Cannabis and the Adolescent Brain
What is the endocannabinoid system?
The system in the body that acts like traffic police and controls neurotransmitter levels and is especially sensitive during adolescence.
What is a potential long-term risk associated with early and frequent cannabis use in adolescents?
Psychosis symptoms, depression and anxiety
What behavior is often stereotypically associated with regular cannabis users in terms of social interactions and also supported by research?
Apathy
What is the year the Cannabis Act was passed in Canada?
2018
At what age is the brain particularly vulnerable to the effects of cannabis due to ongoing development?
Adolescence
What % of youth seeking clinical services started cannabis before the age of 14? (Hawke et al., 2020)
30%
What percent less likely are adolescents who heavily use cannabis to pursue higher education
28% less
Which two groups had the highest cannabis use rates in Canada?
Ages 20 to 25 years old followed by 16 to 19 years old.
Which brain region is associated with negative emotion and rejection, but shows reduced activation in cannabis users during social exclusion?
Anterior insula
How much more likely are teens using cannabis more likely to develop a psychotic disorder compared to non-users? (McDonald et al., 2024)
11 times more likely
What is the harm in using cannabis during young adolescence in terms of academics?
Decrease in academic achievement, increased school dropout rates, and lower university enrolment
When does the brain typically stop developing?
Age 25
What are the medial temporal cortex, temporal pole, parahippocampal gyrus, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex?
Regions in the brain showing significant gray matter volume reductions due to adolescent cannabis use
What is the cycle where cannabis use can exacerbate depressive symptoms, and depression can increase the likelihood of cannabis use?
Feedback loop
What happens when cannabis users show heightened reward sensitivity and diminished responses to loss?
Impulsive decision making
What happens if one were to drive while high on cannabis?
Same penalties as drunk driving.