Impact of Early Marijuana Use on Adolescents: A Personal Reflection

I smoked weed from ages 14 to 15, very heavily almost daily, and am currently 16. Can someone give me a rough estimate of how badly my brain is messed up and how well would I recover if I quit now?

These are the concerns of a 16-year-old who recalls his past experiences with marijuana use and the impact it had. As someone who studied Physiology and Reproductive Biology at the University of California Berkeley, I have a unique perspective on the effects of marijuana on the brain and body.

Understanding the Impact of Marijuana on the Brain

Marijuana, or cannabis, is a drug that has been around for decades. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I witnessed firsthand the effects of marijuana on those around me. Medical evidence clearly indicates that smoking marijuana can make you less smart, decrease your reflexes, and significantly affect your memory. Have you ever found yourself losing your train of thought mid-sentence? This is a common experience when someone is under the influence of marijuana. The reason you forget some of these moments is that they were forgotten, not because you consciously chose to forget about them. While marijuana may enhance certain experiences, it can also impair your ability to recall details accurately.

Consider a concert experience. When you are intoxicated, you retain less of the experience compared to when you are sober. The concert could have been memorable and enjoyable, but when you return home, you might not be able to recall the setlist, the performances, or even the overall atmosphere. The same can be said for alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to memory blackouts and other cognitive impairments.

The Recovery Process

As an adult who has seen the effects of drug use firsthand, I can attest to the fact that once you stop using marijuana, the THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) leaves your system and your mind begins to recover. I recall attending a concert in the 70s with John Entwistle from The Who, a concert that was memorable for its music and some naked fans. I’m confident that those fans who were high on marijuana would not remember being naked at the concert or what songs were played. Similarly, some fans who consumed tequila before the concert, despite being adults, would not remember the performance. Seven shots of tequila would likely leave them unconscious and vomiting, missing out on the entire concert.

I saw The Amazing Blues guitarist Johnny Winter as an adult, and noticed two young adults who had consumed tequila before the show. One of them looked pale and was about to vomit, prompting them to leave for the bathroom. With the onset of alcohol-induced nausea, they missed out on the entire concert experience. This scenario highlights the common impairment of judgment and memory that alcohol and marijuana can have on users.

As a 16-year-old, you might be concerned about the long-term effects of your frequent marijuana use. While it’s true that your brain may not have fully recovered to its pre-use capacity, there is still a strong chance of recovery. As you grow older, your brain continues to develop, and the potential for recovery increases. It’s never too late to quit and start the process of healing.

Conclusion

The use of marijuana, especially during adolescence, can have both immediate and long-term effects on brain development. While you might currently feel like your cognitive abilities have been compromised, it’s important to remember that the brain’s plasticity offers hope for recovery. By quitting now, you take a significant step towards reclaiming your mental health and cognitive function. It’s not only possible to recover but also to lead a productive and fulfilling life.

Share your feedback and experiences with us. It’s always rewarding to hear from someone who acknowledges the impact of their past decisions and is willing to make positive changes for the future.