• Question: How does marijuana affect the teenage brain?

    Asked by anon-179991 to Sam on 15 Jun 2018.
    • Photo: Sam Burton

      Sam Burton answered on 15 Jun 2018:


      There’s a recent paper by Volkow et al. (2014) that suggests there’s multiple implications as a result of marijuana use; impair short term memory, poor motor skills and altered judgement, in the short term. In the long term it can alter brain development, effect IQ, increase risk of psychosis.

      Marijuana is made up of two components, THC and CBD. THC is the part that gives people the stereotypical high, but is also the component that increases risk of psychosis and other conditions. While CBD has been suggested to have multiple health benefits for cancer and epilepsy just to name a few.

      In short it really does depend on the levels of each chemical in the marijuana and how it can effect teenage brains. It’s such a hotly debated topic now and medicalised/controlled legalisation seems to be on the rise. If you want to read some more on this you’ll be able to find plenty online, but theres a podcast by Suzi Gage and if you read about Portugal who have already legalised marijuana. Hope that answers your question.

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