Studies and Emerging Science
Studies show that teens who smoke marijuana frequently are more likely to experience a long-term drop in their IQ. Read the Study
Science confirms the adolescent brain is not fully developed until the early to mid-20s. Developing brains are especially susceptible to all of the negative effects of marijuana and other drug use.
Marijuana and Adolescent Health
Significantly linked with addiction, heart and lung complications
The heart begins beating more rapidly and the blood pressure drops
Can cause the heartbeat to increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute
Impairs the body’s immune system from fighting disease
Significantly linked with mental illnesses schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, and anxiety
Teenagers are more vulnerable to addiction
Marijuana and the Developing Adolescent Brain
Causes hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory, disorientation
IQ loss and poor school and job outcomes
Directly affects the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, and reaction time
Negative effects on the adolescent brain that regulates the planning complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and social behavior
Marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke
Withdrawal symptoms that include irritability, anxiety, insomnia, appetite disturbance, and depression
What marijuana does to your
Brain—Affects nerve cells in the brain that control emotions, memory, and judgment and causes these areas to function abnormally.
Heart—Causes a rapid heartbeat. The drug can speed the heart rate up to 160 beats per minute, increasing the risk of heart attack.
Liver—THC in marijuana impairs the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases and cancer, including liver cancer.
Lungs—Smoking three joints damages your lungs as much as smoking 20 cigarettes (one pack). Marijuana contains 50 percent more tar than tobacco. Long-term heavy use of marijuana is associated with chronic lung disease and lung cancer.