost:
$0.00

Article Authors

Valerio Ricci MD, PhD | Thomas Fraccalini MD | Giovanni Martinotti MD, PhD | Giuseppe Maina MD, PhD

This activity underwent peer review in line with the standards of editorial integrity and publication ethics. Conflicts of interest have been identified and resolved in accordance with John Wiley and Sons, Inc.’s Policy on Activity Disclosure and Conflict of Interest.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

John Wiley and Sons, Inc. designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing medical education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

This activity is designed to be completed within 1 hour. To successfully earn credit, participants must complete the activity during the valid credit period, which is up to three years from initial publication. Additionally, up to 3 attempts and a score of 80% or better is needed to pass the post test and claim CC credit. [ACGME competency/CC category: Medical Knowledge].

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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