6301 wk 9 assgn

Effects of Marijuana use in Adolescents

Adolescents form a critical component of the human population. They are the most active and vigorously growing category of people. This population encounters numerous problems as they grow and thus the need for a social worker in their lives. The problem of adolescence and substance use is something that is affecting the society in a number of ways. The use of marijuana in adolescents comes with a continuum of effects that affect both their physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development (Froll et al., 2021). Social workers as agents of behavior change have a role to play in combating marijuana use in adolescents through counseling, campaigns, and education of the population.

Statement of the Problem

Effects of marijuana use in adolescents. Children aged 12 to 18 years.

Terms related to problem.

Substance use, marijuana, effects, young adults, high-school students, college freshman.

Synonyms

Substance use, marijuana, effects, young adults, high-school students, and college freshman.

Advanced search terms.

Adolescents and drug use, cannabis use in youth, marijuana use in high-school students.

Sources used and how they relate to the topic.

The first source selected for use in this task was a peer reviewed journal article by Dhein (2020). The article explores the effects associated cannabis use in adolescents and adult brain. According to the article, cannabis affects brain growth in adolescents which later affects adult brain performance by altering the production of neuronal growth factors which play a critical role in the formation of synapses. Growth factors play an essential role in influencing the neuron conversion processes, especially during puberty. Other than interfering with the neural processes, cannabis use in adolescents affect the structural formation of the brain as it interferes with the development of grey matter. This article relates to the study because it covers the topic by identifying how cannabis affects brain development of adolescents and adults. Interference with brain development is one of the effects that the study will explore.

The second article considered for the study was an article by Gobbi et al.(2019). The article relates to the study because it reveals the link between cannabis use and other psychological effects that include suicidal ideation, anxiety, and the risk of depression. Gobbi et al. (2019) used a systematic review and meta-analysis approach in their study. The results of their study revealed that there was increased risk of suicidal behavior and depression in adolescents who used cannabis.

The third article considered for the study was a peer reviewed article by Froll et al. (2021). This article relates to the study because it equally explores the effects of marijuana use in adolescents. Froll et al. (2021) in their article convey that cannabis use in adolescents causes neurocognitive changes which include interfering with cognitive flexibility, altering social behavior and emotional responsiveness, and altering the speed of information processing.

References

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