Systematic Review Finds Cannabis Exposure in Youth Linked to Mood Changes Through Permanent Cognitive Alterations
A systematic review of 19 studies found that cannabis exposure in children and adolescents was associated with effects ranging from transient mood changes to permanent cognitive and sensory processing alterations that persisted into adulthood.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Across 19 included studies, cannabis exposure in youth was linked to a spectrum of CNS effects: transient mood alterations, lasting changes in cognitive function, and permanent sensory processing changes. Most studies were animal-based. The few human studies had limitations including small samples and study design constraints.
Key Numbers
19 studies included; effects ranged from transient mood changes to permanent cognitive alterations; most studies were animal-based; few human studies had significant limitations.
How They Did This
Systematic review following 2020 PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, PMC, Medline, Cochrane, Internet Archive Scholar, and Embase-Elsevier. 19 research articles identified.
Why This Research Matters
As cannabis legalization increases youth accessibility, understanding the neurocognitive impact during the critical brain development window of adolescence is essential for policy and clinical guidance.
The Bigger Picture
The adolescent brain undergoes critical white matter development and gray matter pruning. This review consolidates evidence that cannabis exposure during this window can have lasting consequences, though the human evidence base remains thin.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Most included studies were animal-based. Human studies had small samples and design limitations. Cannot standardize across different cannabis products and exposure patterns.
Questions This Raises
- ?At what age threshold does cannabis exposure become less neurodevelopmentally risky?
- ?Which specific cognitive domains are most vulnerable to adolescent cannabis exposure?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Effects range from transient mood changes to permanent cognitive alterations
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review with appropriate methodology, but limited by predominantly animal data and few human studies with small samples.
- Study Age:
- 2024 publication
- Original Title:
- Neurocognitive Impact of Exposure to Cannabis Concentrates and Cannabinoids Including Vaping in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.
- Published In:
- Cureus, 16(1), e52362 (2024)
- Authors:
- Saavedra, Michell S, Thota, Priyanka, Peresuodei, Tariladei S, Gill, Abhishek, Orji, Chijioke, Reghefaoui, Maiss, Khan, Safeera
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05677
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis affect the developing brain?
This systematic review found evidence across 19 studies that cannabis exposure during childhood and adolescence can produce effects ranging from temporary mood changes to permanent alterations in cognitive function and sensory processing. Most evidence comes from animal studies.
Are the cognitive effects of cannabis in youth permanent?
Some appear to be. This review found evidence of both transient and permanent CNS changes from youth cannabis exposure, though the authors note that most studies are in animals and the few human studies have significant limitations.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05677APA
Saavedra, Michell S; Thota, Priyanka; Peresuodei, Tariladei S; Gill, Abhishek; Orji, Chijioke; Reghefaoui, Maiss; Khan, Safeera. (2024). Neurocognitive Impact of Exposure to Cannabis Concentrates and Cannabinoids Including Vaping in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.. Cureus, 16(1), e52362. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.52362
MLA
Saavedra, Michell S, et al. "Neurocognitive Impact of Exposure to Cannabis Concentrates and Cannabinoids Including Vaping in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.." Cureus, 2024. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.52362
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Neurocognitive Impact of Exposure to Cannabis Concentrates a..." RTHC-05677. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/saavedra-2024-neurocognitive-impact-of-exposure
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.