Cannabis is Harmful Towards Developing Brains

[TheSmokingMonkey]

But, there is a lot of information out there indicating that marijuana MAY hinder development of metacognition (the ability to think about one's thoughts and form complex ideas) and MAY increase susceptibility to other drug use/addiction and MAY increase the risk of developing schizophrenia at an earlier age.

The bottom line is, nobody really knows, and the risks are probably overstated.

[TheSmokingMonkey]

On the other hand, it also forestalls the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

My personal opinion is that kids' brains are still forming habits and that it should be treated like many families treat alcohol - "only for special occasions" or "just a taste". When a child demonstrates a reasonable level of emotional and intellectual responsibility, then they should be treated like an adult, and that includes regarding drug use. For some people that is age 14 and for others it isn't until they are 18 or 20.

[Storm Crow]

Monkey, you got it just about right, according to this study on IQ and pot smoking. Pay attention to the number of joints you smoke a week- it can make a big difference. http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/abstract/166/7/887 --Kids, this study is a classic! Everyone who ever expects to hear the "it rots your brain" arguement, should have this little gem stashed for just such an occation.

[DonJuan]

Are you a medical Doctor Hanks? I surely wouldnt reccomend weed to a teenager, and I am a smoker and not medically qualified. I believe is best, through perso experience, to wait a bit - like say 21 yearts of age. Let yourself grow up a bit mentally before maybe changing your world view with Cannabis.

[DonJuan]

sorry about the misspelling...i am stoned!

[LIP]

But, there is a lot of information out there indicating that marijuana MAY hinder development of metacognition (the ability to think about one's thoughts and form complex ideas) and MAY increase susceptibility to other drug use/addiction and MAY increase the risk of developing schizophrenia at an earlier age.
The bottom line is, nobody really knows, and the risks are probably overstated.

In a study scientists found cannabis can cause a mental healt issue to show, and therefore the cannabis is blamed for it, but in the same experiment they also said cannabis cannot CAUSE any mental health issue, just make it apparant.

And that was a study carried out by biased cunts who thought it DID cause it. That proved them wrong.

[qdavid]

I'm not exactly sure if what this means, if anything, but it is a proven scietific fact that the corpus collosum (of your brain) doesn't fully come together, from it's seperate hemispheres, until about age 25.

[orangeman]

If this is true then my brain is harmed because I'm 16 and obviously I'm still developing lol.

[Polymirize]

I'm not exactly sure if what this means, if anything, but it is a proven scietific fact that the corpus collosum (of your brain) doesn't fully come together, from it's seperate hemispheres, until about age 25.

Uh, its been awhile since I've studied the subject, but that doesn't sound right at all. The corpus collosum is the large band of neurons connecting the right and left hemispheres but I could swear its fully developed long (long) before the age of 25. Can you back that up?

As for the issue in general... It would be silly to assume that cannabis doesn't have an effect on the developing brain. And while different doesn't necessarily imply worse, I can think of a lot of people I know who "started to early" and never really moved on because of it.
Regardless, at a young age when the mind is still developing so much, it seems it would be far better for kids to be exposed to music, or the outdoors, or art than smoking cannabis.

just my thoughts...

[rebgirl420]

Ive smoked since i was 11 also and now im in college getting straight A's like I have all my life and i'm going to become an elementry school teacher