WHY IT MATTERS: If you are a parent, caregiver, or young adult patient, this research reinforces that cannabis therapies should be reserved for adults with clinical oversight, and that adolescent use without medical necessity carries real psychiatric risk. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Large-scale research continues to reinforce what clinicians have observed for years: adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders, depression, and anxiety later in life. The developing brain, particularly before age 25, is uniquely vulnerable to the effects of THC on endocannabinoid system signaling, and early exposure may alter neurodevelopmental trajectories in ways that increase psychiatric risk.
Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Reported Cannabis Use
New research from Kaiser Permanente highlights psychiatric risks tied to teen cannabis use. Here’s what clinicians and families need to know: The adolescent brain is still developing its endocannabinoid system, making it more vulnerable to disruption ️ Association does not equal causation, but the signal is strong enough to warrant caution ️ Adult medical cannabis under supervision is a very different scenario than unsupervised teen use Age-appropriate protocols, dosing, and monitoring are critical for any adolescent cannabis consideration Open conversations between parents, teens, and clinicians are the best harm reduction tool we have Cannabis is powerful medicine. That’s exactly why it deserves respect, especially when young brains are involved. New Kaiser study links teen cannabis use to higher psychiatric risk. The adolescent brain is not the adult brain, and our approach to cannabinoid medicine must reflect that.
Study: Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Double Psychosis Risk
This is one of the largest studies ever conducted on teen cannabis use and psychiatric outcomes, and it reinforces that age restrictions and youth prevention should be central to any legalization framework. A JAMA Health Forum study of 463,396 adolescents ages 13 to 17 found cannabis use was linked to a twofold increase in psychotic and bipolar disorder risk by age 26. The study represents one of the largest longitudinal investigations of this association, drawing on clinical health records rather than self-reported data.
Cannabis Use by Teenagers Doubles Their Risk of Developing Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders
With cannabis potency at historic highs, this study underscores that adolescent brains are uniquely vulnerable to THC exposure, and parents should understand the psychiatric risks before dismissing cannabis as harmless. Data from a JAMA Health Forum study of nearly half a million teenagers demonstrates that adolescent cannabis use doubles the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorder diagnoses by early adulthood. The association persisted across demographic subgroups and was temporally consistent, with cannabis use preceding psychiatric diagnoses by roughly two years on average.
Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Use Cannabis
If your teenager uses cannabis, this large-scale study suggests the psychiatric risks are real and significant, particularly for psychosis and bipolar disorder during a critical window of brain development. A Kaiser Permanente-led study published in JAMA Health Forum followed over 463,000 adolescents aged 13 to 17 through age 26 and found that past-year cannabis use was associated with a doubled risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders. Cannabis use preceded psychiatric diagnoses by an average of 1.7 to 2.3 years, suggesting a temporal relationship between adolescent exposure and later psychiatric illness.