Cannabis use among teens not linked to lower IQs

According to popular belief, cannabis makes people stupid and kills brain cells, especially in teenagers. However, a new study refutes this belief. The journal Addiction published online a study explaining that cannabis use among adolescents is not directly linked to adverse changes in IQ.

What does the study say?

To conduct this study, the researchers examined 1,989 twins born in the United Kingdom. To ensure a comprehensive study, the researchers tested and recorded their IQs at ages 5, 12, and 18.

The results reveal some interesting findings. For example, participants who used cannabis during adolescence had lower IQs than those who did not. However, these participants had IQs below the age-expected levels at ages 5 and 12. Among twins where one smoked more frequently than the other, both twins scored similarly on most assessments.

The researchers reached the following conclusion: «Short-term cannabis use during adolescence does not appear to lead to a decrease in IQ or impaired brain function, even when cannabis use reaches the level of dependence.».

Likewise, a 2016 study The study focused on 2,236 adolescents who were given a series of tests to complete. The goal was to assess their intelligence and academic abilities. The study found that adolescents who had smoked cannabis at least 50 times did not show significant differences compared to adolescents who had never smoked a joint in their lives.

Even if the Cannabis is not responsible for the drop in IQ When it comes to teenagers, this doesn't mean that a 15-year-old should spend all day rolling joints. It's important to remember that cannabis use remains dangerous and poses risks to adolescents This is because THC has been shown to hinder the development of certain areas of the brain, and the brain’s electrical signaling pathways are not fully formed until around age 25. Moderate consumption—at most—is therefore still the rule.

Mehdi Bautier