Study Finds Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Cognitive Scores in Patients With Psychotic Disorders

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

February 27 2026

A study of 105 inpatients with psychotic disorders (average age 40.3, 34 females) from multiple institutions found cannabis use linked to higher cognitive scores. Assessments included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for cognition, alongside scales for negative symptoms, depression, psychotic symptoms, and thought disorders. Cannabis users—often male, younger, with earlier psychosis onset—scored higher on MoCA overall, with daily users showing the strongest performance. This contrasts with general population research associating marijuana with cognitive deficits, suggesting a different dynamic in psychotic disorders where cannabis use is common. The unexpected preservation of cognitive function challenges assumptions that cannabis worsens cognition in this group. Researchers caution that factors like dosage, frequency, THC:CBD ratios, and self-selection bias may influence results, urging further investigation into mechanisms and long-term effects. The findings highlight potential neuroprotective or compensatory roles of cannabis in psychosis-related cognitive impairment, while emphasizing the need for nuanced clinical approaches.