# Teens Using Weed Have Doubled Risk For Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/teen-cannabis-use-bipolar-disorder-risk/ > **Published:** 2026-02-23T13:03:20-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:14:35-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** New research links teen cannabis use and bipolar disorder risk, highlighting mental health concerns and brain development vulnerabilities. --- Why This MattersNew research is sounding the alarm on teen [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) and [mental health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-psychiatric-research-findings-depression-anxiety/) risk.Here’s what you need to know:Study tracked teens through age 26Results showed doubled risk for psychosis and [bipolar disorder](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-induced-appetite-satiety-bypass-thc-brain/) in teen users⚠️ The developing brain is uniquely vulnerable to THC exposure?‍⚕️ This is why [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) physicians distinguish between adult therapeutic use and adolescent recreational use?️ Age-appropriate care mattersAs a physician who has treated over 400,000 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.#CannabisMedicine #TeenHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #THC #BrainDevelopment #Psychosis #CannabisResearch #CEDClinic #DrBenCaplan Clinical Summary New research links teen [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) to doubled psychosis and bipolar risk by age 26. The developing brain deserves different rules than the adult brain. #CannabisMedicine #MentalHealth #Adolescents Dr. Caplan’s Take“#CannabisMedicine #MentalHealth #TeenHealth #Psychosis #BipolarDisorder #THC #BrainDevelopment #CannabisResearch #AdolescentHealth #CEDClinic” Clinical Perspective New research shows teens who use cannabis have a doubled risk of developing psychosis or [bipolar disorder](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-induced-appetite-satiety-bypass-thc-brain/) by their mid-twenties. As a [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) physician, I think this is an important finding that every parent and young person should understand. Cannabis has real therapeutic value for adults, but the developing teenage brain plays by different rules, and we owe it to our kids to be honest about that. Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just+read+this+on+CEDclinic.com%3A+Teens+Using+%3Cb%3EWeed%3C%2Fb%3E+Have+Doubled+Risk+For+Psychosis%2C+Bipolar+Disorder+%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fnews%2Fhealth-news%2Farticles%2F2026-02-23%2Fteens-using-weed-have-doubled-risk-for-psychosis-bipolar-disorder) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fnews%2Fhealth-news%2Farticles%2F2026-02-23%2Fteens-using-weed-have-doubled-risk-for-psychosis-bipolar-disorder) [🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just+read+this%3A+Teens+Using+%3Cb%3EWeed%3C%2Fb%3E+Have+Doubled+Risk+For+Psychosis%2C+Bipolar+Disorder+%E2%80%94+via+%40drcaplan.bsky.social+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnews.com%2Fnews%2Fhealth-news%2Farticles%2F2026-02-23%2Fteens-using-weed-have-doubled-risk-for-psychosis-bipolar-disorder) [📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/) [📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved) [🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) For readers who would like a deeper examination of the study’s methodology, statistical framing, and the distinction between association and causation, Dr Caplan has published a detailed clinical review of the original JAMA Health Forum paper here: [Adolescent Cannabis Use and Psychosis Risk – Study Review](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/). Related Articles - [Teenage Cannabis Users Twice as Likely as Non-Users to Develop Psychosis](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) 📰 Source: [https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-02-23/teens-using-weed-have-doubled-risk-for-psychosis-bipolar-disorder](https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2026-02-23/teens-using-weed-have-doubled-risk-for-psychosis-bipolar-disorder) Further Reading CED Clinic Blog[Why Cannabis Works](https://cedclinic.com/why-cannabis-works/) Evidence Watch[Cannabis and Heart Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-study/) CED Clinic Blog[Cannabis for Sleep](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-for-sleep/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Teenage Cannabis Users Twice as Likely as Non-Users to Develop Psychosis](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) Explore research showing increased [psychosis risk](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) among teenage cannabis users compared to non-users. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) [Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Reported Cannabis Use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) A detailed study revealing the psychiatric risks associated with cannabis use in adolescents. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) [Teens Who Use Cannabis Face Higher Risk Of Mental Disorders, Study Finds – Forbes](https://cedclinic.com/teen-cannabis-use-mental-health-risks-study/) Forbes coverage on the increased mental disorder risks linked to teen cannabis consumption. [Discover Insights](https://cedclinic.com/teen-cannabis-use-mental-health-risks-study/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).