Teens vaping more pot, illegal drugs, not nicotine

A new study reveals a worrying jump in US teenagers using vapes for marijuana and potentially dangerous illegal synthetic drugs. 

Researchers also found teens are increasingly unsure about what substances they are actually inhaling.

The research tracked vaping habits among middle and high school students aged 11 to 18 from 2021 to 2023. 

It found significant increases in the number of teens vaping THC (the main psychoactive part of marijuana), CBD (a non-intoxicating cannabis compound), and especially synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), which are lab made drugs designed to mimic THC.

"One of the most unexpected findings was the continued rise in adolescent use of synthetic cannabinoids," said lead researcher Jack Chung of the University of Queensland. 

"This trend is particularly alarming."

Chung explained these synthetic drugs are often bought through unregulated, illegal markets. 

This means there are no safety checks or quality controls. 

"These synthetic cannabinoid products could potentially be deadly," said Chung.

“Many adolescents [are] unknowingly vaping these harmful and synthetic substances."

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, showed significant findings regarding cannabis related vaping among US teenagers in 2023. 

The research found that roughly 7.4% of American teens, approximately 2.55 million teens, reported currently vaping THC. 

Additionally, about 2.9% of teens, or roughly 999,000 teens, reported vaping CBD products. 

The study also found that approximately 1.8% of teens, about 620,000 teens, reported vaping SCs.

While THC vaping peaked in 2022, the use of synthetic cannabinoids kept climbing through 2023. 

The study also noted that female students reported higher rates of vaping THC, CBD, and SCs compared to males.

Adding to the concern, the number of teens who said they "don’t know" what substance they had vaped tripled over the study period. 

This uncertainty highlights the risks of unregulated products.

SCs are especially troubling as they are designed to bind very strongly to brain receptors. 

This can cause more intense, unpredictable, and dangerous health effects than natural cannabis. 

Teens vaping any cannabis also tend to report more mental health symptoms than those who use traditional marijuana.

"We still know very little about the long-term health effects of cannabis vaping," said Gary C.K. Chan, also from the University of Queensland. 

"Which makes it even more important to understand what's in your vape."

This research is important because it tracks THC, CBD, and SCs separately. 

Many past studies grouped all cannabis vaping together, even though these substances have very different effects and risks.

Why are teens experimenting? 

Researchers point to peer pressure, curiosity, and a desire to fit in. 

Exposure to cannabis related content on popular social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, often featuring influencers or celebrities, might also play a role.

Chung hopes the findings spur action. 

He calls for greater public awareness and more resources dedicated to educating young people about the risks of vaping. 

According to Chung, “tailored harm reduction interventions" are urgently needed to protect teens from the potential long term consequences of vaping these unregulated substances. 

The study urges policymakers to create stronger public health rules to safeguard youth from unregulated products.