New Study Finds Teens Who Use Weed Before Age 15 More Likely to Experience Mental and Physical Health Problems Later in Life
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that teenagers who start using cannabis before the age of 15 are more likely to experience mental and physical health problems later in life. The study, which followed over 1,500 children from birth to young adulthood, found that those who started using cannabis in their late teens and used it infrequently were less likely to experience health problems than those who started using it early and frequently.
The researchers found that 60% of the teens in the study did not use cannabis at all, while 40% did use it. Of those who used it, half started using it in their late teens and used it infrequently, while the remaining 20% started using it before the age of 15 and used it frequently.
The study found that those who started using cannabis before the age of 15 and used it frequently were more likely to seek healthcare for mental and physical health problems in young adulthood. They were 51% more likely to seek care for mental health problems and 86% more likely to seek care for physical health problems.
The researchers believe that the early and frequent use of cannabis may disrupt healthy neural development in the adolescent brain, leading to a higher risk of mental and physical health problems later in life. They also found that the risk of health problems was concentrated among those who started using cannabis early and frequently, rather than those who started using it later in life.
The study’s findings are consistent with previous research that has found a link between early cannabis use and a higher risk of developing mental health symptoms. The researchers believe that their study provides further evidence that cannabis use in adolescence can have long-term negative effects on mental and physical health.
The study’s lead author, Massimiliano Orri, said that the findings suggest that delaying cannabis use until later in life may be a way to minimize the risks of health and behavioral problems later in life. He also noted that the study’s findings are consistent with the idea that the adolescent brain is still developing and that using cannabis regularly during this period may disrupt healthy neural development.
The study’s findings have implications for public health policy and for parents and teens who are considering whether to use cannabis. The researchers believe that their study provides further evidence that cannabis use in adolescence is a public health concern and that efforts to delay or prevent cannabis use in this age group may be an effective way to promote healthy development. Me personally, smoked first time at 13-14. Stopped for 6 years and been smoking ever since.
