Does cannabis consumption make schizophrenic?

Does cannabis consumption make schizophrenic? Psychotic symptoms are increased by cannabis use, according to a study.

03/03/2011

Adolescents who regularly consume cannabis are at an increased risk of psychotic symptoms „British Medical Journal“ (BMJ) in its latest issue with reference to a comprehensive study by researchers from Maastricht University. Cannabis use increases the risk of schizophrenia in adolescents. A long-term study by researchers at the University of Maastricht shows that adolescents are more likely to experience psychotic symptoms as a sign of schizophrenia through regular cannabis use. With persistent use, these psychotic symptoms tend to persist, the BMJ reports.

Cannabis promotes the appearance of psychotic symptoms
The research team led by Rebecca Kuepper and Jim van Os of the Dutch University Maastricht had in their study („Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology“; EDSP) examined the impact of cannabis use on a representative sample of 1,923 adolescents aged 14 to 24 over a ten-year period. The adolescent study participants all came from the Munich area. Adolescents who used drugs before the study started or who showed signs of psychotic symptoms were excluded from participation. Over the previous ten-year study period, three extensive examinations of subjects were conducted, which not only identified drug use, but also examined the psychopathological characteristics of clinical psychologists. A significantly increased occurrence of psychotic symptoms among cannabis users was observed, reports the BMJ of the study results of the Dutch researchers.

Psychotic symptoms doubled by cannabis use
The researchers at the University of Maastricht thus confirm the findings of earlier studies in which an association between mental illness and cannabis has already been established. However, it was not yet clear whether the psychological problems were the cause or consequence of cannabis use. The scientists have now shown in their long-term study that cannabis use is the cause of psychotic symptoms that may indicate schizophrenia. Researchers led by Rebecca Kuepper and Jim van Os found almost twice as likely signs of incipient psychosis in juvenile cannabis users as in the other study participants. In addition, scientists have shown that continued cannabis use more than doubles the risk of persistence of psychotic symptoms. On the other hand, there are no signs that psychotic symptoms increase the propensity for cannabis use. The view that the use of cannabis may only be the result and not the cause of mental suffering is not supported by the current study results, according to the presentation in the journal BMJ. Under certain circumstances, the cannabis consumption in conjunction with other factors even trigger schizophrenia, the experts explained.

Cannabis as a cause of schizophrenia?
Although cannabis use is unlikely to be the sole cause of schizophrenia, in case of particularly vulnerable individuals or family history, cannabis clearly promotes schizophrenic symptoms, according to the BMJ statement. Young people who already have schizophrenic relatives in the close family environment should therefore be especially careful. Even occasional cannabis use can lead to serious mental health problems. In addition, the personality of the adolescents is not yet as well established as in adults, and their central nervous system is still developing; H. Their metabolism is particularly sensitive to the chemical action of cannabis, further increasing the risk of psychotic symptoms described by researchers at Maastricht University.

Effect of cannabis increased significantly
One problem that is not discussed in the study, but certainly has an impact on the accumulation of psychotic symptoms, is the ever-increasing efficacy of cannabis. If marijuana still contained about two percent of THC in the era of the 1968s, today it is over 10 percent. Accordingly stronger is the effect of the supposed soft drug. Adolescents also tend, according to experts, to consume the addictive substances not in moderation but in masses, similar to the so-called comatose drinking of alcohol, with a correspondingly higher effect.

Educational services suffer from cannabis use
In addition to the psyche, school performance often suffers from the effects of cannabis use, editorialists Wayne Hall from the University of Queensland and Louisa Degenhardt from the Burnet Institute in Melbourne report in the BMJ article. For example, adolescent consumers are more likely to neglect their school responsibilities and thus block their future career plans. A risk that should not be underestimated either. Although school failings have no similar consequences as the mental symptoms, they too can accompany those affected for a lifetime. According to the experts, problems become problematic as soon as the adolescents lose their regular use of cannabis and personal goals recede into the background (or are completely absent). However, there is nothing to be said against a general ban on cannabis, the editorialists report in the British Medical Journal, as this has no effect and further harm is caused to the young people affected by the criminalization. The repeatedly cited keyword is called enlightenment at this point. For a long time, drug experts have been criticizing that considerable sums of money are being spent on policing the consumer, but that too little is being done for education. (Fp)

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Image: Henning Hraban Ramm