Teen Brain and Marijuana
- TeenToTeen
- Jun 26, 2020
- 3 min read
When surveyed, 21% of high school seniors reported use of marijuana in the past 30 days, and 19% reported having smoked cigarettes according to SourcesIn 2010. This statistic reveals two disturbing truths about marijuana use in teenagers: both the drug’s prevalence in teenage life and presumably, the assumption that marijuana is a safer alternative to tobacco.
The “safeness” of marijuana merits contention. Because marijuana is seen as a “natural herb” and has several medical applications, such as being used to treat chronic pain, it is perceived as less dangerous than other drugs. Further, the proliferation of cannabis-infused products, as well as the legalization of marijuana in 11 states, paints marijuana out to be an easily accessible, and therefore, innocuous, drug. The marijuana industry is rapidly growing, with investors pouring more than $10 billion into the North American marijuana industry in 2018 (which is twice the amount invested in the previous three years), according to the Associated Press. As the Marijuana industry continues to experience this seemingly unchecked growth, many scientists and public health professionals have sought to examine the long-term implications of marijuana use, and more specifically, the dangers associated with marijuana use in teenagers.
Some of the consequences of marijuana on the teenage brain include impaired learning and retention of information, injury, car accidents, respiratory issues, a greater chance of lung cancer and heart attack, chronic bronchitis, and more. Because the teenage brain is not fully mature and is therefore more vulnerable to drug exposure, marijuana can significantly impair cognitive functioning in teens. The drug has been shown to impact how connections are formed in the brain, as well as interfere with neurotransmitters and lead to abnormal brain shape and volume. A recent study found that marijuana has a greater negative impact on the cognitive development of a teenager than alcohol does. Another study found that teens who use marijuana on a daily basis lose an average of 5.8 IQ points when they reach adulthood. Marijuana also can double a teen driver’s risk of a car accident, as the drug impairs judgment, alertness, concentration, and reaction time.
It’s also a dangerous decision to “try out” marijuana because you can easily become dependent on the drug. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NDA) people who use marijuana before the age of 18 are 4-7 times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder than adults. According to the NDA, marijuana use disorder constitutes almost 50% of admission for those between the ages of 12 and 17 who are receiving some type of substance use disorder treatment.
Another condition which can arise from long-term use of marijuana is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Symptoms of CHS include repeated bouts of vomiting, nauseous, abdominal pain, decreased food intake and weight loss. Vomiting can become so severe that patients with CHS may need to stay in the hospital for a short time, going on anti-vomiting medicines and receiving IV fluids to combat dehydration. To fully recover from CHS, one must completely stop using marijuana.
Ultimately, there are still many unanswered questions about the long-term implications of marijuana use, and it is best that teenagers avoid using the drug. Marijuana has been shown to lead to cognitive impairment, car accidents, and respiratory issues in teenagers. As marijuana continues to be touted for its medical benefits and infused in drinks, gums, lotions, and more, teenagers and adults alike should stay alert and informed about the dangerous realities of this drug.
Name: Allison Moon
Editor: Nathalia Ramkissoon
Photographer: Rebecca Chang
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