According to recent reports, marijuana use has more than doubled in the past decade. Although it is often portrayed as harmless, and sometimes even therapeutic, marijuana causes significant brain changes by slowing activity in the frontal and temporal lobes, areas of the brain involved with focus, concentration, motivation, memory, learning, and mood stability.
Some argue that marijuana is not addictive, but as this study demonstrates, it is a drug like any other. Anything that makes a person feel good—be it food, drugs, alcohol, exercise, gambling, or sex—causes a rewiring of the pleasure centers in the brain and intensifies cravings for it.
When it comes to addiction, you need to think about your children’s future as much as your own since it comes with a generational toll. New evidence suggests that teenagers who smoke marijuana may be affecting themselves and their future children. Another study shows that offspring of parents who were addicted to drugs or alcohol are twice as likely to be depressed in adulthood as compared to their peers whose parents were not addicted. The question is, how can you intervene and stop the negative effects of not only addiction but also depression, which so often leads to addiction?
Most young adults start developing personal and life goals, such as going to college or pursuing a particular career, by age 14. That’s why it’s important to encourage kids to begin thinking about how their brain health will affect their life and ability to accomplish those goals. Here are three recommendations for parents and their children who are ready to break the cycle of addiction and start reversing the damage that’s been done:
Accept Hope
The Future Generations , which have collectively performed over 125,000 scans on individuals from 111 countries over the past 36 years, have treated many patients with addiction, depression, and other psychiatric conditions. We have seen recovery, repair, and re-engagement with life in patients who had almost given up on the possibility of getting better. The brain is complicated and delicate, but it is also resilient beyond explanation. When you accept that there is hope, taking action is the natural next step.
Find Support
It is difficult for most people to change. Studies have shown that those who surround themselves with a support group are far more likely to have success when implementing major changes. The act of reaching out to others for support can initiate the process of healing.
Get an Assessment of Your Brain
How can you change your brain if you don’t know anything about it? By using brain SPECT imaging, we can better understand the inner workings of your brain and how to effectively help you recover. Our Full Evaluation includes a detailed history, cognitive testing, two brain SPECT scans (concentrating and resting states) and a doctor’s evaluation that will detail your diagnosis and treatment plan.
At Amen Clinics, we can help you and your loved ones overcome the stigma and suffering associated with addictions and other emotional and cognitive issues. If you are ready to regain control of your life, give us a call at 1-888-288-9834 .
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