And though some purport the substance can improve mood and energy, there are negative effects on cognitive skills — especially in younger users.
While marijuana use hasn’t risen amongst teens, a large study has found the substance has a major impact on the brain.
Researchers from the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) have conducted the largest long-term study in the US on cannabis use in kids.
Analyzing more than 11,000 children from ages 9 to 17, the team tracked both substance use and cognitive performance through self-reporting and biological testing.
Across a range of skills including memory, attention, language and processing speed, teens who used cannabis showed restricted growth during key years of brain development.
Progress in memory, focus and thinking speed leveled off as they got older and started using cannabis compared to their peers who didn’t.
And in smaller groups of participants, those exposed to THC had worsened memory over time, while CBD didn’t have the same effect.
Although the differences were modest, researchers say they’re still important as they occurred during a crucial time of growth.
Teens who used cannabis had slower brain development, including memory, focus and processing speed. David – stock.adobe.com
“These differences may seem small at first, but they can add up in ways that affect learning, memory and everyday functioning,” lead study author and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine Natasha Wade said in a press release.
“[The result] also highlights how complicated cannabis products can be, especially since some products labeled as CBD may still contain THC,” Wade added.
These findings come after marijuana poisoning cases have skyrocketed 56% among New Yorkers under 19, according to data from the National Poison Data System cited in the impact report.
And from the National Poison Data System findings, more than 95% of poisoning cases in teens were caused by edibles.
The UC San Diego team will continue looking at the effects of weed on teens to understand the long-term effects, including timing and frequency, as the original participants transition into young adulthood.
Researchers suggest that delaying cannabis use could play a role in healthier brain development.
“As cannabis becomes more widely available, it’s important for families and teens to understand how it may affect the developing brain,” Wade said. L|A
Either he was already and idiot or he fried his own brain by using it, but at the end, he had to be let go because he just couldn't stop smoking weed and we all got fed up. Anyone saying that there is nothing wrong with these people has never being around one of them.
I'll say stoners are MUCH more faggy and annoying that alcoholics / day drinkers.
They also smell awful and get fat because all they do is get high and stuff their fat pig faces.
Then they smugly proclaim (with a bovine like slack jawed yet smug countenance) that "hehe weed is good for you and cures Cancer maaan I can stop whenever I want "
I'll say stoners are MUCH more faggy and annoying that alcoholics / day drinkers.
They also smell awful and get fat because all they do is get high and stuff their fat pig faces.
Then they smugly proclaim (with a bovine like slack jawed yet smug countenance) that "hehe weed is good for you and cures Cancer maaan I can stop whenever I want "
Alcoholics are tragic and cool losers because alcohol actually ruins your life and health, they are pathetic and get some sympathy and misplaced affection for it.
Potheads are just losers. The drugs negative effects are pretty mild, they have no excuse for being such complete fags.
The funniest shit was when it turned out long term weed use made anxiety worse. I can't tell you how many millenials/zoomers smoke it for 'muh anxiety'.
