In short, yes. The best available scientific evidence shows that teens who smoke marijuana are 40 percent more likely to develop psychosis and/or schizophrenia when compared to teens who do not use this drug. This finding was recently reported in Lancet, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world. The research shows a “dose dependent relationship, meaning that the more one smokes, the more likely he or she is to develop serious mental illness.
Why? It’s not yet clear. Reports from Emergency Rooms in the US and United Kingdom are showing a dramatic increase of psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia in teens who smoke marijuana who have no history of schizophrenia or psychosis.Many suspect, as do I, that potency of cannabis may be to blame. Hydroponically grown cannabis, called “Crippy is 5-8 times more potent in its THC content that marijuana in decades past. The developing brain simply cannot handle the powerful psychoactive affects of this drug. In addition marijuana stays in the brain for months, maybe longer, and users remain impaired, particularly in their thinking, problem solving ability and emotional health. Conclusion–marijuana NOT is a harmless drug.
Unfortunately the regular users will dismiss this evidence as yet another scare tactic, but hopefully these facts will cause others to consider that a healthy brain is infinitely more valuable than a temporary buzz.
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