Regular cannabis use significantly increases the risk of schizophrenia

Cannabis users are at increased risk for schizophrenia
Regular consumption of cannabis can apparently lead to serious mental illness. Researchers now found that cannabis users are five times more likely to develop schizophrenia compared to people who never smoked cannabis.

The researchers at the Copenhagen University Hospital's Mental Health Center found in an investigation that regular use of cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia. The physicians presented the results of their study at this year's conference of the International Early Psychosis Association.

Regular use of cannabis can lead to serious mental health problems. Physicians now found a link between the use of cannabis and the emergence of schizophrenia. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com)

Cannabis dangerous to mental health?
Apparently, the use of cannabis leads to a higher risk for mental health, compared to all other substances including so-called class A drugs, the researchers explain. When consumers regularly use cannabis, the risk of developing schizophrenia increases 5.2-fold compared to non-users. Alcohol increased the risk of schizophrenia 3.4-fold, hallucinogenic drugs 1.9-fold and amphetamine increased the risk 1.24-fold, the experts add.

Scientists are studying the medical data of more than 3.1 million people
The Danish researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 3.1 million people for their study in order to find a possible link between the use of cannabis and the development of schizophrenia.

Particularly strong cannabis is responsible for many cases of psychosis
The physicians suggest that the hormone dopamine released by cannabis could cause disorders in humans, which then lead to increased susceptibility. Already last year, there was a study that showed that very strong types of cannabis are responsible for one in four cases of psychosis, explain the Danish experts.

Cannabis affects the brain of consumers and can cause schizophrenia
Positive campaigns about the effects of cannabis claim that there is no evidence for the development of psychotic disorders from the use of cannabis. Those affected may also have previously suffered from schizophrenia. But researchers at the Copenhagen University Hospital's Mental Health Center said that there is evidence that cannabis affects consumers' brains, leading to schizophrenia.

Effects of cannabis abuse in pregnant women
When pregnant women use cannabis, their children are six times more likely to have schizophrenia, the researchers report. This suggests that the effects of the drug may be transmitted in the womb and a child in the womb does not voluntarily take the substance, but has no choice. "The current results for me mean that cannabis is a causal mechanism of schizophrenia," explains Dr. Carsten Hjorthøj from the University of Copenhagen. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder associated with dopamine and cannabis-altered dopamine levels, the expert adds. (As)