New Study Suggests Young People Who Smoke Potent Weed Frequently Might Get Schizo

[RAMROD 117,258]

 

Young men who use potent marijuana frequently have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia, according to a new study of almost 7 million health records. 

As many as 30% of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21-to-30 could have been prevented had they avoided cannabis use disorder, according to the study published Thursday in Psychological Medicine. The condition, loosely defined as frequent use of the drug despite negative consequences, has been found to develop in around three in 10 who use marijuana, according to past research. The latest study, based on Danish health records, adds to growing research into cannabis and mental health outcomes in the US and other countries.

“The entanglement of substance-use disorders and mental illnesses is a major public health issue, requiring urgent action and support for people who need it,” said co-author Nora Volkow, who is also the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 

While the Danish population doesn’t have as much diversity as the US and genetics plays a role in schizophrenia risk, the findings should concern people of all ethnic backgrounds, Volkow said in an interview.

“The evidence is sufficiently strong to encourage caution,” Volkow said, particularly for those with any family history of schizophrenia or early symptoms of the mental disorder.

Schizophrenia, characterized as a loss of touch with reality and by symptoms like delusions and hearing voices, can be a lifelong condition that’s difficult to treat. Schizophrenia’s economic burden on the US was $343.2 billion in 2019, more than double what it was in 2013, according to a study in the Clinical Journey of Psychiatry. 

The study is the first to show the relationship between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia in a large population. Previous research has shown links between the use of cannabis with high levels of its psychoactive compound THC and psychosis, the loss of contact with reality that’s a main symptom of schizophrenia.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-04/heavy-marijuana-use-increases-schizophrenia-in-men-study-finds

[weed 79,043]

honestly.... I've thought I'm slowly developing schizo for years now lol

[AnglerfishbraBENUS 5,734]

16 minutes ago, weed said:

honestly.... I've thought I'm slowly developing schizo for years now lol

same lol

[Controversiaga 16,391]

It’s very likely and has been predicted for a while now.  Even short term users experience mental defects and psychotic episodes from it.  It is a mind altering substance and abusing it will do nobody any good.  The same is true for all substances, honestly.

I use to be addicted.  4 years sober now!

[Flippy 14,422]

Interesting. My friend who is schizophrenic smokes to prevent those attacks and such. So far it’s been fine  

[ProfessionalClown 10,647]

Honestly feel like I’m collecting mental illness/disorders like infinity stones rn each time I was diagnosed in like “well alright then! “
 

apparently my doc is suspecting autism as well considering certain habits I have and sensitivities 

 

[Fuffy 1,049]

I thought this link has already been known about for years? This Danish study must be more comprehensive if so. 

Cannabis is mostly safe for fully grown adults, but poses brain development problems in young people under 25.

Though I think there's some correlation at play. If you're smoking weed, you're probably more likely to be experiencing mental health problems and are self-medicating without realizing it. 

[hardcore1996 1,618]

This happened to my cousin. Started when he was around 15/16 and he ended up taking his life when he was 18 about 7 years ago

[Dennis 8,391]

I know it first hand. I have a cousin in his 20s who went full schizo from cannabis use.

Now I'm starting to wonder whether fully legalizing its sale was a good idea.

[PartySick 172,975]

2 minutes ago, Dennis said:

I know it first hand. I have a cousin in his 20s who went full schizo from cannabis use.

Now I'm starting to wonder whether fully legalizing its sale was a good idea.

Prohibition doesn't work tbh but yeah, it needs to be heavily regulated just like any controlled substance should be.

[Dennis 8,391]

1 minute ago, PartySick said:

Prohibition doesn't work tbh but yeah, it needs to be heavily regulated just like any controlled substance should be.

I still don't believe in criminalizing its consumption. But the sale I think needs to be very well regulated yeah.

[PartySick 172,975]

3 minutes ago, Dennis said:

I still don't believe in criminalizing its consumption. But the sale I think needs to be very well regulated yeah.

Oh I know! You said "fully legalizing" but yes, I agree!

[holy scheisse 22,959]

Yeah ima keep enjoying weed lol 

[thefamebitch 834]

I wonder how many of these individuals had this already and the substance just helped it manifest. 

[Dr Fudge 8,674]

4 hours ago, ControversiaGa said:

It’s very likely and has been predicted for a while now.  Even short term users experience mental defects and psychotic episodes from it.  It is a mind altering substance and abusing it will do nobody any good.  The same is true for all substances, honestly.

I use to be addicted.  4 years sober now!

100% this. I struggle with addiction big time and at the very least, by cutting out weed I’ve felt a lot mentally healthier