Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist, has claimed that marijuana is more damaging to brain aging than alcohol, ranking it second only to schizophrenia in accelerating the brain’s aging process.

Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Amen said his team’s analysis of tens of thousands of brain scans found schizophrenia had the strongest association with accelerated brain aging, followed by marijuana use.

He said marijuana slows nerve cell activity, which can make users with anxious or overactive minds feel calmer. However, he warned that this effect may come at the expense of brain health.

According to Amen, research has shown marijuana can damage the structure of neurons and reduce normal brain activity over time.

The psychiatrist also cautioned against marijuana use among children and teenagers, saying it is linked to a higher likelihood of anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior later in life.

He further claimed that young people who use marijuana have a 450% higher risk of developing psychosis compared to non-users.

Amen’s comments are based on research conducted by Amen Clinics, which has examined more than 62,000 brain scans. While a substantial body of scientific research has associated heavy or early cannabis use with cognitive impairment and an increased risk of psychosis, Amen’s assertion that marijuana is the second-largest contributor to accelerated brain aging represents his interpretation of the evidence and is not an established scientific consensus.