ABCD Study research links adolescent cannabis use and physical activity to cognitive health

New research utilizing data from the American ABCD Study cohort has highlighted significant links between lifestyle factors and adolescent development.

A longitudinal study published in Neuropsychopharmacology, led by researchers Natasha E. Wade and Susan F. Tapert, followed over 11,000 American youths between the ages of 9 and 17. The findings indicate that adolescents who consume cannabis exhibit different cognitive trajectories compared to non-consumers. While some initial advantages were noted, cognitive progression slowed by mid-adolescence. By age 17, cannabis users generally showed lower performance in areas such as memory, processing speed, and inhibitory control. The study utilized biological tests, including hair, urine, saliva, and breath analysis, to supplement self-reporting.

Separately, a study published in JAMA Network Open examined the relationship between physical activity and mental health among 5,515 adolescents. Using wearable devices to track daily steps, researchers found that adolescents with higher daily step counts reported fewer mental health issues one year later. Higher activity levels were also associated with increased cortical thickness in brain regions responsible for motor control, cognitive functions, and emotional regulation, specifically the paracentral cortex and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex.