Cannabis is one of the most commonly abused substances among today’s teens, with 30% of surveyed high school seniors saying they’ve used cannabis in the past year. The legalization of marijuana, and its subsequent industrialization, across the country has made it more widely available—today, nearly all 50 states have some level of decriminalization or legalized use.
Effects of Marijuana Use on Teen Brain Development
The teen brain is still actively developing—a process that doesn’t conclude until the mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for reasoning and decision-making, is the last part of the brain to fully mature. This means teens tend to have less impulse control and rely more on emotional decision-making.
What does marijuana do to the teen brain? While there may be some reported medical benefits for adult populations, in teenagers, it hurts their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Studies have reported that marijuana use may negatively impact brain development, including:
- Brain structure volume
- Quality of white matter
- Ability to perform cognitive functions
Since teen brains are vulnerable, marijuana use during this period can have a particularly detrimental impact, affecting a teen’s ability to progress and grow on many fronts, including:
- Emotional development
- Academic pursuits
- Social interactions
You may notice decreasing academic grades, a lack of social motivation, and more frequent emotional outbursts in teens who use marijuana. These factors also put teens at risk for poor mental health outcomes.
Mental Health Outcomes from Marijuana Use
Teen mental health can be significantly impacted by frequent use of marijuana. Teens who use the drug are more at risk for:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Suicidal thoughts and attempts
- Eating disorders
- Psychosis, including later schizophrenia diagnoses
Why is mental and emotional development so hindered by marijuana use? In teens, the area of the brain responsible for emotion and memory is very well developed, but as mentioned earlier, the area of the brain dedicated to judgment still needs time to mature. Marijuana use stops this growth, and those emotional highs and lows of the teen years can become overwhelming, resulting in mental health issues.
Marijuana and the Risk of Teen Psychosis
The onset of temporary or sustained psychosis is one of the most worrisome side effects of marijuana use. More teens who use marijuana are suffering from psychosis than their peers who do not use it. “We found a very strong association between cannabis use and risk of psychotic disorder in adolescence,” shares the author of one study on the phenomenon.
The link between marijuana use and mental health problems isn’t always straightforward. In the case of marijuana and psychosis in teens, substance use may be a symptom of mental illness or exacerbate the mental issues that are already present. In either case, comprehensive mental health treatment is an important step toward sobriety for teens. Treating drug use alone does not give the teen proper emotional regulation tools or treatment techniques for a complicated diagnosis like a psychotic disorder.
Addressing Marijuana Use in Teens
Because marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs among teens, marijuana use is one of the most common reasons teens enter residential centers for substance use treatment. Early intervention can improve long-term outcomes, especially when mental health issues are addressed alongside substance use treatment.
If you are concerned about your teen’s mental health or their potential marijuana use, our blog has more information to help parents navigate concerns and treatment options. You can also learn more about marijuana use from our drug-related resources.
