# Teens Using Cannabis Face Increased Mental Health Risks > **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-mental-health-risks-study/ > **Published:** 2026-02-23T17:34:48-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:14:31-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore teen cannabis use mental health risks and the study findings highlighting psychiatric disorder risks in adolescents using cannabis. --- CED Clinical Relevance**#72 Notable Clinical InterestEmerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. Mental HealthSafetyPediatricsResearchTHC Why This MattersIf you are a parent or caregiver of a teenager, this research reinforces why [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) should only be considered for adolescents under direct physician supervision with clear medical necessity, and why recreational teen use carries real psychiatric risk. Clinical Summary [Adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) has consistently been associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in the clinical literature, and new large-scale data continues to reinforce this concern. The developing brain is particularly vulnerable to exogenous cannabinoids, and early exposure during critical neurodevelopmental windows may alter endocannabinoid signaling in ways that predispose teens to conditions like psychosis, [anxiety disorders](https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-anxiety-treatment-benefits/), and depression. This is precisely why responsible cannabis medicine physicians advocate strongly against adolescent recreational use while still recognizing the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in carefully supervised pediatric cases. Dr. Caplan’s Take“I have treated thousands of patients with cannabis medicine and I can tell you plainly that the teenage brain is not the place for unsupervised THC exposure, and studies like this are exactly why age, dose, and clinical oversight matter so much in this field.” Clinical Perspective A new large-scale study adds to the growing body of evidence that adolescent [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) is associated with elevated psychiatric risk, including psychosis, depression, and anxiety disorders. From a clinical standpoint, this aligns with what we understand about the endocannabinoid system’s role in neurodevelopment, as exogenous THC during critical brain maturation periods can dysregulate signaling pathways that govern mood, cognition, and stress response. ️ It is important to distinguish between unsupervised teen recreational use and carefully monitored medical [cannabis therapy](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/), because the two carry vastly different risk profiles. ‍️ At CED Clinic, when we do treat younger patients, it involves precise dosing, parental involvement, and ongoing psychiatric monitoring. Studies like this do not discredit cannabis medicine; they reinforce that age, intention, and clinical oversight are everything. Want the full critical read? Dr Caplan wrote a deeper review of the JAMA Health Forum paper for readers who want a more critical eye on methods, limitations, and what the data can (and cannot) prove: [Adolescent Cannabis Use and Psychosis Risk – Study Review](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/)   Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just+read+this+on+CEDclinic.com%3A+Teens+Who+Use+%3Cb%3ECannabis%3C%2Fb%3E+Face+Higher+Risk+Of+Mental+Disorders%2C+Study+Finds+-+Forbes+%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fdariosabaghi%2F2026%2F02%2F23%2Fteens-who-use-cannabis-face-higher-risk-of-mental-disorders-study-finds%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fdariosabaghi%2F2026%2F02%2F23%2Fteens-who-use-cannabis-face-higher-risk-of-mental-disorders-study-finds%2F) [🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just+read+this%3A+Teens+Who+Use+%3Cb%3ECannabis%3C%2Fb%3E+Face+Higher+Risk+Of+Mental+Disorders%2C+Study+Finds+-+Forbes+%E2%80%94+via+%40drcaplan.bsky.social+https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fdariosabaghi%2F2026%2F02%2F23%2Fteens-who-use-cannabis-face-higher-risk-of-mental-disorders-study-finds%2F) [📷 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/) Related Articles - [A huge study** finds a link between **cannabis** use in teens and psychosis later – NPR](https://cedclinic.com/large-scale-adolescent-cannabis-study-psychosis-link/) - [**Study**: Teen **Cannabis** Use Linked to Double Psychosis Risk – Ground News](https://cedclinic.com/teen-cannabis-use-doubles-psychosis-risk/) - [Kaiser **Study** Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Reported **Cannabis** Use](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.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2026/02/23/teens-who-use-cannabis-face-higher-risk-of-mental-disorders-study-finds/](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2026/02/23/teens-who-use-cannabis-face-higher-risk-of-mental-disorders-study-finds/) Further Reading Evidence Watch[Endocannabinoid System Research: Cannabinoids in Pediatric Care](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-pediatric-care-research/)Policy Watch[Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of N-Desethyl Isotonitazene and N-Piperidinyl Etonitazene in Schedule I](https://cedclinic.com/dea-temporary-placement-schedule-i-n-desethyl-isotonitazene/) [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 [A huge study finds a link between cannabis use in teens and psychosis later – WBAA](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-youth-psychosis-risk-study-insights/) This large-scale study explores the connection between teen cannabis use and later development of psychosis, providing important clinical insights. [Read the study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-youth-psychosis-risk-study-insights/) [Dr. Dan Brennan: Adolescent Cannabis Use and Rising Risk of Mental Health Disorders](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-mental-health-risk/) Dr. Dan Brennan discusses the increasing mental health risks associated with adolescent cannabis use and implications for clinical care. [Learn more](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-mental-health-risk/) [Mental health problems more likely for teen cannabis users](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-mental-health-studies/) This article reviews evidence showing higher rates of mental health problems among teens who use cannabis compared to non-users. [Explore findings](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-mental-health-studies/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), 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).