Research published last year reminds us that heavy marijuana use is associated with reduced activity in regions of the brain that are critical for young adults.
Authors at Neuroscience News recently reexamined the study first published in JAMA Network Open. They noted that “63% of heavy lifetime users and 68% of recent users showed diminished neural response during working memory tasks.”
Using a functional MRI, researchers found heavy marijuana users suffered reduced activity in areas of the brain that governed decision making, attention, and emotional processing.
It’s important to remember that modern strains of marijuana are much more powerful than in past. Today’s marijuana can contain 15% to 30% THC, compared to just 3% THC in marijuana from the 1960s. That’s troubling, because because high levels of THC in marijuana has been shown to trigger serious mental health problems.
Scientific research continues to find that marijuana use is harmful — especially for children, teens, and young adults.
A recent study from Columbia University found even “casual” marijuana use is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and impulsive behavior in teenagers.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found teen psychiatric emergencies spiked after marijuana commercialization began in the state.
And instead of decreasing crime, marijuana’s legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across America.
All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
