Weed and the
‍teen brain

The teen brain is going through a process of fine-tuning connections as it matures, and it has a great ability to change and adapt based on what teens do and experience.

Scroll down to see how using weed can interrupt that process.

HOW DOES Weed aFFECT
‍the teen brain?

The teen brain shows a greater ability to change (plasticity) than that of adults based on what teens do and experience. Using weed as a teen may put your brain development at risk.

Decision Making

The prefrontal cortex is one of the last regions of the brain to mature. It is responsible for complex decision-making, like planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses. Using cannabis as a teen may increase the speed of cortex thinning.

Coordination

The prefrontal cortex is one of the last regions of the brain to mature. It is responsible for complex decision-making, like planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses. Using cannabis as a teen may increase the speed of cortex thinning.

Motivation

The prefrontal cortex is one of the last regions of the brain to mature. It is responsible for complex decision-making, like planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses. Using cannabis as a teen may increase the speed of cortex thinning.

Dependence

People who use weed to cope with negative emotions are likely to develop dependence and addiction, as frequent weed use can result in the receptors called CB1 becoming less sensitive to THC. That means more and more is needed to feel the same effects.

Decision-Making

The prefrontal cortex is one of the last regions of the brain to mature. It is responsible for complex decision-making, like planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses. Using cannabis as a teen may increase the speed of cortex thinning, which is a sign of an aging brain.

Coordination

Weed affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for motor functions, like how you move around. Weed can harm its development.

Motivation

Weed impacts the basal ganglia. That’s the part of the brain where you get motivation from. Regularly using weed can impact the production of dopamine. That’s the chemical in the body that allows you to feel pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation.

Dependence

People who use weed to cope with negative emotions are likely to develop dependence and addiction. Frequent weed use can result in the receptors called CB1 becoming less sensitive to THC. That means more and more is needed to feel the same effects.

Memory Formation

The hippocampus manages the brain’s ability to form and hold memories. When people smoke weed, the THC in weed attaches to receptors in the hippocampus, impacting its ability to do so.

Weed & STRESS

Regular cannabis use before your mid-20s can affect the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, anxiety, fear and stress. This makes it harder to manage stress and anxiety in the long-term.
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Using weed regularly may interfere with the brain’s ability to make dopamine, also known as the “feel-good hormone.” Heavy usage may decrease the user’s ability to feel pleasure, motivation, or satisfaction.
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Individuals who use weed to cope with negative emotions are likely to develop a dependence. This is because frequent weed use can desensitize CB1 receptors in the brain, making it so more THC is needed over time to produce similar effects.
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UP NEXT

The Science, Facts, and Research

Learn more about weed’s impact on your brain from medical studies.

Read More
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