Marijuana (cannabis) is often considered a “light” and “safe” drug and not dangerous. But a study on adolescent brain shows that in reality, this drug predisposes to the development of various addictive behaviors and has many negative consequences in the long term.
Many adolescents perceive marijuana as harmless and, therefore, this is the most consumed illicit drug among this age group, explained the researchers from the University of Montreal, Canada, and from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School in the U.S.
Based on this perception, many states have legalized the drug and allowed easier access to it.
But many of the debates and decisions regarding marijuana were made without taking into account its impact on one of the most vulnerable population – teenagers – and without taking into account the scientific data, say the study authors, Professor Didier Jutras-Aswad and Yasmin Hurd.
The researchers reviewed 120 studies on various aspects of the relationship between marijuana and adolescent brain, including brain biology, chemical reactions that occur in the brain when the drug is consumed, the influence of genetic and environmental factors, and studies related to the so-called “gateway drug” phenomenon (mild drugs are considered a “gateway” to the development of addictive behaviors and to more powerful and harmful drugs).
As specialists showed, the extensive data analyzed emphasized the association between marijuana use and subsequent emergence of powerful addiction and psychosis (eg schizophrenia). The risk of developing these problems after exposure to marijuana is not the same for all users, but is linked to genetic factors, the intensity of use and the age at which it occurs. If the consumption starts at a younger age, the risks are more serious in terms of mental health, performance during education and the ability to cope with life as adults.
Lab studies in animals have enabled researchers to directly observe the chemical reactions that occur in the brain when exposed to marijuana, reactions similar to those that occur in the human brain.
Marijuana acts on the brain by means of specific chemical receptors such as the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. They are located in areas of the brain associated with learning, reward, behavior motivation, decision making, training habits and motor function.
As a teenager brain structure changes rapidly (before becoming more stable in adulthood) scientists believe that the use of marijuana at this stage in life influence very strongly how these aspects of the user’s personality develop in time.
Not all adolescent marijuana users, but only about 25 percent of them develop a form of abuse or drug addiction. This suggests that there are specific genetic and behavioral factors that influence the likelihood for the young people to continue using the drug.
Studies have shown that marijuana dependence may be inherited, through the genes that are encoding the formation of cannabinoid receptors and the synthesis of an enzyme involved in the processing of THC (the active ingredient, psychogenic from marijuana) in the body.
There are also other psychological factors involved; individuals who develop dependence on marijuana show in general a nature characterized by the predominance of negative emotions, aggression and impulsivity, starting at a young age. Some of these traits are exacerbated during the years of marijuana use, suggesting that users are caught in a vicious circle of “self-treatment,” which cause addiction, explained the researchers.
The researchers have emphasized the idea that although there is still much to be learned about the phenomenon of marijuana abuse, scientific data have clearly important implications for society.
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