Cannabis consumption between the ages of 12 and 17 decreases motivation and memory, and increases the risk of having behavioral problems. Teen addiction rates to cannabis are high and similar to those seen with opioids.
- The researchers found no evidence of lasting damage to thinking, memory, or mental health from cannabis use in adolescence.
- The consequences of cannabis on the future of adolescents should rather be sought in terms of its short-term effects: memory loss, reduced motivation and increased behavioral problems.
- One year after trying cannabis for the first time, almost 10.7% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 have become addicted.
At any age, cannabis affects memory. In adolescents, it interferes with school and contributes, with the decline in motivation and the behavioral problems that its consumption induces, to hamper the chances of academic success. In a recent study published on March 29 in the PNASAmerican researchers compared the influence of cannabis use in twins and revealed that the future chances of getting a good job with a high salary are reduced in those who smoke.
No decrease in their cognitive abilities
The researchers found no evidence of lasting damage to thinking, memory, or mental health from cannabis use in adolescence. The consequences of this plant on the future of adolescents should rather be sought in terms of its short-term effects. “These results suggest that when talking about the long-term effects of cannabis use in adolescents, they cannot be limited to short-term drug effectssays Jonathan Schaefer, researcher at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota, and lead author of the scientific article. Cannabis use may cause a temporary decrease in motivation, causing your teen to have lower grades, which ultimately leads to lower educational attainment..”
For this study, scientists analyzed data on 2,410 identical twins collected from three long-term studies conducted by the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research. The twins are interesting because they share the same genetics, family background and environment, the researchers note. “Twins who reported greater cannabis use in adolescence also tended to have worse socioeconomic outcomes, particularly educational attainment, and tended to have shorter years of schoolingnoted Jonathan Schaefer. But they didn’t experience significantly higher rates of diagnosable mental health issues, and we saw no evidence of lower cognitive abilities..”
The effects on the brain stop when the consumption stops
Cannabis use affects regions of the brain associated with learning, memory and attention. “This study and previous research suggest that while these effects may not last once cannabis use is stopped, the short-term impact of cannabis on brain functions critical to academic success may have long-term effects.adds Linda Richter, vice president of prevention research and analysis at the center Partnership to End Addictioncited by the study. If a child is struggling academically due to cannabis use in middle school or high school, it can limit the quality and quantity of choices, and their academic and work experiences. Therefore, it will decrease his success in adulthood.”
The earlier you smoke, the greater the risk of addiction.
In another study, published in JAMA Pediatrics on March 29, other American researchers observed that the rate of addiction to cannabis is very high, to the point of approaching that of opioids. One year after trying cannabis for the first time, almost 10.7% of teenagers aged 12 to 17 have become addicted. Those in the same age group who have tried opioids have an addiction rate of 11.2%. “Findings Contradict Widespread Perceptions That Cannabis Isn’t Particularly Addictive”, analyzes Nora Volkow, author of the study and current director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The earlier young people have their first experience with cannabis, the higher the risk of addiction. “For people aged 18-25, only 6.4% became addicted one year after trying cannabis for the first timenote the researchers. In the 18-25 age category, opioid addiction rates were similar to marijuana addiction rates after one year. Cocaine addiction rates were slightly lower.”
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