Question

Human Growth and Behavior

This week, in addition to other required activities, you will read and complete Chapter 11: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence p. 312+ in your textbook.

1. Explain how alcohol and marijuana use affect the developing brain.

2. Explain how some adolescents face greater risks with school transitions than others.

Answer 1

1. Alcohol on the developing brain

- Inhibits growth of neurons

- Decreases myelination (process of forming myelin sheath that allows nerve impulses to move more quickly)

The main parts of the brain that is affected by alcohol are :-

Hippocampus - affects memory

Frontal lobe - impairs decision making

#. Marijuana affects the brains parts :-

Hippocampus - affects memory

Frontal lobe - impairs decision making

Cerebellum - impairs learning

The main chemical in marijuana that affects the brain is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When marijuana is smoked, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries it to organs throughout the body, including the brain. As it enters the brain, THC attaches to cells, or neurons, with specific kinds of receptors called cannabinoid receptors. Normally, these receptors are activated by chemicals that occur naturally in the body. They are part of a communication network in the brain called the endocannabinoid system. This system is important in normal brain development and function. Most of the cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana triggers an increase in the activity of the endocannabinoid system, which causes the release of dopamine in the brain's reward centers, creating the pleasurable feelings or "high." Other effects include changes in perceptions and mood, lack of coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.

2. Some adolescents face greater risk with school transition than others because it's a stage where the adolescents are changing to adults and goes through many physical , psychological and mental changes hence they face risk while school transition .