Marijuana Use on the Developing Brain

The increase in marijuana use is extremely concerning. Especially since it's the most commonly used illicit drug among pregnant women, and can affect the baby’s brain and result in a lower birth weight—a marker for early death and disability. And for adolescents—use of marijuana is third behind alcohol and e-cigs—all of which are illegal for adolescents. Most important, it can result in a decline in school performance and IQ, and an increase in attempted suicide. For the “gateway drug” non-believers, it is a fact that marijuana can be a gateway drug for many adolescents. 

​I have spoken with teens who believe marijuana is a safe and better alternative to alcohol--thanks to the marketing noise and promotion for the many forms and uses of marijuana. Both alcohol and marijuana can damage the brain! And e-cigs have nicotine--a known addictive health harming toxic chemical. The harm of marijuana use is increasing not only because of its increased use, but mostly because the levels of THC is three-five times higher than it was a few decades ago and the risk of marijuana rises with the increase of THC.

I am grateful that I am a marketing skeptic. When I hear marketing noise about any product or idea, I never presume it must be good for me. I almost always presume, there is money to be made there and there is money behind the research and marketing. The last big marketing trend I fell for was the low-fat trend in the 1980's. But, I am much older (and hopefully wiser) now. Talk to your children.

From our Surgeon General - worth a read.   https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/addiction-and-substance-misuse/advisory-on-marijuana-use-and-developing-brain/index.html

Health Inspires, LLC
​Kathryn Scoblick 

---