How Cannabis Use Impacts Mental Health in Youth
Posted on
Since Connecticut’s legalization of adult-use cannabis last year, there’s been a lot of discussion about the potential ramifications for teens and adolescents. Becoming part of this conversation—and the solution—starts with getting informed. Here’s what you need to know about the complex relationship between mental health and cannabis use among young people, whose brains are still developing.
How Underage Cannabis Use Puts Mental Health at Risk
Cannabis is almost always depicted in the media as making users feel silly, sleepy, or “stoned,” but the truth is, the immediate effects can be unpredictable. There’s virtually no way for a young person to know how they’ll react to the drug or how much is “too much”—and this can lead to scary experiences.
As THC enters the blood stream, temporarily increasing both heart rate and blood pressure, the user may experience severe anxiety, sudden changes in mood, or feelings of paranoia. In some cases, they might even exhibit signs of psychosis: seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. One’s sense of identity may become altered—or simply lost. Judgement becomes impaired, and young people may make decisions they’ll later regret, such as engaging in risky sexual behavior. Although these are short-term effects, an extreme reaction or a poor decision can be difficult to shake off in the long term.
At the same time, THC causes the brain to release the feel-good hormone dopamine. This makes young people (for whom important regions of the brain are still developing) much more susceptible to becoming addicted. And as their cannabis use becomes more regular, the chances of developing depression, anxiety, and/or suicidality increase.
Long-Term Mental Health Impacts
Cannabis can interfere with crucial brain development. Young people who use it regularly may face the consequences later in life, including greater risks for:
- Antisocial behavior
- Lower life satisfaction
- Cannabis use disorder
- Other forms of addiction
Luckily, the risk of developing a new mental health condition solely because of cannabis use is generally low, especially for young people who have protective factors like supportive families, positive social connections, and good coping skills. However, the risk is never zero—and even in teens with no pre-existing conditions, declines in mental health attributed to cannabis are possible.
Youth with Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions
While studies continue to discover more about how cannabis interrupts and alters brain development, it’s important to note that mental health status is a significant factor in whether a young person will choose to use cannabis. For instance, the Connecticut Department of Public Health found that about 25% of students with poor mental health used cannabis, while only 14% of students without poor mental health did.
Why might young people with underlying mental health conditions be more likely to use cannabis? In SERAC’s April 2022 study of more than a thousand middle and high school students, “coping” was named as a primary motivation for using cannabis, which stands in stark contrast to “being social” and “feeling good,” the reasons students commonly cited for using alcohol.
Despite much misinformation, cannabis is not a healthy coping tool for teens and adolescents. It can exacerbate underlying psychiatric conditions, greatly increase the risk of conditions one might already be at risk for, and even cause an earlier onset of symptoms. After using cannabis, teens might experience changes in mood or suicidal thoughts—and if they assume these are typical side effects of cannabis, or fear getting into trouble for their drug use, they may be unlikely to seek help.
Yet knowing that teens and adolescents may use cannabis to self-medicate their stress and anxiety can unlock new strategies for supporting youth through their challenges. Parents and teachers can give adolescents the tools to cope with these feelings, and be on the lookout for signs of distress. Earlier interventions can prevent kids from ever turning to cannabis as a coping tool.
Take the Next Step:
Learn more about the stigmas associated with mental health and find resources for screening and support. SERAC’s new “Bring The Light” campaign shines a much-needed light on mental wellness in order to dispel myths, highlight facts, and help start important conversations.