Physiologically speaking, the teen years are when the function of the frontal lobe and many other areas of the brain are developing. Like a muscle, the brain must be exercised to develop properly.

The frontal lobe contains the 'brakes' of our brain. It is the location of our conscience, our inhibitions, and our super ego. It is where our impulses are controlled. It must be used to develop.

It is also one of the areas most affected by drug use. As a result, it may be physiologically impossible for long term drug users to exercise impulse control or gain focus. If they are forced to use that part of their brain repeatedly as in rehab, it is possible to develop a degree of strength. But imagine what would happen if you put a cast on your child's leg before his leg muscles were developed. Or even your own leg for a long period of time. After a while, it might be impossible to regain function of the muscles. Long term drug use especially in a young developing brain can destroy the entire function of parts of the brain to the point where it can never be regained.

That same principle applies to mood altering pharmaceuticals. If the drug eliminates the need for the brain to use its 'muscles' to fight depression and develop focus, it may never become strong enough to handle the sadness of life or to focus on its own.

There is certainly therapeutic need for pharmaceuticals in some cases, but indiscriminate use of drugs that affect brain function, especially prior to adulthood when the brain is developing, scares me.

smile

[ April 10, 2006, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: smilinize ]