As cannabis (also called weed or ganja) and tobacco become more common among Gen-Z and millennials, a new scientific study is raising concerns about their effects on the brain.
Research published in the journal Addiction suggests that regularly using these substances may cause certain brain areas to shrink, which could affect memory, emotions, and overall cognitive health.
The study cites global statistics showing that about 230 million people, or 4.4 percent of the world’s population, used cannabis in 2022. Tobacco is even more common, with nearly 30 percent of people worldwide using it, leading to about 8 million deaths each year. Both substances are often glamorised on social media and are now a big part of youth culture, which makes these findings especially concerning for young people in India.
The systematic review and meta-analysis examined multiple studies using The review looked at several studies that used different research methods, including brain scans. Researchers found that people who use tobacco often have smaller brain volumes, especially in grey matter and in areas related to memory and emotions. Cannabis use was sometimes linked to a smaller amygdala, but this was not true for all age groups. While tobacco seems to cause more inflammation and damage, the CBD in cannabis might provide some protection in certain cases with no clear conclusions yet.
The study, one of the first to directly link these substances to changes in brain size, noted imbalances in previous research samples – more male participants for cannabis studies and more females for tobacco.
Experts say there needs to be more awareness and more research, especially about using both substances together.
As more young people in India pick up these habits, health officials are urging caution. Parents, teachers, and young people should know that what seems like harmless fun now could have serious effects on the brain in the future.
This new study is a strong reminder that making cannabis and tobacco seem normal could have bigger risks than we realised. These substances may actually shrink the brain, which is central to how we think and make decisions.
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