In a rapidly changing landscape of cannabis products, a recent study highlights the alarming susceptibility of the adolescent brain to the harms of THC.
The research, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that adolescents who use cannabis are twice as likely to develop depression or have suicidal ideation as those who don’t use the drug.
Scientists warn that THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, can interfere with the formation of crucial brain connections, leading to lasting issues with memory and learning.
Furthermore, cannabis use, even for recreational purposes, poses a significant risk to the mental health of teens. Those using cannabis recreationally are twice as likely to develop depression or suicidal thoughts, while those with cannabis use disorder face even higher risks.
Neuroscientist Yasmin Hurd emphasizes the need to reconsider how we label these highly potent cannabis products, stating that they are essentially “new drugs.”
The adolescent brain, still developing into early adulthood, faces risks as THC interferes with the crucial process of forming, reinforcing, and pruning connections within the brain.
