A recent study “Familial factors may not explain the effect of moderate-to-heavy cannabis use on cognitive functioning in adolescents: a sibling-comparison study,” led by researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, says that moderate use of cannabis during adolescence has negative effects on cognitive function. The study analyzed siblings, one using cannabis and one not, to rule out any familial factors. Past studies have not been able to do so. This new study helps us better understand what long-term challenges teens might face in their development.
Goals
Lead author, Jarrod M. Ellingson, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the CU School of Medicine, says the team conducted the study to better understand if there was a link between early cannabis use and lower cognitive functioning. Researchers compared siblings to account for factors like…
Peer pressure
Parenting styles
Socioeconomic status
…which allowed researchers to better determine whether these were the cause of lower cognitive functioning or if the use of cannabis was to blame. With many teens and parents assuming that cannabis does not have long-term effects on development, it’s important to understand the full picture.
To read the full article, please click here.
Comments