Latest news with #JoshuaGowin
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Teen cannabis use increased after legalization in Canada, study finds
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Dial or text 988 or visit for free and confidential support. Legalization of cannabis products may be linked to growing use among teens, a new study found. Teen use of cannabis rose 26% in Canadian provinces that legalized the sale of edibles and extracts in October 2019, according to the study, which published Friday in the journal JAMA Network Open. Edible use increased 43%, raising concerns about youth-friendly forms of the drug, such as cannabis chocolates, candies, sodas and desserts — the same products responsible for a growing number of child hospitalizations in the US. Based on surveys of more than 106,000 students aged 12 to 17 years old, the study found use remained stable in Quebec, where the sale of these products was still banned. Canada legalized dried cannabis use in October 2018, and all Canadian provinces except Quebec followed a year later by legalizing the sale of cannabis edibles and extracts. While Canada's 2018 law prohibits the sale of cannabis to individuals under 18, the study suggests legalization could have made these products more accessible to teens and influenced their attitudes surrounding use. Canadian laws require child-resistant, plain and clearly labeled packaging for cannabis edibles, but illicit products sold online and by unauthorized distributors often look like other snacks, according to the study. 'This finding is important in light of previous literature regarding potential long-term adverse health effects of cannabis use for adolescents,' said senior author Dr. Hai Nguyen, a professor in the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University of Newfoundland, in an email. Teens using cannabis products regularly are at a greater risk for developing dependency disorders later in life, according to neuroscientist Joshua Gowin, who was not involved in the study. 'Some (studies) suggest that cannabis use during adolescence, especially heavy use, could alter brain development,' said Gowin, an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 'If you start using earlier, it may be harder to change that trajectory later on.' Cannabis use can affect parts of the brain that deal with attention, coordination, learning, decision-making and emotional regulation, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use at an early age has been linked to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and a heightened risk of developing longer-lasting mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, in adulthood. Despite these risks, the study found the students perceived less harm from occasional cannabis use because of its legalization. Using both cannabis and alcohol at the same time, which studies show can lead to higher and more frequent consumption of both, was 28% more prevalent after legalization as well. When it comes to social attitudes around drug use, causality is often complicated to prove, because laws can change in response to cultural changes as well, Gowin said. For this reason, other research methods beyond surveys can play an important role in understanding the effects of legalization for future policymaking decisions. In the US, the relationship between adolescent use and legalization may be even more complex to study because of variations in state and local regulations, Gowin said. Federally, cannabis is illegal, but 47 states have legalized it for medical uses and 24 states for adult recreational purposes. Each state has its own laws about marketing, packaging and distribution of these products. Nguyen also noted his research only addresses short-term effects based on one point in time after legalization, so it's important to continuously study how use patterns evolve and reflect changes in the laws. In the meantime, Nguyen recommended policymakers focus on striking the right balance between adult access and teen protection. Further enforcement may be needed to crack down on marketing and packaging that appeals to younger people, he noted, and local regulators can ensure cannabis distributors are located an appropriate distance away from schools. 'It is also essential to invest in public education campaigns that raise awareness about the risks of cannabis use among adolescents,' Nguyen said, adding that multimedia public health campaigns, school-based awareness efforts and parent-child communication are all important prevention strategies. Parent-youth communication guides can help families have more informed conversations at home and navigate common misconceptions about edible use, Nguyen said. 'It's not about scaring people,' Gowin said. 'Honesty and truth can be at the forefront of the conversations and hopefully people can make up their own minds about what's the best thing for them, their families and their communities.'
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heavy cannabis use could pose this threat to the brain
As cannabis is legalized in more states across the country, new research points to the negative side effects of partaking too much. Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus looked into the impact of recent and lifetime cannabis use on brain function during cognitive tasks. The study, published in the journal JAMA Open Network, is the "largest of its kind," according to the university, using brain imaging technology to examine the effects of cannabis use on 1,000 young adults from 22 to 36 years old. Daily Marijuana Smokers Face Higher Risk Of Heart Attack, Stroke, Says American Heart Association Study The cannabis users were tested on their "working memory," which is the ability to retain and use information to perform tasks, like solving a math problem. Neural response was measured through seven cognitive tests – probing working memory, reward, emotion, language and motor skills – such as "tapping a finger to map brain control, relational assessment and theory of mind." Read On The Fox News App The results showed that 63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users demonstrated reduced brain activity while completing a working memory task. Meanwhile, 68% of recent cannabis users exhibited a similar impact. Older Americans Turn To Marijuana For Better Sleep And Pain Relief: Here's What To Know The researchers concluded that cannabis had a "statistically significant effect" on brain function during working memory tasks, but was less significant in other tasks. There was reduced brain activity in areas involved in important cognitive functions like decision-making, memory, attention and emotional processing. Lead study author Joshua Gowin, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, stressed the importance of studying the effects of cannabis on health as it continues to "grow globally." "By doing so, we can provide a well-rounded understanding of both the benefits and risks of cannabis use, empowering people to make informed decisions and fully comprehend the potential consequences," he said in a press release. Marijuana Use Linked To Increased Asthma Risk In Youth, Study Says: 'Worrisome' Health Implications Refraining from cannabis use before a cognitive task could help improve performance, according to Gowin and his team. "People need to be aware of their relationship with cannabis, since abstaining cold turkey could disrupt their cognition as well," Gowin said. "For example, heavy users may need to be more cautious." "There are a lot of questions … regarding how cannabis impacts the brain," he went on. "Large, long-term studies are needed to understand whether cannabis use directly changes brain function, how long these effects last and the impact on different age groups." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Saphier, MD, pointed out that the overall study sample size is large, but that only about 8% of participants were reported as "heavy" users. "While the study appears to be designed well … I'd like to see a larger sample size of heavy users compared to either moderate or non-users to draw any definitive data," the doctor, who was not involved in the study, shared with Fox News Digital. For more Health articles, visit Saphier, founder of Coaxial Neurosurgical Specialists in New Jersey, noted that he is "not surprised" by the study findings. "Heavy use of cannabis over one's lifetime may ultimately lead to decreased cognitive/memory tasks," he confirmed. "This also supports a relatively common and well-articulated lifestyle mantra of 'everything in moderation,' with the obvious exceptions of in-arguably deleterious activities/lifestyle choices." The neurosurgeon added that he looks forward to a "more well-rounded and higher enrollment study of heavy and moderate users, so I can offer more definitive data to my own patients."Original article source: Heavy cannabis use could pose this threat to the brain
Daily News Egypt
28-01-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Study on cannabis, brain function reveals impact on working memory
A groundbreaking new study published Tuesday in JAMA Network Open explores the effects of both recent and lifetime cannabis use on brain function, specifically during cognitive tasks that assess working memory. This study is the largest of its kind, involving over 1,000 young adults aged 22 to 36 and utilizing advanced brain imaging technology. The researchers discovered that 63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users showed reduced brain activity during a working memory task, while 68% of recent users exhibited a similar decline. Working memory—the ability to retain and manipulate information—is crucial for tasks like following instructions or solving problems, such as doing mental math. 'This study underscores the growing need to understand the effects of cannabis use on cognitive health as its use becomes more widespread globally,' said Joshua Gowin, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the study's first author. 'By studying these effects, we aim to provide a well-rounded understanding of both the benefits and risks of cannabis use, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.' The study classified cannabis users into three groups: heavy users (those who've consumed cannabis more than 1,000 times in their lifetime), moderate users (10 to 999 times), and non-users (fewer than 10 times). Participants underwent brain imaging (MRI) and completed seven cognitive tasks assessing working memory, reward, emotion, language, motor skills, relational assessment, and theory of mind. The results revealed that cannabis use had a statistically significant effect on brain function during working memory tasks, meaning the findings were highly unlikely to be due to chance. The other cognitive tasks showed some potential effects, but these were not statistically significant. 'We took great care in ensuring the robustness of our findings,' Gowin noted. 'By applying the highest standards and rigorous statistical corrections, we minimized the risk of false positives. The working memory task stood out as the only one showing a clear and statistically significant effect from cannabis use.' The study found that heavy cannabis use appeared to reduce brain activity in specific regions associated with crucial cognitive functions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and anterior insula. These areas are involved in decision-making, memory, attention, and emotional processing. Gowin also pointed out that the research suggests abstaining from cannabis before engaging in cognitive tasks could help improve performance. 'People need to assess their relationship with cannabis carefully,' he said. 'While sudden cessation could disrupt cognition, especially for heavy users, taking breaks from cannabis may benefit cognitive function.' He added: 'This study raises many important questions, and we need larger, long-term studies to understand whether cannabis use directly alters brain function, how long these effects persist, and how different age groups may be affected.' As cannabis use continues to rise, research like this provides valuable insights into its potential cognitive effects and highlights the importance of ongoing studies to inform public health and decision-making.
