Heartland
Cannabis Use during Adolescent Development: Susceptibility to Psychiatric Illness
Cannabis use is increasingly pervasive among adolescents today, even more common than cigarette smoking. The evolving policy surrounding the legalization of cannabis reaffirms the need to understand the relationship between cannabis exposure early in life and psychiatric illnesses. cannabis contains psychoactive components, notably Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), that interfere with the brain’s endogenous endocannabinoid system, which is critically involved in both pre- and post-natal…

Cannabis use is increasingly pervasive among adolescents today, even more common than cigarette smoking. The evolving policy surrounding the legalization of cannabis reaffirms the need to understand the relationship between cannabis exposure early in life and psychiatric illnesses. cannabis contains psychoactive components, notably Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), that interfere with the brain’s endogenous endocannabinoid system, which is critically involved in both pre- and post-natal neurodevelopment. Consequently, THC and related compounds could potentially usurp normal adolescent neurodevelopment, shifting the brain’s developmental trajectory toward a disease-vulnerable state, predisposing early cannabis users to motivational, affective, and psychotic disorders. Numerous human studies, including prospective longitudinal studies, demonstrate that early cannabis use is associated with major depressive disorder and drug addiction. A strong association between schizophrenia and cannabis use is also apparent, especially when considering genetic factors that interact with this environmental exposure. These human studies set a foundation for carefully controlled animal studies which demonstrate similar patterns following early cannabinoid exposure. Given the vulnerable nature of adolescent neurodevelopment and the persistent changes that follow early cannabis exposure, the experimental findings outlined should be carefully considered by policymakers. In order to fully address the growing issues of psychiatric illnesses and to ensure a healthy future, measures should be taken to reduce cannabis use among teens.
Keywords: adolescent; cannabis; drug addiction; negative affect; schizophrenia.
-
Heartland1 week ago
Florida Bill Aims to Legalize Medical Magic Mushrooms
-
Heartland3 days ago
CBD Vape Oil Market 2021: Global Trends, Business Overview, Challenges, Opportunities …
-
Heartland1 week ago
Delta 8: Shipping Vape Ban Goes Into Effect Soon – What Does It Means?
-
Heartland1 week ago
Explained: How CBD Oil is Different Than CBD Capsule?
-
Heartland1 week ago
Affordable cbd oil?
-
Heartland1 week ago
…
-
Metal1 week ago
Local Turkish DKP grade scrap prices remain stable
-
Material1 week ago
Dielectric properties and potential applications of alizarin yellow GG-Cu(II) complex film blended with polyvinyl alcohol