Hey Teens!
Let's Talk About Cannabis and Your Amazing Brain 🧠💡
Your Brain is Like a Top-Tier Gaming PC!
Your brain is in a crucial stage of development during your teenage years, just like a high-end gaming rig getting all its epic upgrades. This means it's super sensitive to everything happening around you, including substances like cannabis.
Cannabis and Brain Thinning: The Not-So-Cool Lag
Studies have shown that cannabis use during adolescence can speed up the thinning of the cortex, the part of your brain that helps you make smart decisions, plan, and control impulses. Think of it as your gaming PC lagging like it’s 2003 – it’s not the vibe!
Attention and Focus: Keep Your Skills Sharp
Using cannabis can mess with your ability to stay focused and control impulses. This is like losing control of the remote during the boss level of your game. Keeping your attention and focus sharp helps you dominate in school, sports, and all the activities you love!
Cannabis Use and Its Impact on Learning and Memory
Your teenage brain is busy building connections that help you learn and remember things. Cannabis can interfere with this process, making it harder to remember important stuff like school lessons, names, and even where you left your controller!
Your Future Self Will Thank You
Staying away from cannabis now means giving your brain the best chance to develop into a powerful, healthy adult brain. Your future self will thank you for making smart choices today, keeping all your skills and memory sharp for the epic adventures ahead!
To learn more about cannabis and the effects on the adolescent brain, check out this study from 2021 JAMA Psychiatry, Association of Cannabis Use During Adolescence With Neurodevelopment