Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Smoking Cannabis Can Lead To Mental Illnesses In Teenagers, Study Finds

Adolescents who use <span>cannabis</span> could face a significantly higher risk of developing psychotic (doubled), bipolar (doubled), depressive and <span>anxiety</span> disorders, a study shows. 

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente, the Public Health Institute's Getting it Right from the Start, the University of California, San Francisco and the <span>University of Southern California</span>, who studied 463,396 adolescents ages 13 to 17 through age 26, found that children between these ages were extremely prone to developing mental illnesses. 

<span>Lynn Silver</span>, MD, program director of the Getting it Right from the Start, a program of the Public Health Institute, and study co-author noted: "As cannabis becomes more potent and aggressively marketed, this study indicates that adolescent cannabis use is associated with double the risk of incident psychotic and bipolar disorders, two of the most serious mental health conditions. 

"The evidence increasingly points to the need for an urgent public health response - one that reduces product potency, prioritizes prevention, limits youth exposure and marketing and treats adolescent cannabis use as a serious health issue, not a benign behavior."

"Even after accounting for prior mental health conditions and other substance use, adolescents who reported cannabis use had a substantially higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders - particularly psychotic and bipolar disorders. 

"This study adds to the growing body of evidence that cannabis use during adolescence could have potentially detrimental, long-term health effects. It's imperative that parents and their children have accurate, trusted, and evidence-based information about the risks of adolescent cannabis use," Kelly Young-Wolff, Ph.D., lead author of the study and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, added. 

The observational US-focused study also found that cannabis use was more common among adolescents enrolled in Medicaid and those living in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods. 

<h2>How Does Cannabis Usage In Teens Affect Overall Health?</h2>Frequent, heavy cannabis use during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes in brain function, impairing memory, learning, and attention. It can also cause reduced IQ and difficulty with problem-solving.

Strong links have also been found between adolescent cannabis use and mental health issues, including increased risk of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/depression">depression</a></span>, anxiety, and, in some cases, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. 

Additionally, smoking cannabis can lead to breathing problems similar to tobacco, such as chronic bronchitis. It can also cause an increased heart rate, and some studies suggest a higher risk of heart attacks.

Early initiation, especially before age 16, increases the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder (addiction). High-potency products can lead to rapid onset of withdrawal symptoms, mood changes, and even physical complications like Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (severe nausea/vomiting)

<h2>Why Should Early Cannabis Usage Be Discouraged?</h2>The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained that the brain of a teenager is still growing and developing a lot, and this process continues until they are about 25 years old. Using cannabis (<span>marijuana</span>) during the teen years and young adulthood can potentially harm this development.

Compared to teens who don't use cannabis, those who do are more likely to drop out of high school or not finish a college degree. Using cannabis can cause several immediate and long-term problems for teens: 

<ul><li>Difficulty Thinking</li><li>Memory Issues</li><li>Poor Coordination</li><li>Attention Problems</li><li>School and Social Troubles</li><li>Cannabis use can also lead to more serious issues that affect a teen's overall life.</li><li>Increased Mental Health Risks</li></ul>Cannabis is linked to depression and anxiety, and it raises the risk of temporary psychosis (paranoia or hallucinations). Starting young and using often increases the likelihood of long-term illnesses like schizophrenia.

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and unsafe, as it severely slows reaction time. Cannabis reduces coordination and concentration, impacting all the skills necessary for responsible and safe driving.

Around 30 percent of cannabis users are also known to develop an addiction (cannabis use disorder). Failing to quit or choosing the drug over family activities are signs. This risk is higher for frequent teen users.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Cannabis

marijuana

lynn silver

university of southern california

anxiety

Bipolar Disorder

depression

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Adolescents who use cannabis could face a significantly higher risk of developing psychotic (doubled), bipolar (doubled), depressive and anxiety disorders, a study shows. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente, the Public Health Institute's Getting it Right from the Start, the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Southern California, who studied 463,396 adolescents ages 13 to 17 through age 26, found that children between these ages were extremely prone to developing mental illnesses. Lynn Silver, MD, program director of the Getting it Right from the Start, a program of the Public Health Institute, and study co-author noted: "As cannabis becomes more potent and aggressively marketed, this study indicates that adolescent cannabis use is associated with double the risk of incident psychotic and bipolar disorders, two of the most serious mental health conditions. "The evidence increasingly points to the need for an urgent public health response - one that reduces product potency, prioritizes prevention, limits youth exposure and marketing and treats adolescent cannabis use as a serious health issue, not a benign behavior.""Even after accounting for prior mental health conditions and other substance use, adolescents who reported cannabis use had a substantially higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders - particularly psychotic and bipolar disorders. "This study adds to the growing body of evidence that cannabis use during adolescence could have potentially detrimental, long-term health effects. It's imperative that parents and their children have accurate, trusted, and evidence-based information about the risks of adolescent cannabis use," Kelly Young-Wolff, Ph.D., lead author of the study and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, added. The observational US-focused study also found that cannabis use was more common among adolescents enrolled in Medicaid and those living in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods. How Does Cannabis Usage In Teens Affect Overall Health?Frequent, heavy cannabis use during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes in brain function, impairing memory, learning, and attention. It can also cause reduced IQ and difficulty with problem-solving.Strong links have also been found between adolescent cannabis use and mental health issues, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Additionally, smoking cannabis can lead to breathing problems similar to tobacco, such as chronic bronchitis. It can also cause an increased heart rate, and some studies suggest a higher risk of heart attacks.Early initiation, especially before age 16, increases the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder (addiction). High-potency products can lead to rapid onset of withdrawal symptoms, mood changes, and even physical complications like Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (severe nausea/vomiting)Why Should Early Cannabis Usage Be Discouraged?The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained that the brain of a teenager is still growing and developing a lot, and this process continues until they are about 25 years old. Using cannabis (marijuana) during the teen years and young adulthood can potentially harm this development.Compared to teens who don't use cannabis, those who do are more likely to drop out of high school or not finish a college degree. Using cannabis can cause several immediate and long-term problems for teens: Difficulty ThinkingMemory IssuesPoor CoordinationAttention ProblemsSchool and Social TroublesCannabis use can also lead to more serious issues that affect a teen's overall life.Increased Mental Health RisksCannabis is linked to depression and anxiety, and it raises the risk of temporary psychosis (paranoia or hallucinations). Starting young and using often increases the likelihood of long-term illnesses like schizophrenia.Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and unsafe, as it severely slows reaction time. Cannabis reduces coordination and concentration, impacting all the skills necessary for responsible and safe driving.Around 30 percent of cannabis users are also known to develop an addiction (cannabis use disorder). Failing to quit or choosing the drug over family activities are signs. This risk is higher for frequent teen users.