Effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain.
Joanna Jacobus, Susan F Tapert
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014 DOI: 10.2174/13816128113199990426 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Heavy marijuana use in adolescence is associated with disadvantages in neurocognitive performance, macrostructural and microstructural brain development, and altered brain functioning, though the authors contend it remains unclear whether these reflect pre-existing differences rather than effects of cannabis itself. They call for prospective research to separate dose-dependent effects from pre-existing vulnerabilities and to examine interactions with other substances such as alcohol. |
Abstract
This article reviews neuroimaging, neurocognitive, and preclinical findings on the effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain. Marijuana is the second most widely used intoxicant in adolescence, and teens who engage in heavy marijuana use often show disadvantages in neurocognitive performance, macrostructural and microstructural brain development, and alterations in brain functioning. It remains unclear whether such disadvantages reflect pre-existing differences that lead to increased substances use and further changes in brain architecture and behavioral outcomes. Future work should focus on prospective investigations to help disentangle dose-dependent effects from pre-existing effects, and to better understand the interactive relationships with other commonly abused substances (e.g., alcohol) to better understand the role of regular cannabis use on neurodevelopmental trajectories.
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 22
- The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies Pharmacology & Therapeutics October 20, 2018
- Age-related differences in the impact of cannabis use on the brain and cognition: a systematic review European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience January 24, 2019
- Duration of Untreated Disorder and Cannabis Use: An Observational Study on a Cohort of Young Italian Patients Experiencing Psychotic Experiences and Dissociative Symptoms International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health November 30, 2021
- Associations between regular cannabis use and brain resting-state functional connectivity in adolescents and adults Journal of Psychopharmacology July 29, 2023
- Cannabis and Psychosis: A Review of the Risk Factors Involved American Journal of Plant Sciences 2020
and 17 more in the library
Cites 15
- Cannabis use before age 15 and subsequent executive functioning The British Journal of Psychiatry May 31, 2011
- Evidence for involvement of the insula in the psychotropic effects of THC in humans: a double-blind, randomized pharmacological MRI study The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology April 14, 2011
- The effect of cannabis use on memory function: an update. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation 2013
- Altered cerebral blood flow and neurocognitive correlates in adolescent cannabis users. Psychopharmacology August 2012
- Neurochemical alterations in adolescent chronic marijuana smokers: a proton MRS study. Neuroimage July 1, 2011
and 10 more in the library