If you’ve just found out that your teenager is using marijuana, you may be scared and disappointed, searching for the next best steps to help get them on track. But before more panic sets in, just know that using cannabis doesn’t have to lead to heavier substance use or detrimental problems. It’s not the end of the world, but if left unchecked, it can shape how your child builds theirs.
Keep reading to learn what cannabis is, how it affects the brain and body, why your child should avoid it in adolescence, and steps your family can take to get help if you’re near Bayard or Des Moines.
What Is Cannabis?
A quick search with WebMD will tell you that Cannabis sativa is the scientific name for marijuana, an herbal drug that goes by many names—some logical, some comical—weed, Mary Jane, reefer, green, bud, flower, pot, dope, grass, hash, herb, ganja. The list can go on and on depending on where you live.
A Brief History of Cannabis
Today, it’s mostly used recreationally, but its medicinal properties date back almost 12,000 years — and millions of people in the United States use cannabis to manage pain related to multiple sclerosis (MS), nerve pain, nausea, migraines, vomiting, low appetite, and plenty more conditions. Although cannabis research still isn’t 100% there to make strong claims about its efficacy for any one illness.
Today, we know that cannabis is more powerful than ever before, with CNN reporting the concentration of its main psychoactive component (THC) reaching up to 80%, making it almost 20 times more potent than cannabis 70s.
And, of course, the more potent the substance, the higher the risk of developing a harmful dependence, even in as little as 1-2 weeks of use. But despite how long you’ve been consuming cannabis, whether by ingesting edible THC products, vaping, or directly smoking it, you run the risk of becoming dependent on its effects:
- Intense hunger (often called “the munchies”), which may lead to overeating and potential weight gain
- Feeling euphoric, happy, or giggly
- Feeling sleepier and more relaxed
But cannabis can also set off a slew of unpleasant side effects, like:
- Dry mouth
- Feeling dizzy or confused
- Faster heart rate
- Anxiety, paranoia, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, and panic attacks
- Poor memory and focus
- Slower reaction time, making driving or operating a vehicle unsafe
Less commonly, cannabis can also trigger temporary symptoms of psychosis or full-blown acute psychosis. With heavy use, it can also lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that causes severe vomiting that can last hours or even days. But all of this information applies to adults with fully developed brains.
What Does It Mean For Teens?
Cannabis and the Adolescent Brain: Risks and Prevention
One of Columbia University’s brightest minds, Ryan Sultán, conducted a study of adolescents and cannabis. The research showed that even using cannabis as little as once a month was connected to worse performance at school and emotional distress. Sultán realizes that just a few instances of smoking weed could push teens to miss school, lose interest in planning their future, and complicate their ability to focus.
Sultán also saw that even smoking just a few times could cause:
- Social or emotional withdrawal
- Worse moods
- Developmental complications related to learning, emotional regulation, and self-control
If you ask Sultán and his collaborators what the biggest risk is when it comes to adolescent cannabis consumption, they may say something like: “Using cannabis, even casually, during these critical growth periods…can derail normal development.” So how can you protect your child’s development if you’ve just learned that they’re using cannabis?
Talking With Your Teen About Cannabis
If you’re a parent or caregiver who worries about your teenager’s cannabis use, Sultán recommends one simple thing: having honest, open, nonjudgmental conversations as early and often as possible. During these chats, try to remain calm and open-minded. After all, even though cutting it out can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like headaches or trouble sleeping, cannabis isn’t exactly the hardest substance to quit.
Here are points you can hit on to help get the conversation started:
- The legality of cannabis use: Recreational consumption is illegal in Iowa, and it can lead to serious legal issues if law enforcement catches your child with it.
- Natural vs. safe: Your child may confuse natural products or herbal remedies with safe or ‘organic’ products. This is not the case with cannabis, which can contain harmful drugs and substances, pesticides, or other chemicals if sold on the street.
- Anxiety: If your teen struggles with anxiety, cannabis may actually make it worse.
- Interactions with prescription drugs and substances: When mixed with sedatives, medications for blood clots, Warfarin, antipsychotics, anesthesia, and alcohol, cannabis can trigger serious reactions.
- Lowered defenses: Cannabis can feel good, but it can also alter your teen’s perception of reality, making it harder for them to make good decisions that protect themselves and the people around them.
Navigate Cannabis Conversations With St. Gregory Recovery Center
If you’re concerned about your adolescent child and their cannabis use, our care teams in Des Moines and Bayard, IA, can help them quit smoking. Contact us today to receive support.
