Protecting Your Child’s Brain: The Risks of Marijuana Use and What You Can Do

Dr. Wesley Sassaman, DNP, MSN-NE, MPH, MBA, FNP-C, CARN-AP

Why Parents Should Be Concerned

The legalization and growing acceptance of marijuana often lead to its risks being downplayed, particularly among teens. But for adolescents, marijuana exposure comes with serious consequences. The teenage brain undergoes rapid development, forming pathways that shape learning, emotional regulation, and decision-making. Interference during this critical period can have long-lasting effects.

What Makes the Teenage Brain Vulnerable

The human brain continues developing into the mid-twenties. Adolescence is a time when the brain builds and strengthens neural connections essential for cognitive and emotional health. Central to this process is the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which ensures proper brain-cell communication. Anchored by CB1 and CB2 receptors, the ECS maintains essential balance in brain function.

CB1 Receptors

CB1 receptors, found abundantly in the brain, regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin (linked to mood), dopamine (connected to motivation), and GABA (critical for calming emotional responses). Synaptic plasticity—a process essential for learning, memory, and emotional control—depends on the proper function of CB1 receptors (Martinez Ramirez et al., 2022).

However, THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, overstimulates CB1 receptors. During adolescence, this can hinder memory formation, emotional balance, and decision-making (Han et al., 2022; Gu et al., 2021).

CB2 Receptors

CB2 receptors, mostly present in immune cells, protect the brain by reducing inflammation and repairing damage caused by oxidative stress (Ishiguro et al., 2022; Vasincu et al., 2023). While these receptors are less involved in marijuana's psychoactive effects, THC disrupts the ECS balance, diminishing CB2’s neuroprotective role. This disruption could affect stress recovery and long-term neurological health.

The Risks of Marijuana Use for Adolescents

Scientific studies emphasize the dangers of marijuana use during adolescence, especially regarding cognitive development, emotional health, and social well-being.

Cognitive Impairments and AddictionFrequent marijuana use can impair memory, concentration, and information retention, as THC significantly impacts CB1 receptor activity (Han et al., 2022; Stachowicz, 2023). Over time, the brain may depend on THC to release dopamine, increasing the risk of lifelong dependency and addiction (Kibret et al., 2023; Stringfield & Torregrossa, 2024).
Lower Academic PerformanceTHC disrupts communication between brain cells by reducing calcium levels, weakening memory and focus (Haspel, 2022; Boczek & Zylinska, 2021). Teens who regularly use marijuana often struggle in academic settings, impacting their grades and overall success (McFadden et al., 2024).
Mood and Emotional InstabilityThe interference with GABA release, a neurotransmitter that calms emotional responses, can cause heightened anxiety, impulsivity, and mood swings in teens (Gu et al., 2021; Han et al., 2022).
Potential Neurological DisordersMarijuana use during adolescence is linked to abnormal brain development in key structures like the hippocampus and amygdala. Such disruptions can increase the likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and intellectual disabilities (Tadesse et al., 2024; Zhang et al., 2024; Navarri et al., 2024).

How Parents Can Make a Difference

While these risks are significant, parents can guide their teens and foster healthier habits through proactive involvement.

Create Open and Non-Judgmental Dialogues

Teens respond better to open and understanding communication. Discuss marijuana’s effects using relatable examples, such as how THC reduces glutamate and makes learning harder (Stachowicz, 2023). When conversations focus on aspirations and health rather than punishment, the message resonates.

Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Teens often use substances to cope with stress or peer pressure. Offering alternatives like exercise, creative arts, or mindfulness can provide outlets for dopamine boosts without substances.

Be Proactive

Monitor your child’s environment and social circles. Peer influence is significant during adolescence, and cultivating strong, positive relationships can make a critical difference.

Stay Educated

By staying updated on the latest science, you can better inform your teen. For example, studies have shown that THC significantly disrupts neurotransmitter pathways during adolescence, which compromises the brain’s ability to recover and adapt (McFadden et al., 2024). Sharing such facts can strengthen your teen’s understanding of the risks.

Seek Professional Assistance

If you suspect marijuana use, don’t hesitate to involve professionals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and emerging peer-support programs, such as Peer Network Counseling, have been shown to successfully help teens reduce dependency (Mauries et al., 2024; Zaharakis et al., 2024).

The Bigger Picture

The teenage brain is still under construction, and marijuana use threatens this natural development by altering critical processes and pathways. However, with informed parenting and strong support, families can guide teens toward healthier behaviors.

Closing Message

Parenting teenagers is no easy task, especially in the face of challenges like substance use. But your love, guidance, and willingness to approach difficult topics with understanding and evidence-based knowledge are invaluable.

By fostering open conversations, offering healthy alternatives, and seeking support when needed, you can protect your child’s brain and help them thrive. Together, you can build a future where they achieve their fullest potential—free from the dangers of marijuana use and its lasting consequences.

References

Boczek, T., & Zylinska, L. (2021). Receptor-dependent and independent regulation of voltage-gated Ca²+ channels and Ca²+-permeable channels by endocannabinoids in the brain. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(15), 8168.
Gu, S. M., Seo, S., Park, D., Kim, S., Lamichhane, S., Han, K., Kim, Y.-H., Lee, S., Hong, J. T., Cha, H. J., & Yun, J. (2021). Cannabinoid receptor type 1 regulates drug reward behavior via glutamate decarboxylase 67 transcription. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(19), 10486.
Han, X., Liang, Y., Hempel, B. J., Jordan, C. J., Shen, H., Bi, G.-H., Li, J., & Xi, Z.-X. (2022). Cannabinoid CB1 receptors are expressed in a subset of dopamine neurons and underlie cannabinoid-induced aversion, hypoactivity, and anxiolytic effects in mice. The Journal of Neuroscience, 43(3), 373–385.
Haspel, M. (2022). Distinct mechanisms of CB1 and GABAB receptor presynaptic modulation of striatal indirect pathway projections to mouse globus pallidus. The Journal of Physiology, 601(1), 195–209.
Ishiguro, H., Kibret, B. G., Horiuchi, Y., & Onaivi, E. S. (2022). Potential role of cannabinoid type 2 receptors in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13.
Kibret, B. G., Canseco-Alba, A., Onaivi, E. S., & Engidawork, E. (2023). Crosstalk between the endocannabinoid and mid-brain dopaminergic systems: Implication in dopamine dysregulation. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 17.
Martinez Ramirez, C. E., Ruiz-Pérez, G., Stollenwerk, T. M., Behlke, C., Doherty, A., & Hillard, C. J. (2022). Endocannabinoid signaling in the central nervous system. Glia, 71(1), 35–50.
Mauries, S., Dufayet, G., Lengereau, A., Lejoyeux, M., Geoffroy, P., & Dupong, I. (2024). Cognitive-behavioral therapies in the management of adolescents with cannabis use disorder (CUD): A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 260, 111321.
McFadden, M. H., Emeritt, M.-B., Xu, H., Cui, Y., Leterrier, C., Zala, D., Venance, L., & Lenkei, Z. (2024). Actomyosin-mediated inhibition of synaptic vesicle release under CB1R activation. Translational Psychiatry, 14(1).
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