What Does Pot Do To The Teenage Brain
Marijuana and the brain.
What does pot do to the teenage brain. The teenage brain is not yet fully mature with neurodevelopment continuing until at least the early or mid 20s. Experts have been concerned that teenage brains are still developing and heavy pot use could alter their neurology in key ways that will affect their future ability to think and reason. In addition the brains of teenagers who are heavy pot users have lower blood flow develop abnormal neuron connections and show inefficient brain activation patterns. During adolescence the brain is particularly sensitive to drug exposure and marijuana use impacts how connections are formed within the brain.
Some studies suggest regular marijuana use in adolescence is associated with altered connectivity and reduced volume of specific brain regions involved in a broad range of executive functions such as memory learning and impulse control compared to people who do not use. Why the teenage brain is so vulnerable first a quick synopsis of how marijuana operates. 38 39 other studies have not found significant structural differences between the brains of people who do and do not use. The body s endocannabinoid system regulates intercellular communication via cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system and brain.
Some people who smoke pot do show changes in brain development. Posted by karen young. By alice park april 18 2018 11 00 am edt a s access to legal marijuana. To see a visual diagram of the brain highlighting the parts this drug affects.
Exposure to drugs during this time has a greater impact on the brain than it does during adulthood. This is what pot does to the teenage brain this is what pot does to the teenage brain a participant smokes a marijuana joint while marching in the annual hemp parade hanfparade on august 9 2014. How smoking pot may hurt the teenage brain how smoking pot may hurt the teenage brain. Psychologists have noted the effects to include cognitive decline poor attention and memory and diminished iq.
Baycrest in toronto and his colleagues used mri to study the brains of more than 1 500 teenage boys. Regular marijuana use affects parts of the human brain such as those that govern attention coordination decision making emotions learning memory and reaction time. 3 other effects on the developing brain include interference with neurotransmitters and abnormal brain shape and structure volume.