Does cannabis lower performance at work or in studies?

Whether cannabis lowers performance at work or at university cannot be said across the board. The effect depends on amount, frequency, age and life situation. According to Sucht Schweiz, cannabis can dampen motivation during intoxication, and in some heavy long-term users, memory and concentration are impaired. Anyone who wants to keep an eye on their performance should know these connections.

What cannabis does to the mind

According to feel-ok.ch, cannabis and alcohol both have a negative effect on concentration and reaction ability. For work and study, this means that anyone who has used should not take on tasks that require full attention.

Sucht Schweiz describes that it is not established that cannabis use leads to a lasting loss of drive. During intoxication, however, cannabis can have an inhibiting effect on motivation. In some heavy long-term users, memory and concentration are impaired. According to the text, these impairments usually recede once use ends.

What studies on memory show

A drug research study with 88 participants aged 16 to 25 examined memory after stopping. The improvement was already visible in the week after the last use. It remains unclear, however, how lasting such changes are. The study therefore offers an indication that still needs confirming.

The role of exercise

Another study suggests that exercise can support the recovery of brain performance in people who want to stop. The study included 79 participants, 37 of them with weekly use, over three weeks. The study is rather small. According to the drugcom report, physically active users showed clearly better brain performance than users without exercise.

School and training

On its page on dangers for young people, the Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit (BIÖG) points out that frequent cannabis use disrupts concentration. This can lead to problems at school and in training. Young people who use cannabis regularly also risk a reduction in their cognitive performance. This point is especially relevant for young people, because their training sets the course during this phase. The article How does cannabis affect memory and school qualifications? goes deeper into the topic.

Typical situations at work

Declining performance can have many causes, such as sleep, stress or other burdens. If you postpone tasks, make more mistakes or concentrate less well, you can observe whether this coincides with times of use. A clear cause cannot be derived from this. A medical check-up helps to rule out other reasons.

Changes take time. If you observe your performance over several weeks, you recognise patterns better than after a single day. Notes from everyday life are the best basis for this.

If you notice losses in performance, you do not have to classify them alone. A conversation with a counselling service can help you look at use, sleep and stress together. For students, the university's services can also help.

A short conversation with a trusted person about irregularities can relieve pressure. It often shows whether others have noticed similar changes.

First steps when performance declines

If performance declines, a calm review helps. Note in which situations you are focused and when you are not. Check whether use plays a role in these phases, for example the evening before an exam or the morning after using. Anyone who has used regularly for a long time and then pauses may experience withdrawal symptoms. According to the drugcom FAQ, they usually begin 24 to 48 hours after the last use and generally last up to a week, and at most up to 14 days. Sleep problems and strange dreams are named, for example. For severe complaints, medical advice helps.

• Note consumption times and phases of performance side by side.
• Stop using for a week before important appointments and observe the change.
• Talk to a trusted person about any irregularities.
• If problems persist, see a counselling service or your family doctor.

When support makes sense

If use noticeably affects work or studies, counselling is worthwhile. The Sucht & Drogen Hotline can be reached on 01806 313031 (daily from 8:00 to 24:00, charged). According to its own information, DigiSucht offers anonymous and free contact with counsellors.

How recovery after stopping can proceed is shown in the article What happens when you stop after long-term cannabis use?.