Correlation, not causation

When is comes to teenagers, they're in a rush to do feel older and mature.  All they want to do is fit in and I believe drinking and getting their fix on the newest drug makes them believe they do.  According to a recent study, the largest to comprehensively investigate brain white matter, adolescents should think twice before taking a puff.

A study according to new research was conducted at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in conjunction with the University of Melbourne and the University of Wollongong, whose results were published in the leading neurology journal, Brain.  They found that those individuals who were heavy cannabis users and who have a longer period of exposure, had the most significant changes to their brains, especially the area responsible for memory function.  They stated that the age marijuana use began was a key factor in determining the severity of any deterioration to the brain.  The younger the user was when they started, the worse the outcome, greatest abnormalities, and more drastic the cognitive impairment.

The study followed 59 cannabis users and 33 non-users with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images to determine which areas of the brain had been affected.  The leading researcher, Doctor Marc Seal found that there were certain ages at which the brain was more vulnerable to damage due to regular cannabis use.  "Our results suggest that long-term cannabis use is hazardous to white mater in the developing brain.  This was especially true for those who had started in adolescence, as we know the brain is still developing during this time."  He then said that delaying use of said drug may minimize such harmful effects, not to encourage use at all.  The areas of the brain that sustained the most damage included the hippocampus and commissural fibers which may underlie the memory impairment most commonly found in long-term heavy users.  Deterioration and alteration of brain white matter have also been linked to schizophrenia.  In this study, those most effected were found to start using around age 16 and were repeat users for about 15 years.

I think it's also important to note that marijuana use these days may not seem like a huge deal, compared to what else is out there.  It is honestly scary that studies show fewer adolescents believe that regular cannabis use is harmful to our health.  The more this ideology spreads, the younger users become, and the more damage occurs.  I'd like to also note that persistent cannabis use was STILL ASSOCIATED with neurophysiological decline even after years of continuing education.  Once these kids start smoking, cessation of use will not restore lost neuropsychological function.

These new results highlight the importance of prevention and policy efforts targeting adolescents.

http://www.mcri.edu.au/news/2012/august/adolescents-most-at-risk-of-brain-damage-from-long-term,-heavy-cannabis-use.aspx