Growing up high: Neurobiological consequences of adolescent cannabis use

science daily ^ | May 26, 2019 | Canadian Association for Neuroscience

[Mount Athos]

About one in five Canadian adolescents uses cannabis and its recent legalization across the country warrants investigation into the consequence of this use on the developing brain.

Cannabis use was linked to impairments in working memory and inhibitory control, which is required for self-control. Cannabis use was also linked to deficits in memory recall and perceptual reasoning. Alcohol use was not linked to impairments in these cognitive functions, suggesting cannabis could have more long-term effects than alcohol.

Adolescent exposure to THC induces changes in specific a region of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and in a brain circuit, the mesolimbic pathway, that closely resemble the abnormalities observed in schizophrenia. Furthermore, adolescent THC exposure also caused affective and cognitive abnormalities including deficits in social interactions, memory processing and anxiety regulation.

[Ken H]

“Isn’t it interesting that the Government now is trying to sell this to the citizenry, one would think they do not have our best interests at heart.”

______

Except the government is not trying to sell this to the citizenry. It’s the other way around.

Politicians are way out of step with the people on this issue. They like the power and federal dollars that come from mj prohibition.

[TaxPayer2000]

So your defense of adolescent marijuana use is to point out the bad effects of alcohol?

Alcohol bad, therefore, adolescent pot use good?

[Flaming Conservative]

psyillium? That’s Metamucil. I’ve never used any drugs, but I’ve heard of mushrooms. Is that what you’re referring to?

[gunsequalfreedom]

I know lots of very successful people with “detriental neuropsychiatric” whatever you called it. All I can say is give me some of what they were smoking as kids...morning, noon and night.

In other words, if what you are saying were true, it would contradict lots and lots of real world clinical trials.

There is no downside to adolescents for marijuana use. Too much proof out there to the contrary.

By the way, I don’t smoke it.

[gunsequalfreedom]

It’s okay to drink, kids!

I hope you are kidding. Nothing more dangerous for youth than drinking.

[chris37]

ER doctor and uses responsibly. I wouldn’t object to his treating me.

[chris37]

I would never support anyone or promote to anyone under the age of 21 smoking, and I would never smoke in front of them or be in their presence after having smoked. It’s not for young people.

[Falconspeed]

I respect the honest comments here. Yes, THC corrupts “the prefrontal cortex” and damages a person’s brain. Yes, a person’s brain heals and generates new networks every day. Use it or lose it.

My senior citizen family member had 4.0 at top schools and presently has dementia. He cannot tie his shoes but he is fluent in French. Mysterious how the brain adapts.

MJ is for losers who cannot face trauma. Face it. Trauma sucks, everyone has it and healing is natural. MJ, drinks and promiscuity are not necessary.

[chris37]

It could be all of them.

Some of them may even drink from time to time.

[Loud Mime]

My brother is a long-time stoner who, at 60, acts like a 15 year-old. He will finally leave home because Mom died three months ago. He has to.

Yeah, pot is great!

[politicianslie]

Non-medical conclusion: it changes your brain chemistry permanently.

Medical conclusion: It changes your brain chemistry permanently

A list of medical papers in this monthly review by Dr. Blaylock says that those who use it under 17 (and some effects up to 27) are "screwing" with brain development which leads to schizophrenia and psychosis.

Studies show that even if use is stopped, that damage is done and the risks of mental problems significantly increase. One study said that if ALL pot use was stopped, that the number of schizophrenics would decrease by 13% (it actually says that 13% of schizo is caused by juvenile pot use, I reworded it).

Numbers from studies like this are just guidelines but credible research that shows 13 out of 100 schizophrenics is caused by juvenile pot use should alarm anybody who lights up.

The review does acknowledge that there are medical benefits BUT that recreational, irresponsible use is dangerous.

[Nifster]

Yes. And what’s your point

[jmacusa]

Sorry but alcohol is far more debilitating. Alcohol has NO medicinal benefits. None. Marijuana does. And I'm 29 years sober. If I'd have kept drinking I'd be dead or would have killed someone in a drunken car accident. Tell me, how many people have ever fatally over dosed from marijuana or even over dosed at all.

[jmacusa]

Sounds to me it isn’t marijuana is your brothers problem and more just an irresponsible adult child who refused to grow up.

[northislander]

Weed makes you retarded and gay...

[jmacusa]

No. I didn’t say marijuana wasn’t without harmful effects. Tobacco is by far at least one hundred times more harmful then marijuana and that’s legal. What seems most harmful about marijuana is getting caught with it and the fact that it is illegal means kids can get it because drug dealers don’t ask for ID. Alcohol is far more harmful in what it does to the human body. I should know, it damn neared killed me. For the last 29 years I’ve lived a sober life. Tell me, what addiction did you ever overcome?

[outofsalt]

bookmarking for later

[equaviator]

“people that I’ve worked with that were brilliant at work as programmers and engineers...”

Same here. Friends who were in college and one in particular who seemed to master the effects of cannabis and make it work for him. He would stop in on his way to an important exam at a major 4-year school in the area and smoke down on some really potent “red bud” and then leave after winning a few games of ping pong down in the basement. He never failed and went on to lead a group of computer software engineers (IT) at Chrysler Corporation and then with a series of top automotive suppliers. I’d hate to think that an employer(s) could have fired him if he ever refused or failed a drug test for cannabis (THC).

[varyouga]

“What gets me is the fact that I could never solve the simplest calculation after the smallest consumption but there are a few people that I’ve worked with that were brilliant at work as programmers and engineers and smoked amounts that would have made completely useless.”

The most brilliant people in school and that I worked with ALL consumed more cannabis than I ever imagined could be done. It allows people with overactive minds to rest/sleep and save brain power. It also allows them to look at problems in different ways when they hit a block.

Of course the biggest idiots also smoked the same but they are much more open about it and don’t hide the smell. If you yourself are not openly accepting of cannabis, these will appear to you the only people that use it.

There are studies that show schizophrenics are 300-500% more likely to smoke cigarettes. A far greater correlation than pot yet nobody is claiming tobacco CAUSED it. It is obvious the mentally ill and those with “different” brilliant minds are simply more likely to use drugs of all sorts

[deks]

>>The more cannabis you smoke, the more likely you are to be a loser, finds international study<<

= Persistent users likely to be lower paid and have relationship difficulties

= Research found abusers ended up in a lower social class than their parents

= Also more prone to be in less skilled, prestigious jobs and to run into debt

= Study [at University of California, and Duke University] followed children from birth up to age of 38

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3520257/The-cannabis-smoke-likely-loser-finds-international-study.html