Cannabis effects on the teenage brain

The effects of cannabis on the teenage brain are significant due to the changes in the endocannabinoid system throughout our lifespan. During adolescence, natural endocannabinoids peak as the brain undergoes rapid changes, and many teenagers experiment with cannabis.

When THC is consumed, it activates cannabinoid receptors indiscriminately, unlike the body's natural endocannabinoids. A study with over 1,000 teenage brain scans revealed differences in brain structures between cannabis users and non-users.

The teenage brain rapidly evolves from childhood to adulthood, with two key tissues changing: gray matter, which makes up the cerebral cortex and contains cell bodies, and white matter, which aids communication between gray matter regions. In teens, white matter increases while gray matter decreases as weaker neural connections are pruned. Research indicates that cannabis users exhibit a thicker cerebral cortex, signifying a disruption in the pruning process.

Additionally, regular cannabis use negatively impacts cognitive skills, particularly learning and memory tasks. After refraining from cannabis, cognitive performance shows improvement, and changes in brain structure may also relate to other factors such as alcohol use, genetics, and environmental influences, suggesting that preexisting conditions may contribute to differences observed in cannabis users.