New research is sounding the alarm on teen cannabis use and mental health risk. Here’s what you need to know: Study tracked teens through age 26 Results showed doubled risk for psychosis and bipolar disorder in teen users ️ The developing brain is uniquely vulnerable to THC exposure ️ This is why cannabis medicine physicians distinguish between adult therapeutic use and adolescent recreational use ️ Age-appropriate care matters As a physician who has treated over 30,000 patients, I firmly believe cannabis has real medical value for adults. But that belief comes with a responsibility to be honest: the teen brain is still under construction, and we need to protect it. Talk to your kids. Talk to your doctor. Get the facts. New research links teen cannabis use to doubled psychosis and bipolar risk by age 26. The developing brain deserves different rules than the adult brain.
Study: Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Double Psychosis Risk – Ground News
New research links adolescent cannabis use to a significantly higher risk of psychosis. Here’s what you need to know: Teen cannabis use was associated with roughly 2x the risk of developing psychotic disorders Genetic predisposition and frequency of use likely play major roles ️ The adolescent brain is still developing well into the mid-20s Medical cannabis programs screen for psychiatric risk factors for exactly this reason This is not about fear — it’s about informed, age-appropriate decisions Cannabis can be powerful medicine for adults under proper guidance. But for teens, the risk-benefit equation is very different. Talk to your kids. Talk to your doctor. Knowledge is harm reduction. New study links teen cannabis use to doubled psychosis risk. This is why age, dose, and clinical oversight matter.
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.
Adolescent Cannabis Use Linked to Doubling Risk of Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders
Nearly half a million teens were tracked in this study, and the data shows cannabis use during adolescence meaningfully increases the chance of serious psychiatric diagnoses in early adulthood. A large longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA Health Forum tracked 463,396 adolescents and found that cannabis use between ages 13 and 17 was associated with approximately double the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders by age 26. Elevated risks for depression and anxiety were also observed.
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.
Teenage Cannabis Users Twice as Likely as Non-Users to Develop Psychosis
A large study found that moderate cannabis use in adults over 40 was linked to larger brain volumes and better cognitive function, though experts caution more research is needed before drawing conclusions. A landmark longitudinal study published in JAMA Health Forum followed 463,396 adolescents ages 13-17 through age 26. Past-year cannabis use during adolescence was associated with a doubled risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders, plus elevated risks for depression and anxiety.
Satiety Bypass: How Cannabis Overrides the Brain’s ‘I’m Full’ Signal
A massive study tracking over 460,000 teens found that cannabis use during adolescence doubled the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders, underscoring why age restrictions and youth prevention are critical. Neuroscience News deep-dive into the WSU/Calgary PNAS study on cannabis-induced appetite. THC activates CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus to override natural satiety signals, creating a feeling of starvation even in recently fed subjects.