Research has shown that cannabis use by young teenagers can lower their intelligence and may cause permanent mental impairment.
Researchers from Britain and the US found that persistent and dependent use of cannabis before the age of 18 may have a so-called neurotoxic effect, but heavy use after 18 appears to be less damaging to the brain.
The most persistent users suffer an average eight-point decline in IQ between adolescence and adulthood, according to the study of more than 1,000 participants.
Scientists believe smoking cannabis from the age of puberty may disrupt developing and vulnerable brain circuits.
The study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that users experienced significantly more attention and memory problems than non-users.
Quitting or cutting down on cannabis use later in life did not fully reverse the impact on those who started taking the drug in their early teens.
Source: rte.ie, 28/08/2012
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
