Cannabis use during adolescence may disrupt the normal development of brain areas related to learning, memory, and decision-making - with potential detrimental repercussions for academic performance.
1. Educate Yourself
Informing yourself on cannabis is vitally important if you wish to understand your child's use and dispel any misperceptions they might harbor about its usage. Doing so makes talking with them about cannabis easier while encouraging two-way dialogue that is open, respectful, and honest.
One of the major concerns surrounding cannabis use among young people is its effect on brain development. Studies have demonstrated that regular cannabis consumption can impede normal development of certain brain regions involved with learning and decision-making, slowing their normal expansion.
Children who use cannabis https://westcoastbud.io/ are at greater risk for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression as well as substance use disorders; being aware of these risks is key to mitigating them.
2. Talk With Your Child
Engaging openly with your child is one of the key components to keeping them away from cannabis use. How you approach this conversation may vary depending on their personality and approach to marijuana, but experts advise using natural opportunities such as seeing them smoking or hearing others mention how many kids at school smoke marijuana as conversation openers.
Dr. Meisel suggests incorporating discussions about difficult issues into regular family conversations, so your teenager sees that you are serious and are not simply using fear tactics to coerce them into following you. This will show them that their perspective matters as much as any others'.
Discuss how cannabis is consumed, such as vaping and eating edibles. Discuss its possible risks - particularly to young people whose brains are still developing and their memory, cognition, and mental health may be negatively impacted - before touching upon legality; cannabis remains illegal in many states with possible criminal implications.
3. Set Boundaries
Children aged under 12 should never consume cannabis as it can have adverse effects on the development of their frontal lobes. Parents are strongly advised to promote alternative activities and set appropriate boundaries; setting personal limits while being an example to your children. Furthermore, setting personal guidelines around cannabis consumption will prevent any exposure they might come into contact with from parents who consume in front of their kids.
Dr. Farahmand highlighted the importance of staying informed on how marijuana is being marketed, especially as many options available may not be easily identifiable to teenagers and may allow users to smoke or vape without detection. She advised parents to remain knowledgeable on how cannabis is being utilized within their community or state and ask open-ended questions to stay up-to-date.
Dr. Meisel noted the importance of framing rules and consequences in positive terms instead of punitive ones, noting it's key for parents to view conversations surrounding drug abuse as marathon rather than sprint efforts; drug addiction takes time to develop so it may also take some time before substance use changes significantly in teens.
4. Lead by Example
As a parent, it is crucial that you set an example and be a role model for your children. Publicly using cannabis could send the message that drug use is acceptable and potentially ruin their futures.
Know why your children are using cannabis. Teenagers typically turn to it to celebrate, relax or manage mental health symptoms like anxiety.
Engaging in open and ongoing dialogue about these matters can help your family find the optimal approach. If you suspect your child is misusing cannabis in unsafe ways, professional help should be sought to create boundaries, expectations and consequences; should any issues or symptoms of addiction emerge, treatment and recovery plans may also be useful options to explore.
