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Exploring the impact of Cannabis on Mental Health of Teens

Cannabis is illicit and most widely used drug in the United States and its consumption has been increasing in the general population especially in teens. Many teenagers try and use it regularly until it becomes an addiction. Its use is at the highest level in thirty years and its use in higher than that of tobacco. Among people aged 18 and older report lifetime use of marijuana and studies indicate that even some of them consume it before the age of 12. Marijuana has the characteristics which make people high, and its use is increasing, its impacts are being witnessed on the physical and mental health of its users. This paper will review some of the studies indicating to explore if cannabis increases the risk of mental health issues among teens and youngsters. Since its use is increasing, people consuming it must be advised on its use based on some research studies and literature.

A study ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"XGMDjgyG","properties":{"formattedCitation":"{\\rtf (\\uc0\\u8220{}Marijuana Use Worsens Teen Depression\\uc0\\u8221{})}","plainCitation":"(“Marijuana Use Worsens Teen Depression”)"},"citationItems":[{"id":1592,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/3BHPADFP"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/3BHPADFP"],"itemData":{"id":1592,"type":"chapter","title":"Marijuana Use Worsens Teen Depression","container-title":"Teen Marijuana Use Worsens Depression: An Analysis of Recent Data Shows \"Self-Medicating\" Could Actually Make Things Worse","publisher":"Office of National Drug Control Policy","source":"Gale","archive":"Opposing Viewpoints in Context","URL":"http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010436252/OVIC?u=atla29738&sid=OVIC&xid=78b5ad91","language":"English","issued":{"date-parts":[["2008"]]},"accessed":{"date-parts":[["2019",4,15]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (“Marijuana Use") shows a direct link to marijuana with depression. The study indicates that “Teens who use marijuana can end up making tough times worse”. This article suggests that there is a strong link between marijuana use and psychosis and mentions some of the psychosis such as schizophrenia, and even suicide attempts. Articles make use of many research studies to indicate that use of marijuana results in developing mental disorders in later stages in life. Numerous evidence suggests that use of marijuana or cannabis is linked with a number of psychiatric conditions, one of these conditions is cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP). This type of psychosis is usually different from the others and marijuana use is directly linked with its increase. States in which marijuana is illegal also indicates its rise which can be alarming for the mental health of its youth.

Another study based on the sample of school teens aged 14 to 15 indicates that daily use of marijuana is linked with depression and anxiety ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"THiCjl3x","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Patton et al.)","plainCitation":"(Patton et al.)"},"citationItems":[{"id":1594,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/TJN7TYMF"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/TJN7TYMF"],"itemData":{"id":1594,"type":"article-journal","title":"Cannabis use and mental health in young people: cohort study","container-title":"Bmj","page":"1195-1198","volume":"325","issue":"7374","author":[{"family":"Patton","given":"George C."},{"family":"Coffey","given":"Carolyn"},{"family":"Carlin","given":"John B."},{"family":"Degenhardt","given":"Louisa"},{"family":"Lynskey","given":"Michael"},{"family":"Hall","given":"Wayne"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2002"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Patton et al.). The study was based on evaluating the impacts of cannabis use on depression and anxiety ad it revealed that the users of cannabis report high rates of these issues. The quantity of cannabis use is linked with higher risks and also recommends to reduce the use of cannabis among young adults using some serious strategies. Many teenagers and school and college going children might think that it is not harmless because it is organic but the impacts of the use of marijuana occur in later stages. Anxiety and depression also result in poor school performance, such as issues with memory and concentration. Depression also results in poor grades, mood swings, suicidal thoughts and it worsens mental health condition.

A study conducted to know the impact of cannabis use on learning and memory indicate that long-term cannabis use results in memory impairment ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"5IYo2hi8","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Solowij et al.)","plainCitation":"(Solowij et al.)"},"citationItems":[{"id":1595,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/YDZAPJKP"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/YDZAPJKP"],"itemData":{"id":1595,"type":"article-journal","title":"Verbal learning and memory in adolescent cannabis users, alcohol users and non-users","container-title":"Psychopharmacology","page":"131-144","volume":"216","issue":"1","author":[{"family":"Solowij","given":"Nadia"},{"family":"Jones","given":"Katy A."},{"family":"Rozman","given":"Megan E."},{"family":"Davis","given":"Sasha M."},{"family":"Ciarrochi","given":"Joseph"},{"family":"Heaven","given":"Patrick CL"},{"family":"Lubman","given":"Dan I."},{"family":"Yücel","given":"Murat"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2011"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Solowij et al.). The study revealed that the cannabis users are more vulnerable to the risk of memory impairment, “Adolescent cannabis users have impaired verbal learning and memory, which appears to be specific to cannabis and not alcohol exposure”. The early exposure to cannabis worsens the situation. The increase in the use of cannabis in the age of 15 coincides with the neurodevelopmental phase in the brain and therefore impacts memory and learning. This is why school going teens face issues in their studies, concentration issues, issues with time management and are more aggressive. School difficulties are the short-term of cannabis use and the long term impacts are in the form of lower intelligence level, breathing problems, smoking addiction, and numerous mental health issues.

However, some studies also indicate the medical benefits of cannabis in reducing depression and anxiety for the patients of AIDS. In this way, its use can be advantageous in exceptional cases. It is observed that it is very beneficial for the patients suffering from pain and it also helps the patients suffering from AIDS by increasing their appetite and it also doesn’t increase any other illness in them ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"QKtVPiXW","properties":{"formattedCitation":"{\\rtf (Mack and Joy, {\\i{}MARIJUANA AND AIDS})}","plainCitation":"(Mack and Joy, MARIJUANA AND AIDS)"},"citationItems":[{"id":1598,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/SK6KGCJE"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/FGhKhGPG/items/SK6KGCJE"],"itemData":{"id":1598,"type":"book","title":"MARIJUANA AND AIDS","publisher":"National Academies Press (US)","source":"www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov","abstract":"Although no comprehensive surveys have been conducted on medical marijuana users in the United States, small-scale polls indicate that most are seeking relief from symptoms of AIDS. For example, each of the three California cannabis buyers' clubs—organizations that provide marijuana to patients—visited by the IOM team reported that more than 60 percent of their members requested the drug for AIDS treatment.","URL":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224400/","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Mack","given":"Alison"},{"family":"Joy","given":"Janet"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2000"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Mack and Joy, MARIJUANA AND AIDS). Patients suffering from AIDS also suffer from loss of appetite and in this case use of cannabis can be helpful for them. It is also helpful in another chronic disease such as irritable bowel syndrome and cannabis benefits can be obtained from cannabis to treat these diseases. A number of studies unveil the fact that medical marijuana is a good pain reliever and its efficiency should be appraised in this regard.

To sum up, marijuana or cannabis use in teens can have many adverse long-term consequences. Teens are unaware of the consequences of marijuana use, their brains are weak and are more vulnerable to risks and dangers of their consumptions. They believe that medical purpose of marijuana means that it is not harmful. It is very important to talk about the risks of cannabis use especially in teenage. Parents and teachers must indulge in discussion of the dangers of cannabis use and symptoms must be observed in school children. Talking to them can reduce the chances of its use in the first place can protect the child from its dangers. Observing the symptoms of cannabis use in children can result in providing them timely interventions before they become addicted to that and their brains are fully damaged due to the negative effects of cannabis. It is very important to look for mental health professionals if the condition is worse. A few medical benefits of cannabis as a drug can’t be denied but it does not make it suitable for the young brains of teens.

Works Cited

ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Mack, Alison, and Janet Joy. MARIJUANA AND AIDS. National Academies Press (US), 2000. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224400/.

“Marijuana Use Worsens Teen Depression.” Teen Marijuana Use Worsens Depression: An Analysis of Recent Data Shows “Self-Medicating” Could Actually Make Things Worse, Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Gale, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010436252/OVIC?u=atla29738&sid=OVIC&xid=78b5ad91.

Patton, George C., et al. “Cannabis Use and Mental Health in Young People: Cohort Study.” Bmj, vol. 325, no. 7374, 2002, pp. 1195–98.

Solowij, Nadia, et al. “Verbal Learning and Memory in Adolescent Cannabis Users, Alcohol Users and Non-Users.” Psychopharmacology, vol. 216, no. 1, 2011, pp. 131–44.