Disproving Link Between Cannabis Use & Early Onset Psychosis, New Study

A recent study conducted by researchers from Zucker Hillside Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine and Universities Michigan and California Davis challenges the notion that regular marijuana use leads to the early onset of psychotic disorders.

As reported by Marijuana Moment, the research was part of the Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP).

“Recreational cannabis use has recently gained considerable interest as an environmental risk factor that triggers the onset of psychosis,” according to study authors.

Related Content: NIDA Study Finds Young Men At Higher Risk Of Schizophrenia Linked With Cannabis Use Disorder

About The Study

• Published in the journal Psychiatry Research, the study tracked the behavior of 210 teenagers and young adults, aged 12 to 25, who were at a clinically high risk (CHR) for developing psychosis.
• Contrary to claims made by opponents of cannabis legalization, the study found that continuous cannabis use over a two-year period did not lead to an increased risk of transitioning into psychosis or worsening clinical symptoms, overall neurocognition, or functioning levels.
• “To date (...) the evidence that cannabis is associated with negative outcomes in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis is inconsistent,” reads the study.

According to researchers, those who consistently used cannabis showed slightly elevated, yet non-significant levels of attenuated positive symptoms when compared to non-users.

Additionally, the research revealed unexpected positive outcomes for individuals who continuously used cannabis.

Related Content: Can Marijuana Worsen A Mental Illness?

“CHR youth who continuously used cannabis had higher neurocognition and social functioning over time, and decreased medication usage, relative to non-users (...) Surprisingly, clinical symptoms improved over time despite the medication decreases,” researchers concluded.

More information here at Marijuana Moment.

Want to learn more about this important topic? Join us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on September 27 and 28. All information is available on bzcannabis.com 

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