Table 2. Studies Examining Sex Differences in Cannabis Users on Neurocognitive Functioning.
| Study | Age | Female Users | Female Controls | Male Users | Male Controls | Length of Abstinence | Findings Pertaining to Sex Differences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M (SD) | n | n | n | n | minimum | ||
| Acute Neurocognitive Studies | |||||||
| Anderson et al. 2010 | 20.50 (2.70) |
35 | -- | 35 | -- | After smoking THC (2.9%) |
No difference on visuospatial processing, time estimation, and cognitive flexibility |
| Makela et al. 2006 | 21.80 (0.93) |
-- | 7 | -- | 12 | After ingesting 8.5mg THC |
Spatial working memory was enhanced in females, but not males |
| McDonald et al. 2003 | 23.00 (4.48) |
19 | -- | 18 | -- | After ingesting 7.5 or 15mg THC |
No difference on impulsivity |
| Roser et al. 2009 | 27.90 (2.90) |
-- | 12 | -- | 12 | After ingesting 10mg THC or THC w/5.4mg CBD |
Males had faster left-hand tapping than females in both conditions |
| Non-Acute Neurocognitive Studies | |||||||
| Clark et al. 2009 | 23.25 (unk) |
10 | 7 | 5 | 12 | Unk | Male users psychomotor performance < male controls; no difference among females |
| King et al. 2011 | 22.70 (unk) |
14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 hours | Male users psychomotor performance and visuospatial organization < male controls; no difference among females |
| Pope et al. 1997 | Unk | 24 | -- | 31 | -- | 19 hours | Heavy female visuospatial performance < light female; no difference among the males; or in attention & inhibition |
| Solowij et al. 2011 | 18.30 (0.63) |
21 | 44 | 31 | 18 | 12 hours | No interaction of group or sex on episodic memory |
| Tait et al. 2011 | 22.65 (unk) |
586 | 239 | 493 | 181 | (baseline
measures of 8 year study) |
No interaction of group or sex on episodic and working memory |
| Neuroimaging Studies | |||||||
| McQueeny et al. 2011 | 17.81 (unk) |
8 | 11 | 27 | 36 | 28 days | Female users right amygdalar volume > female controls, no difference among males |
| Medina et al. 2009 | 18.06 (unk) |
4 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 28 days | Female users prefrontal cortex > female controls; male users prefrontal cortex < male controls |
Note: All values are means and standard deviations unless otherwise noted; unk, unknown; THC, tetrahydrocannabinol; CBD, cannabidiol