The use of cannabis among adolescents is common, and its popularity has increased significantly over the last few decades, most notably in adolescents and young adults, with 18.4% of adolescents in the US reporting the use of cannabis during the past 30 days. As more states have legalized the medical and/or recreational use of marijuana, we have seen an even more dramatic increase in the use of cannabis among adolescents, coupled with a steady increase in the availability of cannabis-containing products and an overall increase in the potency of these products.
Because adolescence is a critical time for brain maturation, we are especially concerned about the impact of cannabis use on the developing brain. In terms of neurodevelopment, late adolescence and early adulthood is a particularly vulnerable time, as the brain is undergoing extensive changes, including the development of higher cognitive functioning and increases in connectivity between various regions of the brain.
According to a study from Randi Schuster, PhD and colleagues at the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH , it was observed that the younger cannabis users — 16 and under — had difficulty learning new information, a problem that was not observed in users aged 17 and older. A new NIH-funded study from the same research team will further explore how use of marijuana affects cognition and will focus on how cognition may change when these younger individuals stop using marijuana. It is essential that we better understand the relationship between cannabis, cognitive and emotional functioning among adolescents who are uniquely vulnerable to its effects.
More information on this study can be found HERE.
Read More:
Schuster RM, Gilman J, Schoenfeld D, Evenden J, Hareli M, Ulysse C, Nip E, Hanly A, Zhang H, Evins AE. One Month of Cannabis Abstinence in Adolescents and Young Adults Is Associated With Improved Memory. J Clin Psychiatry. 2018 Oct 30;79(6): 17m11977. Free article.
Schuster RM, Hoeppner SS, Evins AE, Gilman JM. Early onset marijuana use is associated with learning inefficiencies. Neuropsychology. 2016 May;30(4):405-15. Free article.
Randi Melissa Schuster, PhD is a neuropsychologist and Director of Neuropsychology in the Center for Addiction Medicine. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on the cognitive ramifications of early drug exposure. She is currently funded by a five-year NIH NIDA career development award, mentored by Dr. Eden Evins in the Center for Addiction Medicine and Dr. Jordan Smoller in the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit.
