Cannabis exposure during adolescence: A uniquely sensitive period for neurobiological effects.
K Z Peters, N E Zlebnik, J F Cheer
International review of neurobiology 2022 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.07.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Adolescence Cb1 Dopamine Endocannabinoids Psychosis Reward Schizophrenia |
| Key findings | Argues that the endocannabinoid system undergoes developmental changes during adolescence that influence dopamine circuit maturation, and that adolescent THC exposure may disrupt excitatory/inhibitory balance in the developing brain, potentially shaping later vulnerability to psychosis, schizophrenia, and addiction. |
Abstract
Adolescence is a crucial developmental period where neural circuits are refined and the brain is especially vulnerable to external insults. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system undergoes changes during adolescence which affect the way in which it modulates the development of other systems, in particular dopamine circuits, which show protracted development into adolescence. Given the rise of cannabis use by adolescents and young people, as well as variants containing increasingly higher concentrations of THC, it is now crucial to understand the unique effects of adolescent exposure to cannabis on the developing brain and it might shape future adult vulnerabilities to conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, addiction and more. Here we discuss the development of the eCB system across the lifespan, how CB1 receptors modulate dopamine release and potential neurobiological and behavioral effects of adolescent THC exposure on the developing brain such as alterations in excitatory/inhibitory balance during this developmental period.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Gender Differences in Dual Diagnoses Associated with Cannabis Use: A Review Brain Sciences March 15, 2022
- Adolescent THC impacts on mPFC dopamine-mediated cognitive processes in male and female rats. Psychopharmacology February 1, 2025
- Age-Related Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids on Brain and Behavior. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research April 2026
- Astrogliosis Occurs Selectively in Amygdala of Adolescent Primate and Rodent Following Daily Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Prevented by Cannabidiol Co-Treatment. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science July 1, 2025
- Alterations in rat prefrontal cortex kynurenic acid levels are involved in the enduring cognitive dysfunctions induced by tetrahydrocannabinol exposure during the adolescence. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022
and 1 more in the library
Cites 8
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- Cannabis and synaptic reprogramming of the developing brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience July 2021
- Adult Cellular Neuroadaptations Induced by Adolescent THC Exposure in Female Rats Are Rescued by Enhancing Anandamide Signaling. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology November 1, 2018
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to evaluate the subjective abuse potential and cognitive effects of nabiximols oromucosal spray in subjects with a history of recreational cannabis use. Human psychopharmacology April 2011
- Adolescent brain maturation, the endogenous cannabinoid system and the neurobiology of cannabis-induced schizophrenia. Progress in Neurobiology November 2010
and 3 more in the library