Tiivistelmä

Kannabis on yleisin nuorten käyttämä laiton päihde.

Nuoruus on herkkää aikaa kannabiksen haitoille, sillä keskushermosto kypsyy silloin laaja-alaisesti. Käyttö voi myöhemmin altistaa mielenterveysongelmille ja päihdehäiriölle.

Kannabista käyttävien nuorten ja nuorten aikuisten psyykkistä vointia on syytä arvioida rutiinisti, etenkin jos suvussa esiintyy vakavia mielenterveyden häiriöitä.

Abstract

Cannabis use is the most common form of illicit adolescent substance use. Adolescence is a vulnerable neurodevelopmental period, during which many brain maturation processes take place. Substance use during this critical period may disrupt these processes. Adolescent cannabis use has been associated with dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system which in turn could disrupt the normal maturation of neural networks. Chronic and adolescent onset cannabis use has been associated with mental health problems such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders and amotivation and increases the likelihood for subsequent substance use disorders. However, some adolescents engaging in heavy cannabis use early might be marginalized and socially disadvantaged and come from families with substance use problems. Thus, implementation of effective prevention strategies is needed for both adolescent cannabis use and marginalization.