Effect of Cannabis Drinks in Teen Developing Brain?

With marijuana for sale across Canada, cannabis culture has changed. Gone are the days of picking up dime bags from your “guy.” Between an ever-evolving catalogue of strains and a booming retail market, innovative new products are conceived daily. One such product? Cannabis-infused drinks.

Delicious, discrete, and convenient, cannabis drinks are a quick and easy way to consume marijuana. This is extremely appealing to youth, as these inconspicuous drinks allow for inebriation without detection. No smoke, no smell, and easily disposable evidence.

Unfortunately, the draw of cannabis drinks comes with a downside. While they may be appropriate for adults, cannabis drinks, along with any other cannabis product, can prove detrimental to the adolescent brain

A Little Bit About Cannabis Drinks

For millennia, people have infused food and drink with cannabis. It has long been part of medicine and spirituality, both in ancient cultures and current cultures. For instance, since 1000 BC, the Hindu people of India have produced bhang, a drink made with ground cannabis. Bhang is still included as part of important festivals, like Holi, and recognized for its medical benefits.

Jump ahead several hundred decades and there are copious drinks available. From the aforementioned teas, to carbonated infusions, to a variety of juices, the options seem endless. Depending on the drink, production methods will vary, resulting in dried-leaf teas, drink mix powders, and of course the grab-and-go can of pop.

While there are some cannabis-infused drinks that strictly include CBD, teens are generally seeking THC. With marijuana for sale in Canada, each province has its own retail regulations, and while retailers work to restrict underage cannabis consumption, it does happen. That is why it’s integral to understand the potentially detrimental effects of cannabis on youth.

Isn’t Drinking It Better Than Smoking It?

Without the need to smoke, cannabis drinks seem like a much healthier option, but that isn’t necessarily true. While drinkable cannabis may diminish some health risks, any cannabis consumption can impact the developing brain.

When it comes to consuming cannabis in any form, youth make up the second largest group in Canada. Youth are considered any individual between the ages of 15–24, as this growing period is an important time for brain development, before tapering off around 25.

A major aspect of brain development in adolescence is related to neurodevelopment. This includes the building of neural pathways, increasing neurotransmitters, and laying the framework for your brain in adulthood. Numerous factors, both internal and external, can affect neural development, including illness, physical and mental trauma, and even certain medicines. Unfortunately, cannabis is also on this list.

What Does Cannabis Do to the Developing Brain?

CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system can bind with THC, the potent, psychotropic cannabinoid found in cannabis drinks. THC has the ability to increase or inhibit certain neurotransmitters, effectively influencing various functions throughout the body.

As the brain is still developing, these changes can cause a chain of structural and chemical changes, effectively altering neural pathways. Concurrently, the neurotoxic attributes of cannabis can lead to diminished cognitive function and poor emotional regulation.

Studies have found that these changes can be permanent, affecting various parts of the brain including the basal ganglia, brain stem, cerebellum, hippocampus, and neocortex, among others. These regions play many roles, the most commonly affected by THC being memory, executive function, motivation, and motor control. Cognitive speed may also slow down as a result of persistent THC use during youth.

Safety First!

While cannabis drinks might seem like a harmless alternative to smoking pot, the effect it has on the developing brain may not be worth the risk. If you are under 25 or the guardian of a young person, educate yourself on both the benefits and detriments of cannabis consumption before you buy marijuana online.