Cannabis and the Learning Brain

How does cannabis (marijuana) affect the developing brain, learning, and academic performance? Research tells us that the brain continues to develop through the teenage years into the mid-20s, and during this time the brain is especially sensitive to the effects of drugs like cannabis. This article will give an overview of the research on the short- and long-term effects of cannabis on thinking, learning, and academic success. We will also provide a window into brain imaging research, which allows researchers to see what is happening in the brain over time when youth use cannabis. We hope to leave you with more answers than questions, but will finish by highlighting some of the unanswered questions about the potential negative effects of cannabis use in youth.