Avoid any cannabis consumption before the age of 25 in order to protect the development of critical thinking and to mitigate the risks of psychological distress or a break from reality.

noli's read

The advice to avoid cannabis during youth is based on particularly solid scientific foundations. An extensive longitudinal imaging study published in JAMA Psychiatry (Albaugh et al.) shows accelerated thinning of the prefrontal cortex in young consumers, confirming the impact on key areas of reflection and decision-making. Furthermore, observational data from the large American ABCD study (Wade et al., 2026, Neuropsychopharmacology), conducted on more than 11,000 participants, associate early consumption with a slowing in the development of memory and attention capacities. Regarding mental balance, major cohort studies (such as that of Di Forti et al. in The Lancet) establish a clear and dose-dependent link between regular use and increased risks of psychological distress or a break from reality. While science validates this cerebral vulnerability until approximately age 25 (CDC expert consensus), the intensity of the effects nonetheless remains linked to the frequency of use and individual genetic sensitivity. In short, this recommendation of maximum caution during a critical phase of brain plasticity is fully justified.

the sources

1. 1NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 2026
2. 2Manson JE et al. 2019
3. 3Bhatt DL et al. 2019
4. 4Khan SU, Lone AN, Khan MS, et al. 2021
5. 5Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al. 2019
6. 6hubermanprotocols.com (fan reference guide)