Marijuana and Your Teen’s Brain

Can’t be that harmful?

With the legalization of marijuana, many teens have started thinking that it is now okay to use it. They often justify their use by saying it helps lower their stress and anxiety, helps them sleep, or helps their appetite. Teens often dismiss the warnings by adults that it can harm their developing brains, *insert eye roll. 

Marijuana is Linked to some pretty scary things!

The National Academy of Medicine in 2017 published a report that outlines the effects of marijuana use. They found that marijuana use causes an increased risk of and/or worsening of psychotic disorders (i.e. Schizophrenia), anxiety (social anxiety, panic attacks, etc.) and mood disorders, PTSD, other substance use disorders, and suicidality. Even if marijuana does provide temporary relief for some mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, it causes them to be worse over time.

The study found that those who are predisposed to having a psychotic disorder, meaning that they have a genetic component, are significantly at a higher risk for actually developing a psychotic disorder if they use marijuana. This means that someone may have a psychotic disorder in their genes, but it could stay dormant and not be activated. If this person uses marijuana, it is very likely that the psychosis will be activated and there is no way to turn it off once it is initiated. 

Teens are in the MOST Danger!

Marijuana and adolescent brains are a dangerous combination, due to the fact that teen brains are still developing. Marijuana can cause damage to an adolescent brain that cannot be repaired. Some of the negative effects of marijuana use, especially for adolescents, include short term memory loss, altered judgement that leads to risky behaviors, impaired driving, paranoia, psychosis, and a lowered immune system. Another effect they found for teens was a lowering of IQ (intelligent quotient) points, usually between 5 and 8 points, which can never be regained. This can impact their ability to go to college and affect employment. 

Prolonged use of marijuana can cause Amotivational Syndrome, which includes symptoms of mental slowing, decreased ability to plan, decreased judgement, decreased concentration, decreased memory, apathy, lowered pursuit of goals, lower educational attainment, and unemployment. 

Vape isn’t Safe

Other fun fact: Vape pens contain butane, which is used for fuel, such as gasoline and propane, and is highly flammable. When people vape, they are also inhaling the butane. 

Marijuana leads to more problems

Other studies have shown that marijuana use is associated with an increased risk for other substance abuse disorders. Once the pathways (for pleasure and relief) in the brain are created, it is easy to continue pursuing those routes. This means that if someone is using marijuana to cope with anxiety, for example, it is likely that they would pursue other substances to also find pleasure and relief. Marijuana may provide temporary relief from anxiety due to its numbing effect, but when that wears off, people may look for another substance (alcohol, heroin, opioids, etc.) to provide stronger and longer-lasting relief.

Your teen does Marijuana or their friend does!

Marijuana use is becoming more and more common among teens and even among children in some areas. Peer pressure to use marijuana and other drugs may be higher today than ever before. While teens may be noticing temporary, positive effects of marijuana use, it is important to understand the risks involved as well as the long-term effects. More information on marijuana laws and effects can be found by clicking on these links.