What Are Marijuana and Delta-8/9? Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant and contains many natural chemicals called cannabinoids. The main ingredient that causes a "high" is tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. Delta-8 THC is a form of THC that is often made from hemp-derived CBD through chemical processing. Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana and is responsible for the "high" most people associate with cannabis. Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC ar

If your social media feed is full of 10-step routines and $80 serums — breathe. You don't need any of that. Taking care of your skin as a teen is way simpler (and cheaper!) than it looks. In fact, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, in a 2025 guide from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), put it best: “Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.” The golden rule? Three steps cover almost everything your skin needs: cleanse, moisturize, and

Learning about your menstrual cycle can help you feel more confident and less stressed about the changes your body goes through. If your period seems random or confusing sometimes, that doesn’t always mean something is wrong. During the teen years, it’s really common for cycles to be a little unpredictable while your body is still adjusting. This guide will help you understand what’s usually normal, what can affect your period, and when it might be a good idea to check-in wi

While millions appear to be normal on the outside, many are actually undergoing painful struggles within. March is Self-Injury Awareness Month, a time dedicated to understanding the problems that several people face, while also being there to provide comfort and hope. It is a time to break the stigma associated with open discussions regarding mental health issues that lead to major problems like self-injury. To put the issue of self-injury into perspective, according to the C

Popping Questions, Not Pimples! You wake up one morning and start going through your regular morning routine when- hold on, what is that? Why is there a big red bump on your forehead? Many of us are introduced to some form of acne as early as our pre-teen years and even up to our mid-twenties. Acne is incredibly common - so if you are dealing with annoying breakouts, you are certainly not alone. The good news? We have several treatments that are proven to work, and many

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the stories, insights, and conversations that were shared on the Teen Connect Tampa Bay blog this year. Throughout the year, the blog served as a space dedicated to uplifting teen voices, sharing accurate health information, and raising awareness about topics that directly impact teens and young adults in our community. Our posts this year touched on themes that are important to young people today. Topics su

The holidays are known to most as the brightest time of the year. The streets light up, decorations go up, and there is a visible joy in the atmosphere that surrounds us. It’s that time of year when families gather around for a warm meal, toss the football out in the cool, crisp, autumn breeze, and make memories that last a lifetime. For many, because of this, the holidays truly seem like joyous and wonderful times. But how about a reality that is completely different from

It’s 2 a.m. I should be asleep. In about six and a half hours, I’ll be sitting in my pre-calculus class, preparing for a summative exam that makes up a big chunk of my grade. But here I am, lying in bed since 8 p.m., hoping for a good night’s sleep. Then, in a fatal turn of events, I reach for my phone. After just a few clicks, I’m scrolling through Instagram. What follows is a deep dive into what Gen Z calls the doom-scroll —a period of complete focus on nothing but the end

Grabbing a matcha, an iced latte from Dunkin’, or even a can of Monster might seem like a normal part of your daily routine. Caffeine is...

“We make space, together, for what makes us beautifully human. That includes talking about, prioritizing, and honoring our mental...

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by experiencing a traumatic event and...

Have you ever felt completely drained or developed a pounding headache after a stressful day, even though you didn’t do anything...

Opill is the first over-the-counter birth control pill approved for use in the United States. This milestone is a significant shift in...

Most birth control in the United States is only accessed through a prescription given by a doctor. However, seeing a doctor can be a...

Setting a New Year's resolution to focus on your health is a great step! Figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. With so much...

Adolescence is a transformative period marked by rapid growth, hormonal changes, and evolving lifestyles, making adolescent nutrition...

December 1st is World AIDS Day, a day of remembrance and awareness of the AIDS pandemic that affected millions of Americans and people...

Although it might not be Thanksgiving yet, we at Teen Connect Tampa Bay wanted to provide some expert insight into nutrition to help you...

Below you will find resources related to Hurricane Milton. Our team will continue to update this post as we learn more about the storm...

Medically defined by Merriam-Webster, Anxiety is "an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical...