With the recreational use of marijuana becoming increasingly common due to growing legalization, concerns about its potential health consequences are intensifying. While cannabis is often promoted for its relaxing and therapeutic properties, emerging scientific research is highlighting serious risks—particularly to the brain and cardiovascular system.
One of the most vocal warnings comes from Dr. Daniel Amen, a U.S.-based cognitive specialist, who cautions against marijuana use before the age of 25. According to Dr. Amen, the human brain continues to develop well into the mid-20s, and introducing cannabis during this crucial period may stunt that development, potentially causing long-term or even permanent cognitive impairment.
“Using marijuana before your brain fully matures is like throwing a wrench into a growing machine,” Dr. Amen stated in a recent interview.
Adding to the concern, a recent French study has revealed that cannabis use may pose greater risks of heart attack and stroke than even cocaine. The study, which analyzed data from over 10,000 individuals, found that marijuana users were significantly more likely to suffer from major cardiovascular events, even after accounting for factors such as age, gender, and tobacco use.
Meanwhile, researchers in Canada are raising flags about a potential link between cannabis use and dementia in older adults. According to a Canadian study, seniors who had hospital visits related to cannabis were more likely to develop dementia later in life. Though the study stops short of establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it underscores the urgent need for more investigation.
These findings arrive at a time when marijuana is increasingly seen as a low-risk substance. Experts argue that while legalization may reduce criminalization, it should not minimize the importance of public education on its health effects.
“We must be as vigilant with cannabis as we are with alcohol and tobacco,” one researcher noted. “It’s not about fear—it’s about facts.”
As recreational cannabis continues to gain legal ground around the world, health authorities are calling for more research, clearer warnings, and smarter regulation to protect vulnerable groups—especially youth and the elderly.
