As of: February 12, 2024, 10:56 a.m
By: Andreas Beez
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Against the background of the debate about the release of cannabis, a brain researcher warns of the dangers.
Young people in particular are at risk of massive brain damage.
If the federal government's plans go according to their plans, adults should soon be able to buy cannabis legally.
But this legislative initiative is causing worry lines for many parents.
They fear that their underage children's inhibitions will be lowered if adults are allowed to smoke weed.
This emerges from a forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance company KKH.
Cannabis survey: Parents fear massive health risks for their children
The younger the consumers are, the higher the risk of all of these effects.
Brain researcher Professor Martin Korte from the TU Braunschweig on the health damage caused by smoking weed
Parents are particularly concerned about health consequences.
The clear majority thinks that frequent use of cannabis in children and young people has negative physical and psychological effects: almost three quarters of parents (73 percent) fear brain damage or other problems such as drowsiness.
Almost as many (70 percent) believe that this leads to psychological problems such as mood swings or anxiety.
A good two thirds of the parents surveyed (69 percent) think that frequent use of cannabis makes children and young people addicted.
64 percent fear a drop in performance at school as a result, and 55 percent think that minors could get on the wrong track.
Parents fear the effects that cannabis use could have on their adolescents and are probably not entirely wrong.
© xpressmasterx/Imago
Health insurance company KKH: More and more young smokers and stoners
Parents' concerns about addiction do not appear to be unfounded.
KKH data already shows a strong increase in the harmful use of cannabis among young people.
In the 15 to 24 year old age group, diagnoses of acute intoxication, dependence, withdrawal symptoms or psychological problems due to cannabinoids increased one and a half times from 2012 to 2022.
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Brain researcher Professor Martin Korte: Smoking weed affects the ability to plan and control impulses
Brain researcher Prof. Martin Korte © Helmholz Center for Infection Research (HZI)
Brain researcher Prof. Martin Corte from the TU Braunschweig explains how dangerous cannabis can be for children and young people: “Cannabinoids have a particular effect on the frontal lobe, an important part of our frontal brain.
This region of the brain gives us the ability to plan actions, solve problems and control impulses.
If young people smoke weed regularly, they risk a reduction in these abilities, they react more impulsively and have difficulty concentrating.
Overall, mental performance declines.” According to KKH, frequent smoking of weed can also activate regions in the brain that trigger hallucinations and lead to psychotic symptoms.
The younger the consumers are, the higher the risk of all of these effects.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.