Answer:
The gateway drug effect (alternatively, stepping-stone theory, escalation hypothesis, or progression hypothesis) is a comprehensive catchphrase for the often observed effect that the use of a psychoactive drug is coupled to an increased probability of the use of further drugs. Possible causes are biological alterations in the brain due to the earlier drug and similar attitudes of users across different drugs (common liability to addiction).[1] In 2020, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released a study backing allegations that marijuana is a "gateway" to more dangerous drugs, though not for the majority of drug users.
