Over the next decade, the National Institutes of Health is funding the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development ABCD study —a major longitudinal study that will track a large sample of young Americans from late childhood before first use of drugs to early adulthood. The study will use neuroimaging and other advanced tools to clarify precisely how and to what extent marijuana and other substances, alone and in combination, affect adolescent brain development.
Distribution of cannabinoid receptors in the rat brain. Brain image reveals high levels shown in orange and yellow of cannabinoid receptors in many areas, including the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and nucleus accumbens ventral striatum.
Memory impairment from marijuana use occurs because THC alters how the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory formation, processes information. Most of the evidence supporting this assertion comes from animal studies. Moreover, cognitive impairment in adult rats is associated with structural and functional changes in the hippocampus from THC exposure during adolescence. This suggests that the IQ decline in marijuana users may be caused by something other than marijuana, such as shared familial factors e.
The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. Higher THC levels may explain the rise in emergency room visits involving marijuana use. The popularity of edibles also increases the chance of harmful reactions.
Edibles take longer to digest and produce a high. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to dangerous results. Higher THC levels may also mean a greater risk for addiction if people are regularly exposing themselves to high doses. The Food and Drug Administration has alerted the public to hundreds of reports of serious lung illnesses associated with vaping, including several deaths. Many of the suspect products tested by the states or federal health officials have been identified as vaping products containing THC, the main psychotropic ingredient in marijuana.
Some of the patients reported a mixture of THC and nicotine; and some reported vaping nicotine alone. No one substance has been identified in all of the samples tested, and it is unclear if the illnesses are related to one single compound. Until more details are known, FDA officials have warned people not to use any vaping products bought on the street, and they warn against modifying any products purchased in stores.
They are also asking people and health professionals to report any adverse effects. The CDC has posted an information page for consumers. Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens. However, study findings have been mixed. While it's possible to fail a drug test after inhaling secondhand marijuana smoke, it's unlikely. Studies show that very little THC is released in the air when a person exhales.
Research findings suggest that, unless people are in an enclosed room, breathing in lots of smoke for hours at close range, they aren't likely to fail a drug test. Similarly, it's unlikely that secondhand marijuana smoke would give nonsmoking people in a confined space a high from passive exposure. Studies have shown that people who don't use marijuana report only mild effects of the drug from a nearby smoker, under extreme conditions breathing in lots of marijuana smoke for hours in an enclosed room.
More research is needed to know if secondhand marijuana smoke has similar health risks as secondhand tobacco smoke. A recent study on rats suggests that secondhand marijuana smoke can do as much damage to the heart and blood vessels as secondhand tobacco smoke. What they do know is that the toxins and tar found in marijuana smoke could affect vulnerable people, such as children or people with asthma.
Compared to those who don't use marijuana, those who frequently use large amounts report the following:. If you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, you may wonder about medicinal marijuana as a treatment option. We've got answers for you. Marijuana has been used as a medicine for thousands of years.
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Share on Pinterest. Respiratory system. Circulatory system. Central nervous system. Digestive system. Immune system. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Email Address. What is Marijuana? Is Marijuana Medicine? The Harmful Effects of Marijuana. On the Road To Drug Abuse. Behind The Smoke Screen. The Truth About Drugs. How much do you really know about marijuana?
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