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Cannabis 'more harmful than alcohol' for teen brains | Cannabis 'more harmful than alcohol' for teen brains |
(35 minutes later) | |
Teenagers using cannabis are causing long-lasting damage to their developing brains, a Canadian study suggests. | Teenagers using cannabis are causing long-lasting damage to their developing brains, a Canadian study suggests. |
It found the impact on thinking skills, memory and behaviour was worse than that of teenage drinking. | It found the impact on thinking skills, memory and behaviour was worse than that of teenage drinking. |
The researchers, from the University of Montreal, urged teenagers to delay their use of cannabis for as long as they felt able. | The researchers, from the University of Montreal, urged teenagers to delay their use of cannabis for as long as they felt able. |
The study tracked and tested 3,800 adolescents over four years, starting from around the age of 13. | The study tracked and tested 3,800 adolescents over four years, starting from around the age of 13. |
Drinking alcohol and taking drugs, such as cannabis, at a young age is known to cause problems with cognitive abilities such as learning, attention and decision-making as well as academic performance at school. | Drinking alcohol and taking drugs, such as cannabis, at a young age is known to cause problems with cognitive abilities such as learning, attention and decision-making as well as academic performance at school. |
This study found these problems increased as cannabis use increased - and the effects were lasting, unlike those of alcohol. | |
The teenagers, from 31 different Canadian schools, gave details of their drug and drinking habits once a year. | |
Their brain skills were also tested every year in school using computer-based cognitive tests. | Their brain skills were also tested every year in school using computer-based cognitive tests. |
Developing brains | Developing brains |
Although levels of cannabis use in the study were low compared with alcohol use, 28% of the teenagers still admitted to some kind of use. | Although levels of cannabis use in the study were low compared with alcohol use, 28% of the teenagers still admitted to some kind of use. |
This compared with 75% of the teenagers who said they drank alcohol at least occasionally. | This compared with 75% of the teenagers who said they drank alcohol at least occasionally. |
Prof Patricia J Conrod, lead study author, from the department of psychiatry at Montreal, said she had expected alcohol to have had more of an impact on the teenagers' brains. | Prof Patricia J Conrod, lead study author, from the department of psychiatry at Montreal, said she had expected alcohol to have had more of an impact on the teenagers' brains. |
But, instead, the research detected greater increases in errors in cognitive tests on the teenagers using cannabis - while they were taking the drug and after they had stopped. | |
These effects were seen in working memory, reasoning and their ability to control their behaviour. | These effects were seen in working memory, reasoning and their ability to control their behaviour. |
"Their brains are still developing but cannabis is interfering with that," Prof Conrod said, of teenagers. | "Their brains are still developing but cannabis is interfering with that," Prof Conrod said, of teenagers. |
"They should delay their use of cannabis as long as they can." | "They should delay their use of cannabis as long as they can." |
She also said the findings highlighted the importance of drug-prevention programmes. | She also said the findings highlighted the importance of drug-prevention programmes. |
Cannabis is thought to be the most widely used illegal drug in the UK. | Cannabis is thought to be the most widely used illegal drug in the UK. |
It can be addictive and using it has been shown to increase the risk of developing psychotic illnesses, particularly in adolescents. | It can be addictive and using it has been shown to increase the risk of developing psychotic illnesses, particularly in adolescents. |
Giving up cannabis can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeping problems and mood swings, experts say. | Giving up cannabis can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeping problems and mood swings, experts say. |
The study is published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. | The study is published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. |
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