The Brain Remembers: The Hidden Cost of Young Adult Substance Use

March 23, 2026
Read time: <5 mins
The Brain Remembers The Hidden Cost Of Young Adult Substance Use AdobeStock 300683202 1536x1018

Daily or near-daily use of alcohol, cannabis, and cigarettes in young adulthood is linked to significantly poorer memory later in life, according to a new U-M study. Because this stage is critical for brain development, substance use patterns formed during this time can have lasting effects on cognitive health. In this Michigan News research spotlight, Megan Patrick of the Institute for Social Research explains how different substances impact long-term memory.

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