Smoking marijuana regularly as a teen may lower IQ scores as an adult

[Eugene]

Source: CBS/AP

August 27, 2012 5:40 PM

Smoking marijuana regularly as a teen may lower IQ scores as an adult

(CBS/AP) Teens who smoke marijuana frequently are more likely to experience a long-term drop in their IQ, according to a new study.

That could be a potential pitfall for millions of teens, given recent estimates show about one in 10 teens in grades nine through 12 smoke marijuana at least 20 times per month. The researchers however didn't find the same IQ dip for people who became frequent users of pot after 18, suggesting pot use is especially dangerous for the developing brain.

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More than 1,000 study participants from New Zealand were tested for IQ at age 13 - likely before any significant marijuana use - and again at age 38. All were born in the town of Dunedin during a year-long span ending in 1973.

In addition to IQ tests, participants were given five interviews between ages 18 and 38, including questions related to their marijuana use. At age 18, 52 participants said they had become dependent on marijuana, meaning that they continued to use it despite its causing significant health, social or legal problems. Ninety-two others reported dependence starting at a later age.

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Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57501243-10391704/smoking-marijuana-regularly-as-a-teen-may-lower-iq-scores-as-an-adult/

[Le Taz Hot]

1. Somebody else tried to post this pablum already.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021212892

[EOTE]

4. This would be number 4 at the very least.

I guess certain propaganda needs a bit of extra catapulting in order to truly take off.

[AngryAmish]

2. I would like to see someone confirm these results.

If true, this could effect the debate.

Let me add: I think pot should be legal like booze. It is not utterly harmless. There are dope smoking losers just like there are drunks (albeit at a lower rate than alcoholism). It is infantile to claim otherwise as some mj advocates insist.

[HopeHoops]

3. Oh fucking bullshit. I smoked TONS of weed in high school and, wait, what was the issue?

[hobbit709]

5. I can't imagine how smart I would have been if I didn't smoke pot and drop acid in HS.

since the IQ tests I've taken average around 135

[mick063]

6. no kidding

I would be simply brilliant right now.

Oh well. I'm comfortable in my own skin and enjoy a very comfortable standard of living.

I preach to my daughter all of the time. I tell her there are millions of "smart" folks that don't enjoy our lifestyle. Maybe we are lucky. Maybe in the right place at the right time. In my opinion, it is probably because we were not smart enough to know we were failing and should have given up.

I thank high school pot for that. If not for dumbing myself down, I would have quickly figured out that I was not capable of success.

Thank you pot!