Adolescents, teens, and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of drug and alcohol use. The teenage years are particularly a critical period for brain development, which substance use can interfere with.
Cannabis use among this age group can cause immediate and long-lasting damage to the young brain, including memory and learning impairments, mood dysregulation, dependency, and addiction.
Marijuana Use in Youth and Adolescents
Marijuana (cannabis) is one of the most commonly used recreational substances among youth and adolescents. In 2022, 37% of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past year, while 6.3% reported using it daily. An estimated 45% of adolescents report marijuana use by age 18, who are also more susceptible to cannabis use disorder and long-term cognitive impairments.
Cannabis use in youth and adolescents can have long-lasting, irreversible effects on the developing brain, especially with chronic or heavy use. Teens are continuously exposed to a variety of cannabis products, such as edibles, vaping devices, e-cigarettes, and blunts/joints. These products are purposefully marketed in ways that appeal to youth and younger demographics.
While cannabis may seem harmless to some, it can interfere with critical developmental stages of the adolescent brain. Teens and adolescents may experience impairments in neurocognitive performance, brain functioning, and microstructural and macrostructural brain development. Drug and alcohol abuse in youth can significantly affect their daily functioning and overall quality of life.
The Effects of Cannabis on Youth
Teens and adolescents are typically more vulnerable to marijuana’s effects and risks. As the brain undergoes significant development and growth, cannabis use can interfere with these processes. The side effects and dangers of marijuana on youth can include:
- Respiratory issues
- Impaired physical coordination
- Anxiety and depression
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Impaired learning
- Memory loss
- Decreased attention span
- Reduced IQ
- Decline in academic performance and achievement
The primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system. This endocannabinoid system is crucial in mood regulation, memory, and cognitive function. This interaction can impact teens and adolescents more, disrupting their normal brain development and growth.
How Cannabis Affects the Adolescent Brain
While the brain stops growing in size in early adolescence, the teen years are the most crucial stages of development. The brain finishes maturing and developing in the mid-to-late 20s, typically around age 25.
Youth and adolescents who engage in cannabis use can face challenges in daily functioning, academic performance, as well as their mental health. Marijuana’s effects on the brain can be long-lasting and irreversible, impairing executive cognitive functions and emotional regulation.
Regular cannabis use in youth and adolescents can result in cannabis dependence and addiction. Cannabis use disorder in youth can have an extensive impact on emotional, academic, social, and neurological development.
Long-Term Cognitive Impairments
Youth cannabis use can result in cognitive deficits such as learning impairments, poor memory, reduced decision-making, and overall executive function. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, affects the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory.
Long-term marijuana use reduces hippocampal volume over time, resulting in difficulties in retaining information and a decline in academic performance.
Reduced Academic Performance
Research indicates that chronic cannabis use during teenage and adolescent years could facilitate a drop in intelligence quotient (IQ). With persistent marijuana dependence, youths may struggle with academic performance due to a decline in executive brain functioning and processing speed.
Adolescents and teens who use cannabis often struggle with decreased learning and focus abilities. Reduced attention span can affect their ability to engage in academic work and complex tasks. These cognitive impairments can be long-lasting, persisting into adulthood even after stopping cannabis use.
Mental Health Challenges
Adolescents, teens, and young adults who use marijuana are more susceptible to developing mental health and mood disorders. Cannabis can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidality, particularly for those who consume it regularly.
Chronic cannabis use increases the risk of psychosis and schizophrenia, particularly in those with genetic vulnerabilities. Mental health disorders in adolescents and teens can impact their social life, sleep quality, performance in school, and overall quality of life.
Social Challenges
The effects of marijuana use, such as mental health and behavioral challenges, can lead to isolation, loneliness, and strained relationships. Cannabis can make you feel lazy and unmotivated, which can cause teens to miss out on social events, family gatherings, and other commitments. This lack of social connection further isolates youth from support systems, exacerbating mental health issues and cannabis abuse.
Teens who use marijuana are predisposed to poorer academic performance, higher dropout rates, and reduced likelihood of pursuing higher education.
Impaired Motor Coordination and Driving
Marijuana use compromises motor skills and coordination, putting youth at risk of motor vehicle accidents and injuries. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in adolescents driving while impaired.
Addressing Cannabis Use Disorder in Teens and Adolescents
The impact of cannabis use on the youth brain can be long-lasting, affecting cognitive, social, and mental health. Addressing cannabis use disorder in teens and adolescents requires involvement from parents, educators, and policymakers. Stronger policies regulating cannabis access to youth alongside education and support programs can help use and associated risks.
Education and Awareness
Protecting the health and well-being of the younger generation from the dangers of cannabis use requires education and awareness. Educational programs covering the risks of marijuana use and how it affects the brain can help youth make wiser decisions. Parents, schools, and healthcare professionals play a critical role in educating teens and young adults on marijuana’s health risks.
Open Communication
When schools, parents, and healthcare providers provide a safe and confidential space, teens are likelier to communicate their struggles and seek help. Encouraging open and nonjudgmental communication about drug and alcohol use fosters understanding and trust.
Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment
Marijuana addiction treatment options for teens and young adults can aid in more effective treatment and support. Tailored rehabilitation programs address the unique challenges of addiction in youth and young adults. Through behavioral therapies, pharmacotherapy, and mental health treatments, our youth can achieve comprehensive healing and long-lasting recovery from cannabis.
Don’t let cannabis impair your daily functioning and overall quality of life another day. Contact Coastal Detox today. Our marijuana detox programs in Stuart, FL, offer inpatient and outpatient options for cannabis use disorder.
References:
- Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 2020. Cannabis and the Developing Adolescent Brain.
- The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 2019. Cannabis effects on brain structure, function, and cognition: considerations for medical uses of cannabis and its derivatives.
- Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2014. Effects of Cannabis on the Adolescent Brain.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Cannabis and Teens.
- National Institute of Mental Health. The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know.
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Adolescents and Marijuana.
- The New England Journal of Medicine, 2014. Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use.