Research shows that teens who smoke cannabis damage the lining of their brains.
Those who had smoked cannabis before the age of 16 had a thinner cerebral cortex – the outermost layer of the brain – than those who had not, Canadian researchers found.
Experts say the findings are worrying because the cerebral cortex is a crucial part of the brain – responsible for cognition, memory and reasoning.
The scientists behind the study claim that THC – or tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis – could shrink this part of the brain.
The findings come amid increased research into the dangers of smoking cannabis. Nearly one in ten people in Britain say they have used the drug in the past year. Among 16 to 24 year olds this figure rises to 15 percent.
Teens who smoke cannabis may damage the lining of their brains (stock image)
Those who smoked cannabis before age 16 had a thinner cerebral cortex (stock image)
Earlier this month, medics in the US, where cannabis use has been legalized in 24 states, said they had seen an increase in debilitating side effects linked to chronic use of the drug.
This includes an increasing number of cases of ‘scromiting’ – a phenomenon in which patients both scream and vomit.
Previous studies have also linked cannabis use in adolescents to an increased risk of developing serious psychotic disorders later in life.
A 2007 study found that teens who had smoked marijuana at least five times were twice as likely to develop psychosis in the next ten years than teens who had never tried the drug.
The latest research into the effect of cannabis on the brain was conducted by scientists from the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal.
Dr. Tomas Paus, psychologist and co-author of the study, said it is possible that cannabis use “makes it more difficult for the brain to learn new things, interact with people and deal with new situations.”
‘In other words, it makes the brain more vulnerable to everything that can happen in a young person’s life.’