PubHawk
November 2021 PMID 34567915

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain.

Briana Lees, Jennifer Debenham, Lindsay M Squeglia

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Mentions

33
Peak: 14 in Sep 2021
across 4 sources since Sep 2021

Extended reach

577,668
potential audience

Total likes

9,211

Video views

381,965

Mentions per month

Sep 2021 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter21 posts
  • YouTube6 videos
  • News4 articles
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussion examples include users questioning the relative harm of alcohol versus cannabis, citing sources that describe how heavy usage impacts brain structures, and debating safety perceptions with phrases like 'worse for the brain' and 'safer,' which reflect curiosity and concern. The tone varies from skeptical to informative, emphasizing the ongoing societal debate around youth substance use and brain health.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many posters acknowledge that the publication presents valid scientific findings about the negative effects on adolescent brains, with some comparing alcohol and cannabis impacts directly.

InterestModerate interest

The discussions show moderate curiosity, with users referencing specific research outcomes and debating substance safety, indicating active but not highly passionate engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments include comparisons, references to sources, and questions that suggest users are reflecting on the findings, yet few delve deeply into methodological analysis or broader implications.

ImpactModerate impact

The social discussions highlight the importance of the article in influencing perceptions of adolescent substance use, though they mostly summarize rather than advocate for policy changes, indicating moderate impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Heavy alcohol and cannabis use during adolescence can cause small to moderate changes in brain structure and function, leading to issues with attention, memory, and coordination.
  • Alcohol use is linked to decreases in gray matter volume, slower white matter growth, and poorer brain network efficiency, which can affect impulse control and learning.
  • Cannabis use, especially heavy use, has been associated with reductions in subcortical brain regions, altered cortical thickness, and decreased executive function and IQ, with alcohol effects generally more pronounced.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
American Psychiatric Association
@APApsychiatric · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 13 likes · 7 shares · 178,690 followers View post →
snwbrds
@snwbrds1 · X

@sloetree Da liegt Herr Subkowski mit seinen Behauptungen wohl falsch: https://t.co/LdURQ4x9JC

Oct 30, 2021 · 3 likes · 304 followers View post →
a-Rye || MHJ 719
@AlexRyan_STEM · X

@learnaboutsam @CNN Now let's look at developmental problems of alcohol in teens vs Cannabis in teens: https://t.co/nzrJpgLqFq. Also, less Colorado teens are using Cannabis: https://t.co/HyUJ9TQTHb So, looks like IF teens are choosing to use a substance illegally, Cannabis is still the safer

Feb 12, 2025 · 2 likes · 5,621 followers View post →
CREIndigenousAlcohol
@CRE_IndigAlc · X

.@ BrianaLees : Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain in adolescence- a review of the literature Ping @MichaelDjaridji @dadiyama_kylie @ScottADAC @JimmyADAC https://t.co/gWNqCtbxVK

Sep 16, 2021 · 2 likes · 567 followers View post →
David Wyatt
@ShemKenan · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain https://t.co/FkqTS9ErNM

Sep 16, 2021 · 1 like · 953 followers View post →
Ricardo
@Ric_FM · X

@joaomiranda Desconheço se o uso intensivo de raspadinhas contribui para a diminuição do QI. https://t.co/RfY6ko8XDp

Sep 30, 2021 · 1 like · 921 followers View post →

All mentions

FungibleEther
@FungibleEther · X

@RecessionEcon @DeItaone What studies are you looking at to say it is worse for the brain? Everything I have seen is that alcohol is at least as bad if not worse depending on age. https://t.co/LiipnIOzTY https://t.co/iDHtMi3RdQ

Aug 15, 2025 · 84 followers View post →
gruz
@gruzownik · X

@MurzynfrogXXX 2/x Wystarczy minuta, żeby znaleźć na to źródło, ale zakładam, że lepiej żyć w błogiej nieświadomości. Marihuana w mniejszym stopniu niszczy mózg niż alkohol. Kilka źródeł: https://t.co/0L6bkiuECd https://t.co/7mzuw0KsCR https://t.co/HHqHhpgvQ4 https://t.co/59R52MryGY

Jul 5, 2025 · 9 followers View post →
gruz
@gruzownik · X

@MurzynfrogXXX 2/x Wystarczy minuta, żeby znaleźć na to źródło, ale zakładam, że lepiej żyć w błogiej nieświadomości. Marihuana w mniejszym stopniu niszczy mózg niż alkohol. Kilka źródeł: https://t.co/0L6bkiuECd https://t.co/7mzuw0KsCR https://t.co/HHqHhpgvQ4 https://t.co/59R52MryGY

Jul 5, 2025 · 9 followers View post →
a-Rye || MHJ 719
@AlexRyan_STEM · X

@learnaboutsam @CNN Now let's look at developmental problems of alcohol in teens vs Cannabis in teens: https://t.co/nzrJpgLqFq. Also, less Colorado teens are using Cannabis: https://t.co/HyUJ9TQTHb So, looks like IF teens are choosing to use a substance illegally, Cannabis is still the safer

Feb 12, 2025 · 2 likes · 5,621 followers View post →
snwbrds
@snwbrds1 · X

@PhilipPlickert Wie gehen Sie zu Hause mit dem potentiellen Alkoholkonsum von Kindern und Jugendlichen um? https://t.co/LdURQ4x9JC

Feb 24, 2024 · 1 like · 304 followers View post →
NirvanaEnElSamsara
@EnSamsara · X

@Vikingo_Valdemo @LolaMonstera @MasMadridCM Todo depende de la población diana,la comorbilidad, patología dual, doy por supuesto no? Pero bueno aquí te paso uno. Pero hay muchos otros. https://t.co/mF76ZIVNJa

May 19, 2022 · 584 followers View post →
snwbrds
@snwbrds1 · X

@sloetree Da liegt Herr Subkowski mit seinen Behauptungen wohl falsch: https://t.co/LdURQ4x9JC

Oct 30, 2021 · 3 likes · 304 followers View post →
Ricardo
@Ric_FM · X

@joaomiranda Desconheço se o uso intensivo de raspadinhas contribui para a diminuição do QI. https://t.co/RfY6ko8XDp

Sep 30, 2021 · 1 like · 921 followers View post →
ellen snelling
@LNseven5 · X

Did you know? "Heavy to very heavy #cannabis use is associated with decreased subcortical volume and increased frontoparietal cortical thickness, disrupted functional development, and decreased executive functioning and IQ compared to non-using controls." https://t.co/FhvEmosjMd

Sep 29, 2021 · 2,251 followers View post →
Geraldine Idoniboye, MD
@ProvidenceHlth · X

RT @APAPsychiatric: Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 20, 2021 · 7 shares · 107 followers View post →
Dr Arshad Siddique
@DrArshadS · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain https://t.co/HLz3Y5Jr5K

Sep 18, 2021 · 27 followers View post →
Yang Pascua
@PascuaRodelia · X

RT @APAPsychiatric: Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 7 shares · 144 followers View post →
SALUD MENTAL Y ADICCIONES
@SaludAdicciones · X

RT @APAPsychiatric: Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 7 shares · 475 followers View post →
Itoro Udo
@Udoatliaison · X

RT @APAPsychiatric: Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 7 shares · 455 followers View post →
drproll
@drproll1 · X

RT @APAPsychiatric: Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 7 shares · 85 followers View post →
rita's granddaughter
@Threemmms · X

RT @APAPsychiatric: Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 7 shares · 186 followers View post →
American Psychiatric Association
@APApsychiatric · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain (via NIAAA) Read more: https://t.co/DpMcpjpYlw

Sep 18, 2021 · 13 likes · 7 shares · 178,690 followers View post →
David Wyatt
@ShemKenan · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain https://t.co/FkqTS9ErNM

Sep 16, 2021 · 1 like · 953 followers View post →
Carlos A. Galicia
@CarlosAGalicia4 · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain https://t.co/MQrXnfCtcp

Sep 16, 2021 · 52 followers View post →
CREIndigenousAlcohol
@CRE_IndigAlc · X

.@ BrianaLees : Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain in adolescence- a review of the literature Ping @MichaelDjaridji @dadiyama_kylie @ScottADAC @JimmyADAC https://t.co/gWNqCtbxVK

Sep 16, 2021 · 2 likes · 567 followers View post →
Michelle Clarke
@canisgallicus · X

Alcohol and Cannabis Use and the Developing Brain https://t.co/G8KPr7xoBy

Sep 16, 2021 · 3,780 followers View post →