Marijuana use during teen years can affect brain function, Pitt study shows
Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewJul 25, 2017
The findings come from a study of 158 boys, tracing their marijuana use from ages 14 to 19. Researchers focused on their pattern of use, determining those who occasionally smoked pot at age 15 or 16 and increased usage to daily by age 19 experienced the highest rates of depression, lowest educational success and brain dysfunction.
Researchers used MRI technology to analyze the boys' brains at age 20 and they filled out questionnaires at ages 20 and 22.
"While cannabis use has gone up, the belief that it is harmful has gone down," said the study's lead author,
The study was published Tuesday in the medical journal Addiction.
Participants come from the
The project's goal was to identify factors associated with vulnerability and resiliency among low-income boys in the
In the current marijuana study, participants self-reported use of the drug and participated in detailed interviews with researchers.
"Though the results do not show a direct causal link, it's important to note that even though most people think marijuana isn't harmful, it may have severe consequences for some people's functioning, education and mood," Forbes said. "While that may seem unimportant at age 20, the level of education you receive will likely have a huge effect on your quality of life and socioeconomic status later in adulthood."
A federally funded study last year found that while overall drug use among teens is declining, marijuana use among high school seniors remains steady.
Marijuana advocate
"I certainly understand the potential that cannabis use and especially heavy cannabis abuse at a young age could have detrimental effects," he said.
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