The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cannabis-use on the Developing Brain
Kelsey Nairn
BAppSocSci
Neuropsychology
12th April 2021
Table of Contents
Cannabis-use and Brain Development.......................................................................................2
, Neuropsychology....................................................................................................................3
Theoretical Perspectives....................................................................................................4
The effects of Cannabis on Brain Functioning...........................................................................5
Cannabis-use during Adolescence..........................................................................................6
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
Works Cited..............................................................................................................................12
Cannabis-use and Brain Development
Cannabis is the most actively-used psychoactive substance in the world. With each
passing day, there is an increased need for cannabis for treatment of disorders and other
related health concerns. Since the World Health Organisation published their report on the
, dangers of cannabis-use almost 20 years ago, there has been a vast amounts of research
opposing their argument on how cannabis can, in fact, have a number of positive factors in
health treatments and approaches. The legalization of cannabis-use in many parts of the world
suggests that its use is becoming more accepted in society, highlighting the importance of
creating awareness in regards to its advantages and disadvantages, especially on brain
development in the different developmental stages (Donders & Hunter, 2010).
The following essay aims to discuss the social and health consequences caused by
excessive cannabis-use, lending focus to its effects on brain-development. The essay will
also confront the areas in which cannabis-use, if regulated, can be a necessity for medical
treatment for neurological disorders people live with today.
Neuropsychology
Humans have abilities unlike any other species. We are able to read, write, engage
in sports and create and compose music. The brain makes this possible through specialized
coordination and connections of cells and neurons. These infinite neural connections allow
for humans to process complex information in a matter of seconds (Angst, 2002). This
understanding of the brains neural networks is the foundation that neuropsychology is based
upon. In addition to this understanding of the neural networks, neuropsychology aims to
study brain behaviour in order to design and formulate treatments for brain diseases (Donders
& Hunter, 2010).
In essence, Neuropsychology is the science and practice of assessing how the brain
develops and further, how it impacts behavior. In doing so, recommendations for the needed
interventions of someone struggling with a particular brain dysfunction can be discovered,
explored and assessed. Dysfunctions can include working with specific cognitive abilties as
well as emotional and psychosocial dysfunction (Zilmer, Spiers, & Culbertson, 2008).
Kelsey Nairn
BAppSocSci
Neuropsychology
12th April 2021
Table of Contents
Cannabis-use and Brain Development.......................................................................................2
, Neuropsychology....................................................................................................................3
Theoretical Perspectives....................................................................................................4
The effects of Cannabis on Brain Functioning...........................................................................5
Cannabis-use during Adolescence..........................................................................................6
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
Works Cited..............................................................................................................................12
Cannabis-use and Brain Development
Cannabis is the most actively-used psychoactive substance in the world. With each
passing day, there is an increased need for cannabis for treatment of disorders and other
related health concerns. Since the World Health Organisation published their report on the
, dangers of cannabis-use almost 20 years ago, there has been a vast amounts of research
opposing their argument on how cannabis can, in fact, have a number of positive factors in
health treatments and approaches. The legalization of cannabis-use in many parts of the world
suggests that its use is becoming more accepted in society, highlighting the importance of
creating awareness in regards to its advantages and disadvantages, especially on brain
development in the different developmental stages (Donders & Hunter, 2010).
The following essay aims to discuss the social and health consequences caused by
excessive cannabis-use, lending focus to its effects on brain-development. The essay will
also confront the areas in which cannabis-use, if regulated, can be a necessity for medical
treatment for neurological disorders people live with today.
Neuropsychology
Humans have abilities unlike any other species. We are able to read, write, engage
in sports and create and compose music. The brain makes this possible through specialized
coordination and connections of cells and neurons. These infinite neural connections allow
for humans to process complex information in a matter of seconds (Angst, 2002). This
understanding of the brains neural networks is the foundation that neuropsychology is based
upon. In addition to this understanding of the neural networks, neuropsychology aims to
study brain behaviour in order to design and formulate treatments for brain diseases (Donders
& Hunter, 2010).
In essence, Neuropsychology is the science and practice of assessing how the brain
develops and further, how it impacts behavior. In doing so, recommendations for the needed
interventions of someone struggling with a particular brain dysfunction can be discovered,
explored and assessed. Dysfunctions can include working with specific cognitive abilties as
well as emotional and psychosocial dysfunction (Zilmer, Spiers, & Culbertson, 2008).
