Teen Marijuana Use Linked to Serious Health Disorders
Increased availability and potency of marijuana are leading to a higher risk of psychiatric conditions and substance use disorder in young people with developing brains.
With the legalization of marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes, marijuana use has become increasingly accepted and commonplace in the United States. But for teens and young adults with developing brains, research has shown that changes in the drug’s potency and accessibility pose serious health risks—particularly for those with a family history of mental health or substance use disorders.
“We know the brain isn’t fully developed until age 25, with the prefrontal cortex—which controls rational thinking, decision-making and executive functioning—being the last thing to develop,” says Moe Gelbart, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist who is the director of behavioral health and the executive director of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. “When a teen with a developing brain uses marijuana, it can increase their risk of developing anxiety, depression, developmental delays and learning challenges—as well as more serious disorders such as substance use disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and psychosis.”
“Adolescent marijuana use is linked to a nearly 40% increased risk of depression,” says Gretchen Lent, MD, director of the emergency department at Torrance Memorial. “Teens who use marijuana are also more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and face up to a six-fold increased risk of developing schizophrenia. In addition, research shows frequent marijuana use at a young age raises the risk of developing substance use disorders in adulthood by up to 50%—especially for those with a family history of mental health or addiction.”
Higher doses, greater risks
The risks associated with marijuana use become magnified with higher dosages of the psychoactive compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) found in modern marijuana products. THC is the component of marijuana that makes users feel high.
“Marijuana is a genetically modifiable plant, and in response to consumer demand for stronger effects, growers have been engineering it to contain much higher levels of THC—the main psychoactive compound,” says Dr. Lent. “Back in the 1970s, marijuana typically contained about 1% THC. Today it commonly contains 20% to 30%, and in some concentrated forms THC levels can exceed 90%.”
“The higher the THC content, the more damage it can cause to the developing brain,” says Dr. Gelbart. “And with marijuana now available from clinics, on the street, and in vapes, edibles, dabs and other forms that are unregulated, young people often don’t know how much THC they’re consuming and end up engaging in dangerous activities like driving while impaired—or in the emergency department with a serious problem.”
Dr. Lent and Dr. Gelbart say those problems can include psychotic episodes, which include symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia and delusions, as well as a condition called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, which causes recurrent episodes of severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
A serious drug that can have negative consequences
Marijuana can also be laced with a potentially deadly synthetic opioid called fentanyl, which is cheap, easily accessible and often used in street drugs to provide a “better high.”
“Even a small amount of fentanyl can be deadly,” says Dr. Lent. “What’s especially alarming is that many people in our community don’t realize they’re ingesting fentanyl at all. In the emergency department, when someone comes in with a suspected overdose, we often run a toxicology screen. Time and again I’ve had to tell patients—after they’ve stabilized—that their test came back positive for fentanyl. They’re shocked. They thought they had taken something else entirely, like marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy or even illicit oxycodone—never knowing it was laced with fentanyl.”
When it comes to marijuana use, Dr. Gelbart says parents can protect their teens by knowing the myths surrounding marijuana use, responding appropriately and addressing any concerns before a serious problem develops.
“If they get caught using marijuana, it’s probably not the first time they’ve tried it,” says Dr. Gelbart. “Despite the fact that marijuana is legal in some states and may have medical benefits for a small number of people, it is a serious drug that can have numerous negative consequences for teens.”
What to do if your teen needs help:
The Thelma McMillen Recovery Center is the South Bay’s leading hospital-based outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center. It is located at 3333 Skypark Drive, Suite 200, Torrance. If your teen needs treatment for drug or alcohol use, call the center at 310-784-4879.
