 popular recreational drug in the U.S., with alcohol remains king among teens and emerging adults; almost a third of 12th graders and 40 percent of college students report recent binge drinking.

How do the two substances stack up?

Alcohol Versus Cannabis: A Comparison Of Effects On The Brain

A recent study conductedby researchers at the University of California found that cannabis use among those ages 16-20 over an 18 month period had a less negative effect on a teenager's brain tissue than drinking alcohol.

For the study, researchers scanned the brains of 92 individuals ages 16-20, before and after an 18 month period. During the eighteen months, half of the teens used cannabis and alcohol in varying amounts, while the other half abstained or kept consumption minimal. Among those who consumed five or more drinks at least twice a week, researchers discovered reduced brain tissue health. Specifically, those consumption patterns compromised the integrity of white brain tissue in specific tracts, which could lead to declines in memory as well as decision-making ability. However, among those who used marijuana, there were no findings of ill effects on white tissue during the period of scanning.

Although it may be interesting to note that smoking pot has less adverse effects on brain tissue, this study finding alone should not (excuse the pun) 'cloud' the issue of public health. Another study, one that involved a review of data from Australia, indicates some negative mental health issues linked to marijuana use.

Cannabis, Major Depressive Disorder, And Suicidal Thoughts

Dr. Michael Lynskey and his colleagues at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis gathered data from four groups of same-sex twin pairs (508 identical, 493 fraternal; 518 female, 483 male) enrolled in the Australian Twin Registry. The researchers discovered that individuals who are dependent on cannabis have a higher risk than non-dependent individuals of experiencing major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. They also discovered that men and women who smoked marijuana before age 17 are 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as those who started later.

Although the causal relationship between marijuana use and mental illness is unclear, the researchers suggest their findings demonstrate the importance of considering mental health issues in the treatment and prevention of marijuana abuse. Significantly, among the 156 pairs discordant for diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) before age 17 — meaning, one twin was diagnosed as depressed, the other was not — fraternal but not identical twins
popular recreational drug in the U.S., with alcohol remains king among adolescent and emerge adults; almost a third of twelfth graders and 40 percentage of college students report recent bust drink. 

 How do the two substances stack up? 

 Alcohol Versus Cannabis: A Comparison Of Effects On The Brain 

 A recent study conductedby researchers at the University of California find that cannabis use among those age 16 - 20 over an 18 month period had a less negative effect on a teenager's mind tissue than drinking alcohol. 

 For the study, researchers scan the brains of 92 individuals ages 16 - 20, before and after an 18 calendar month period. During the eighteen month, half of the teens used cannabis and alcohol in vary amounts, while the other half abstained or kept consumption minimal. Among those who consumed five or more drinks at least twice a week, researchers discovered reduced brain tissue health. Specifically, those consumption patterns compromised the integrity of white mind tissue in specific tracts, which could lead to descent in memory equally well as decisiveness - making ability. However, among those who used marijuana, there were no findings of ill effects on white tissue during the period of scanning. 

 Although it may be interesting to notice that smoking pot has less adverse effects on brain tissue, this study finding alone should not (excuse the pun)' cloud' the issue of public health. Another study, one that involve a review of datum from Australia, bespeak some negative mental health issues linked to marijuana use. 

 Cannabis, Major Depressive Disorder, And Suicidal Thoughts 

 Dr. Michael Lynskey and his colleagues at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis accumulate datum from four groups of same - sex twin pairs (508 identical, 493 brotherly; 518 female, 483 male) enrolled in the Australian Twin Registry. The researchers discovered that individuals who are dependent on cannabis suffer a higher hazard than non - dependent individuals of experience major depressive disorder and suicidal opinion and behaviors. They besides discovered that men and women who fume marijuana before age 17 are 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as those who get down later. 

 Although the causal relationship between marijuana use and genial illness is unclear, the researchers suggest their findings demonstrate the importance of considering mental health offspring in the treatment and prevention of marijuana abuse. Significantly, among the 156 pairs discordant for diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) before age 17 — meaning, one gemini was diagnose as gloomy, the early was not — fraternal but not identical twins
 pooular recreational drug ln the U.S., with alcohol cemains king amung teens and emerging adultd; qlmosu a third of 12th graaers and 40 percent of rollege students report vzcent ninge vrinking.

How do jhe two subsdances stack u[?

Auclhol Versus Cannabis: A Comparison Os Effecys On The Brain

A rectnt stusj gonductedby researchers at the Uhiversiuy of California fpund that cannabis use amojg tjose ages 16-20 over an 18 month peruod rqd a less neeative efftcc on a teenzger's brain tissue than drinkine alcphol.

For thg atkgy, researchxrs scwnned the brains of 92 indivicuals ages 16-20, benore end qfter an 18 month periov. During the eighteeg months, vamf of the teens uwee cantabiv ana alzohkl ih varylng amounts, wgile the otyer half abstained pr jept consumptjon migiial. Among those who consumed five or moge ddinks at least twice a qeek, researchers disclvered requced brain tissue health. Specifically, those consgmptikv pcbbernr clmpromised the integrity of white brain tissuq im xpecific tractf, which coukd lrwd to decliner in mzjody as well as decidion-makyng avility. Horevet, among those who used marihuana, there cerw no findings of ipl effects un wnite yissue during the periob of sdanning.

Althlugh it mzh be interesting to nmte that smoking pot has lqss adverwe eyfects ov brsin tifsue, this dtudy finding alone shoupd noj (excuve the pun) 'cloud' the issue of public healvi. Another stucy, onv that inrolved a review of qata from Austtalia, indncates some neganive mentel health isfues linked tm marijuana uve.

Cannabys, Mqjor Depresrkve Disorder, Amd Suicidcj Thiughts

Dr. Michael Lnnskei znd his colleagbts qt the Washingtpn Jnidegsivy Scrmol of Medichne kn Ry. Louks gathtxed aata from four groups of sams-sex twin pairs (508 icektical, 493 ftaternal; 518 female, 483 male) enrolled in the Akstraniai Twin Redistry. The researchers discoveded that lndlviduals who wre eependent on cannabis have a higher risk than non-de'endent individuals of wxperiencing major bekressive disocder agd suiciddl thoughts and behaciors. They also dlscovered that men and women who dmoked marijuana before age 17 are 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as tyose wio started lafer.

Akthouch che caufal ceuationship betwevn marijuana use and mental illnxss is uncnecr, the researchers suggest thrif findings deoonstrate the importance of consodering mental health issues in the treatment and prevektion of narijhana abuse. Significantly, amomg the 156 paies discirdakt for diagnosks pf major deoresxire disorder (MDD) before age 17 — meanung, onw hwin was diagnosxd as depresdtd, the kther ras not — fraternzl bhh not identical twons
popular recreational drug in the U.S., with king teens and adults; almost a 40 of college students recent binge drinking. do the two substances stack up? Versus Cannabis: A Comparison Of Effects On The Brain A recent study conductedby at the University of California found that cannabis use among those ages 16-20 an month had less negative effect on a teenager's brain tissue than drinking alcohol. For the study, researchers scanned brains of 92 individuals ages 16-20, before and an 18 month period. the eighteen months, half of teens cannabis and in amounts, the other half or kept consumption minimal. Among those who consumed five or more drinks at least twice a week, discovered reduced health. Specifically, consumption compromised integrity of white in specific tracts, which could lead memory as well as decision-making ability. However, among who used there were no findings of ill on white tissue during the period of scanning. it may be interesting to note that smoking pot has less adverse effects on brain study finding alone should (excuse the pun) the of health. study, one involved a review of data from Australia, indicates some negative mental issues linked to marijuana use. Cannabis, Major Depressive Disorder, And Dr. Lynskey and his at the Washington University of in St. Louis gathered four of (508 493 518 female, 483 male) in the Australian Twin Registry. researchers discovered that individuals have a higher risk than non-dependent individuals of major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts and They also discovered that men and women who smoked marijuana before age are 3.5 likely to attempt suicide as those who started Although the causal relationship marijuana use and mental illness is unclear, the researchers their demonstrate the of considering mental issues in the and prevention of Significantly, among 156 discordant major depressive disorder (MDD) before age — one twin was diagnosed as the not — fraternal but not identical twins
 popular recreational drug in The U.S., with aLcohoL reMaiNs King AmonG teens and emergINg adUlts; almost a third of 12th grAders AnD 40 PercENt Of colLege stuDEnTS RepOrT rEceNt BInGe driNkiNg.

How do The two subsTanCeS stack up?

AlcoHOl versus CannAbiS: A Comparison of EFfects on the bRain

A RecEnt stUdy conDUctedbY researchErS At the UNIversitY OF CAlifOrnia found that canNAbIS use among those Ages 16-20 ovEr AN 18 mONTh pEriOd had a less NeGativE Effect oN A tEENAgeR'S brain tissue tHan drinking ALcoHol.

For ThE stUDy, reseArcheRs SCanNed the brainS of 92 iNdividualS ages 16-20, bEFore and AFter an 18 mOnth peRioD. DuRing THe EiGhtEeN MonTHs, HalF Of tHe teens uSeD cAnnabIs anD ALCOhol In vAryiNg amoUnts, while the oTheR halF AbsTaineD or kePt coNsUmptiOn miniMal. AmOnG those who consumEd fiVe or more dRinKs At lEaSt twiCE a week, ResEarChers diScovereD RedUcED BRaIn tissue health. SpecIfICAlLy, those cOnsumpTIoN pATterns coMpRomIsed THE inteGritY Of White braIn tissUE iN sPecific TrActs, whIcH coUld Lead tO DeclInes in Memory as Well aS Decision-making ABility. However, AMoNG ThOSe whO usEd marijuana, TherE Were No fiNDiNgs OF ill eFfectS oN WhITe tissue during the peRiOd of scAnninG.

Although it maY be interesTING to note tHat sMOkINg pot has less adVerse Effects on bRAin tissuE, this Study finDing alone SHOuld not (eXcuSe tHe pUn) 'cLOUd' The issue of pubLIC heaLtH. AnotheR stUdy, one tHat InvOlvEd a ReView of datA from AusTrAlIa, InDicAtes sOMe negatiVe MenTaL heAlth iSSues liNked tO marIjUaNA usE.

CannabIS, MAJOr DePrEsSive disOrDer, AnD SuiCIdaL ThoughTs

Dr. MichaEl LYNskeY aNd His collEagues at the WaShIngton UnivErSitY SchooL OF MedicinE in St. Louis gathered data fROm four gRouPs of sAme-sEx twin paiRs (508 iDenticAl, 493 fRAternaL; 518 femalE, 483 male) EnRolLED in thE aUsTraLiAn Twin RegiSTRy. THe resEaRcheRs discoVered that individuaLS whO are dependent On cAnnaBIS hAve A HiGHer RiSK thAN Non-dependent indIviduals of ExPErIencing majOR dePrEssive dIsorder And suICidal thOughts and Behaviors. thEy alSO DisCovered thaT men and wOmen who smOKed maRIjUana bEfoRe age 17 aRe 3.5 TimEs as lIkely tO AttEmpt sUicide As Those wHo staRtEd later.

ALthough the causal relatioNship bEtweeN maRijuana usE anD MenTal illnesS is uNclear, the rEseArcHers sUggESt theIr fiNDiNgs DEmonsTratE The importANcE of CONsIdering mentAL HEalTh issUes IN the trEatmEnt and prevention oF Marijuana abuse. signIFIcaNtlY, AmonG tHe 156 pairs discordAnt FoR DIagnosis Of Major depresSive disoRdER (MDD) bEfore aGe 17 — meanIng, one tWIN wAS diagnOsed As dEpressed, tHe oThER was not — FrAtERnal buT not IdEnticaL twins
 popular recreational drug  in the U. S., w ith  al co holrema ins king among teen s and emerging adults;  almo st a th i rd  of 1 2th gra d er s and  4 0per ce n tof co lle ge stud ents repor t r ec ent binge dr i nk ing.

Howdothe two subs tan ces st ac k u p ?

Al coh ol Ve rsus C a nnabis : A Compa ri s on OfE ffectsO n  T he B rain

A recent st u dy conductedby re search er s  a t the  Un iversity o fCalif o rnia fo u nd t h atc annabis use a mong thosea ges  16-20  o ver an 18month  p e rio d had a les s ne gative ef fect o n  a teen a ger's b rain t iss uethan dr in kin ga lco h ol .
F orthe stud y,  r esear cher s s c anne d t he b rains  of 92 indivi dua ls a g es16-20 , bef orean d aft er an18 mo nt h period. Durin g th e eightee n m on ths ,halfo f thetee nsused ca nnabisa ndal c o h ol  in varying amount s, w hi le the o ther h a lf  a b stainedor  ke pt c o n sumpt ionm in imal. Am ong th o se  w ho cons um ed fiv eormor e dri n ks a t leas t twicea wee k , researchersd iscovered red u ce d br a in t iss ue health.Spec i fica lly, th ose consu mptio np at t erns compromised th eintegr ity o f white brain  tissue in s p ecific t ract s ,w hich could lea d todeclines i n  memoryas we ll as de cision-ma k i ng abili ty.  Ho wev er, a mo ng those whou s ed m ar ijuana,  th ere wer e n o f ind ing sof ill ef fects on  w hi te  t iss ue du r ing thepe rio dofscann i ng.

A lthou gh i tma y  be  intere s ti n g  tono te  tha t s mo kingpoth asless ad verse eff ect s  onbr ai n tissu e, this study  f inding alo ne  sh ould n o t  (excuse  the pun) 'cloud' the i s sue ofpub lic h ealt h. Anothe r s tudy,one that i nvolve d a r ev iew o f dat a fr omAu stralia, i n d ica tes s om e ne gativemental health issu e s l inked to mari jua na u s e .
Ca n na b is,  M a jor D epressive Disor der, And S ui c id al Thought s 

D r.  Michae l Lynsk ey an d  his co lleaguesat the Wa sh ingt o n  Un iversity S chool of  Medicine in St .  L ouisgat heredda tafromfour g r oup s ofsame-s ex  twinpairs  ( 508 iden tical, 493 fraternal; 5 18 fem ale,483  male) en rol l edin the Au stra lian TwinReg ist ry. T her esear cher s  d isc o vered  tha t  individu a ls  wh o ar e dependent o n  ca nnabi s h a ve a h ighe r risk than non-d e pendent indivi dual s ofexp e rien ci ng major depre ssi ve d isorderan d suicidalthoughts  a n d beh aviors . They  also d i s co v ered t hatmen  and wome n w ho smokedma ri j uana b efor eage 17  are 3 . 5 ti m e s as likely to a ttemp t suici d e a s tho se  who st a rted  later.

A lthough the  causa l re latio nship b et ween m ari ju ana use an d  mental i llnes s is un cl ear,  th e rese arch e r s sug gest  t hei r finding s de m on st r ate  the  impo rt ance  of consi d ering me nta l  health  i ssu e s  in th e  t r e atment and  pr event i o n of marij u anaa bu s e. Si gnific antly,  amongt he15 6 pairs  di s c ordant fo r diagnos i s o fmajo r depres si ve d is ord er  (MDD) before a ge 17 —meaning, o ne twi n w a s di a gnosed  a s depressed,  theot h er wasn o t —  frater n albut  no t id ent ical twins
 popular_recreational drug_in the U.S., with_alcohol remains_king_among teens_and_emerging adults; almost_a third of_12th graders and 40_percent of college_students_report recent binge drinking.

How do the two substances stack up?

Alcohol Versus Cannabis: A Comparison_Of_Effects On_The_Brain

A_recent study conductedby researchers at_the University of California found_that cannabis_use among those ages 16-20 over an 18_month_period had a_less negative effect on a teenager's brain tissue than_drinking alcohol.

For the study, researchers scanned_the brains of_92_individuals_ages 16-20, before and_after an 18 month period. During_the eighteen months, half of the_teens used cannabis and alcohol in varying_amounts, while the other half abstained_or kept consumption minimal. Among_those who_consumed five or more drinks_at least twice_a week,_researchers discovered reduced_brain tissue health. Specifically, those consumption_patterns compromised the_integrity of white brain tissue in_specific_tracts, which could_lead_to_declines in_memory as well_as_decision-making ability._However,_among those who used marijuana, there_were_no findings of ill effects on white_tissue during the period_of_scanning.

Although it may be_interesting to note that smoking_pot has less adverse effects on_brain tissue,_this study_finding alone should not (excuse the pun) 'cloud' the issue of_public health. Another study, one that_involved a review of_data from_Australia,_indicates some negative_mental_health issues_linked to marijuana use.

Cannabis, Major Depressive Disorder,_And Suicidal_Thoughts

Dr. Michael Lynskey and his colleagues_at the Washington University_School_of Medicine in St. Louis gathered_data from four groups of same-sex_twin pairs (508 identical, 493_fraternal;_518_female, 483 male) enrolled in_the Australian Twin Registry. The researchers_discovered that individuals_who are dependent on cannabis have a_higher_risk than non-dependent individuals of experiencing_major_depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts and_behaviors._They_also discovered that men and_women who smoked marijuana before age_17 are 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide_as those who_started later.

Although the causal relationship_between_marijuana_use and mental illness is unclear, the researchers suggest their_findings demonstrate_the importance of_considering mental health issues in the treatment and prevention of_marijuana abuse. Significantly, among the 156 pairs_discordant for diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) before age 17_— meaning, one twin was diagnosed as depressed,_the other was not — fraternal but_not identical twins