Individuals were grouped as heavy lifetime cannabis users if they had greater than 1000 uses, as moderate users if they had 10 to 999 uses, and as nonusers if they had fewer than 10 uses. Heavy weed use appears to dull the brains of young adults, particularly affecting their short-term working memory, a new study suggests. MRI scans showed less brain activation in heavy tokers performing tasks that tested their ability to temporarily hold a limited amount of information at the ready for immediate mental use, according to results published Jan. 28 in JAMA Network Open.

Signs that ADHD may be affecting a person’s driving include: Forgetting to check blind spots, Making unsafe lane changes, Ignoring speed limits and other signs, Rubbernecking, Turning to look at passengers Texting or talking on the phone, Trying to use social media in the car, Struggling to focus during long trips, Taking photos or videos while moving, Reaching for items in the floorboard or back seat, Falling asleep after driving for several hours, Losing control of the vehicle, Adjusting cabin controls constantly, Failing to stay in a lane, Missing stoplight changes, Attempting to multitask, Receiving multiple traffic tickets, Getting into preventable accidents. If you notice these behaviors in yourself, a friend, or a family member, it may be time to speak with a clinician about ADHD and driving.

From Dr. Sachs: "Take with a grain of salt and don't just believe one study. Nevertheless, I felt this was an important article/study to pass along that just made the news." A study of more than 30,000 British adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or A.D.H.D., found that, on average, they were dying earlier than their counterparts in the general population — around seven years earlier for men, and around nine for women.