Cannabis use linked to earlier onset of psychosis
Cannabis users develop psychosis an average of two-and-a-half years earlier than nonusers, a new meta-analysis by UNSW Sydney researchers shows. This earlier onset of psychosis becomes more pronounced with age, stretching to a difference of more than six years between cannabis users and nonusers who develop psychosis in their 30s, according to the global analysis, published in Biological…
A new meta-analysis from UNSW Sydney reveals that cannabis users develop psychosis an average of two-and-a-half years earlier than non-users, with the age difference widening to over six years in those who experience psychosis in their 30s. Psychosis, a symptom of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, involves delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking and behavior.
The study examined 149 studies involving over 71,000 people, primarily those with schizophrenia. Researchers noted that while there is no definitive proof that cannabis directly causes psychosis, the consistent findings suggest a cumulative effect, where harm builds over time, much like alcohol or nicotine. The researchers emphasized the importance of broadening warnings about the risks of cannabis use beyond adolescence, as the impact can continue into adulthood, potentially affecting education, employment, and relationships.
They also cautioned about the rise of medical cannabis and cannabis edibles, which may underestimate the risks associated with cannabis consumption.
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