Teen Marijuana And Alcohol Use May Hurt School Performance, Mental Health

Although people have been using marijuana since the ancient times, the jury is still out on its health effects. While many studies suggest marijuana use is safe and can even improve health, like alleviating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, others have shown it can increase risk of substance use disorder and adversely affect our brain power. Now, new research published in the journal Addiction strengthens the argument of those opposed to lighting up, linking marijuana use to lower academic functioning, less preparedness for school, poorer mental health, and more delinquent behavior.

"Many youth tend to think that alcohol use has more consequences than marijuana use and therefore view marijuana use as safer than drinking," lead study author Elizabeth D'Amico, senior behavioral scientist at the nonprofit RAND Corporation, said in a statement. "However, youth need to better understand the harms of marijuana use, such as the potential effect on their developing brain and how it can affect performance in both adolescence and adulthood."

http://www.medicaldaily.com/teen-marijuana-use-alcohol-academic-performance-mental-health-389955