The effects of cannabis use during adolescence

Experts warn of the risks to the development of adolescents and young people under 25.

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SOM Salud Mental 360

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug among young people in Spain, with an average age of first use being 15. More than 20% of young people between 15 and 24 have used cannabis in the last year, and nearly 15% have used it in the last month. Furthermore, 1% of adolescents between 14 and 18 years old believe that cannabis use has no health consequences. These figures come from the 2022 Survey on Alcohol and Other Drugs in Spain (EDADES), published by the Ministry of Health.

Cannabis and its derivatives are widely available in various forms. These products can be eaten, drunk, smoked, or vaporized. Despite the growing trend of legalizing its use for therapeutic purposes in several European countries, new studies have demonstrated its detrimental effects on health , especially in at-risk individuals. There is evidence that cannabis use in adolescents and young adults under 25 is linked to an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders and their early onset. This is highlighted in an international study published in the British Medical Journal , which aims to measure the risks and benefits of cannabis and cannabinoid use on health and which included the participation of researchers from the Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS . The study underscores the negative implications of cannabis use for mental health, cognition, and overall well-being.

Researchers emphasize the importance of preventing the use of cannabis and its derivatives in young people under 25 years of age, who should not be consuming cannabis in any way.

Many young people have misconceptions that lead them to start using cannabis, such as the belief that it will bring personal or social pleasure or help them solve life's problems. This was the point made by Josep Matalí, Head of the Psychology and Outpatient Clinic at the Addictive Behaviors Unit of Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, during a discussion organized by the Official College of Physicians of Barcelona (COMB). With the aim of raising awareness about the health effects of frequent cannabis use, especially among adolescents and young adults under 25, the COMB has published a ten-point guide on health and cannabis .

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Preventing cannabis use in adolescents

Attention and memory deficits, even after a month of abstinence.
Learning impairment. Chronic cannabis use is linked to decreased IQ and academic performance.
Increased rates of absenteeism and school failure.
Increase in suicide attempts.
Increased risk of traffic accidents.
Higher risk and earlier onset of serious psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The risk of developing psychotic disorders increases with the frequency of cannabis use, the potency of the product, and as the age of first use decreases.