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Does Marijuana Affect a Teen's Emotional State of Mind?

Marijuana can lead to depression in teens.

By Aaron HueyPublished 4 years ago 2 min read
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Recreational marijuana is becoming legalized in more states in the USA, and this means more people are willing to try it out. Currently, 11 out of the 50 states that make up the USA have legalized marijuana. At a federal level, marijuana is still illegal.

You have people on both sides of the spectrum that either agree or disagree that marijuana should be legalized in the entire United States. But we’re not here to talk about that; this article is specifically to discuss whether or not marijuana negatively affects a teen’s psychological state.

Teenagers are more inclined to experiment to find out who they are and what they like. The years of 12-17 are huge in our development to become mature adults. Risk-taking and discovery are what we do best during this growth period. Though taking risks can be important and define who we are, is the risk of using marijuana as a teenager healthy? Can it lead to disorders? Can it lead to addiction?

Do Teens Have a Higher Risk of Addiction if They Use Marijuana?

The short answer? Yes.

Roughly 20% of adolescents in the USA use marijuana products. Teen addiction to marijuana is a very real thing, especially when you start younger. 1 in 6 people who use marijuana in their teens or younger become addicted.

What does “addiction” mean?

Addiction of substance abuse means that you have a habit or dependence of using said substance. In the case of teenage marijuana addiction, teens feel dependent on using marijuana on a regular basis. This could be through smoking, vaping, or consumption (e.g. edibles and oils). Teens under the age of 18 who become addicted are at a higher risk of developing disorders.

Negative Side Effects of Teenage Marijuana Use

Did you know that the human brain isn’t done developing until our mid-20s? That means that during our teen years, we’re still undergoing necessary brain development. Marijuana usage during our teen years can potentially cause harm to our development.

When teenagers consume marijuana, they are opening themselves to a substance that impairs their quality of life. Negative side effects can include:

  • Difficulty with problem-solving.
  • Difficulty with learning new things and memory.
  • Impaired movement and sensory cognisance.
  • Attention problems.
  • Mental health disorders such as depression.
  • Loss of focus.
  • Loss of physical performance.
  • School dropout and difficulties in education.

Marijuana can have permanent effects on the human brain when used as an adolescent. Adults are less susceptible to acquire these side effects after the age of 18, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t.

When it comes to a teen’s emotional state of mind when they regularly consume or abuse marijuana, they are at a higher risk of becoming afflicted by one of life’s worst brain conditions: depression. When depression sets in, a teenager is more willing to hurt themselves or find avenues to take their mind off of their depression. This is a serious condition that affects 20% of our adolescent population.

It is best that teenagers do not use marijuana products. Based on the information outlined above, use of this drug can hurt a teenager’s ability to fully develop their brain. It can cause them to go to dark places in their mind. They are more inclined to hurt themselves or others while under the influence.

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