Marijuana Impact on Young Brain

The brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for important functions such as impulse control, attention, focusing, organization and personality, is the last area of the brain to fully develop. Marijuana inhibits those functions, resulting in higher consequences within brains that aren’t fully developed, along with the possibility of permanent damage (abnormal changes ) in the brain of frequent marijuana users.

Marijuana activates the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which causes the pleasurable feelings or “high” and stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain’s reward centers, reinforcing the behavior. Marijuana use also causes negative effects on your brain and body — changes in perceptions and mood, lack of coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.

Several studies have linked marijuana use to increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, but whether and to what extent it actually causes these conditions is not always easy to determine.

The amount of drug used, the age at first use, and genetic vulnerability have all been shown to influence the relationship between marijuana use and mental health problems. The strongest evidence to date concerns links between marijuana use and substance use disorders and between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders in those with a preexisting genetic or other vulnerability.

Marijuana use has been linked to a range of mental health problems in teens such as depression or anxiety. Psychosis has also been seen in teens at higher risk like those with a family history.