Changes in Cannabis Use Among Young People
Purpose of review The aim of this review was to examine current trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) among youth, and to investigate recent findings concerning the relationship between cannabis use and mental health concerns, with a focus on how use during adolescence may interact with related mental health disorders.
Recent findings Current data indicate that cannabis use among adolescents has shown both marginal increases and decreases, depending on global location; however, the profile of cannabinoids in cannabis may now be biased toward those that promote psychotogenic and memory-impairing effects. CUD has been found most prevalent among youth. After controlling for multiple confounders, longitudinal research suggests that cannabis use predicts the development of anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideation, certain personality disorders, and interpersonal violence. Further, associations have been found stronger in adolescents relative to adults, and younger age of initiation increases the risk of developing mental health disorders.
Summary Cannabis use among youth remains prevalent, and recent studies are consolidating previous findings that adolescents are especially vulnerable to mental health disorders associated with cannabis. This suggests that cannabis involvement requires increased prominence in research, prevention initiatives, routine screening, and interventions to improve adolescent mental health.
Adolescence and young adulthood are pivotal points in physical and psychosocial development, and herald the rise of behaviours that are determinants of health and may increase the risk of health problems throughout the life course. In this period, mortality rises due to preventable causes and risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco and other drug use that can lead to, or exacerbate, chronic non-communicable disease states and the precipitation of mental health disorders. Internationally, the health of adolescents has improved much less markedly than that of younger children. The leading cause of death in this age group is injury and the majority are avoidable. Incident disability increases with age throughout adolescence, with the contribution of mental disorders rising sharply across this period and making up the largest contributor to the burden of diseases in those aged 10–24 years.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Purpose of review The aim of this review was to examine current trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) among youth, and to investigate recent findings concerning the relationship between cannabis use and mental health concerns, with a focus on how use during adolescence may interact with related mental health disorders.
Recent findings Current data indicate that cannabis use among adolescents has shown both marginal increases and decreases, depending on global location; however, the profile of cannabinoids in cannabis may now be biased toward those that promote psychotogenic and memory-impairing effects. CUD has been found most prevalent among youth. After controlling for multiple confounders, longitudinal research suggests that cannabis use predicts the development of anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideation, certain personality disorders, and interpersonal violence. Further, associations have been found stronger in adolescents relative to adults, and younger age of initiation increases the risk of developing mental health disorders.
Summary Cannabis use among youth remains prevalent, and recent studies are consolidating previous findings that adolescents are especially vulnerable to mental health disorders associated with cannabis. This suggests that cannabis involvement requires increased prominence in research, prevention initiatives, routine screening, and interventions to improve adolescent mental health.
Introduction
Adolescence and young adulthood are pivotal points in physical and psychosocial development, and herald the rise of behaviours that are determinants of health and may increase the risk of health problems throughout the life course. In this period, mortality rises due to preventable causes and risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco and other drug use that can lead to, or exacerbate, chronic non-communicable disease states and the precipitation of mental health disorders. Internationally, the health of adolescents has improved much less markedly than that of younger children. The leading cause of death in this age group is injury and the majority are avoidable. Incident disability increases with age throughout adolescence, with the contribution of mental disorders rising sharply across this period and making up the largest contributor to the burden of diseases in those aged 10–24 years.
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