Using cannabis just once a week harms young brains: Study shows emotions and motivation affected

Using cannabis just once a week harms young brains: Study shows emotions and motivation affected Using drug once or twice a week affects core structures of the brain Affects brain regions involved in emotion and motivation, research shows Scientists analysed MRI brain scans of 20 users aged 18 to 25 First study to show impact of casual marijuana use on the brain Smoking cannabis casually just one or two times a week can damage core structures of the brain, a study found Smoking cannabis even casually can damage core structures of the brain, an authoritative study has found. Professor Hans Breiter, one of the researchers from Northwestern University said: ‘This study raises a strong challenge to the idea that casual marijuana use is not associated with bad consequences.’ The scientists found major differences in two brain areas, the nucleus accumbens and amygdala. The study was the first to look solely at those using cannabis irregularly ‘We think when people are in the process of becoming addicted, their brains form these new connections.’ Drug addiction expert Dr Carl Lupica, from the United State National Institute on Drug Abuse, added: ‘This study suggests that even light to moderate recreational marijuana use can cause changes in brain anatomy. ‘This new, well-conducted study has some really interesting and important results because it suggests that even moderate use of cannabis in young adults may be associated with changes in the brain.’ He said the study would inform separate scientific research that looks at the links between mental illness and cannabis use.