- Details
- Hits: 1162
Young men at highest risk of schizophrenia linked with cannabis use disorder May 4, 2023
NIH study highlights the need to proactively screen for, prevent, and treat cannabis use disorder especially among young people.
Young men with cannabis (marijuana) use disorder have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia, according to a study led by researchers at the Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health. The study, published in Psychological Medicine, analyzed detailed health records data spanning 5 decades and representing more than 6 million people in Denmark to estimate the fraction of schizophrenia cases that could be attributed to cannabis use disorder on the population level.
Researchers found strong evidence of an association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia among men and women, though the association was much stronger among young men. Using statistical models, the study authors estimated that as many as 30% of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disorder.
“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 NIDA Director and study coauthor Nora Volkow, M.D. “As access to potent cannabis products continues to expand, it is crucial that we also expand prevention, screening, and treatment for people who may experience mental illnesses associated with cannabis use…”
Also see All Young Cannabis Users Face Psychosis Risk and Get-a-Clue Weed
- Details
- Hits: 1097
The Association Between Tobacco and Cannabis Use and the Age of Onset of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Adolescents and Young Adults
Abstract
Purpose: No studies have prospectively explored the association between the use of tobacco or cannabis use and the age of onset of depressive or anxiety symptoms, and no studies have identified the peak ages and ranges of onset of these symptoms among tobacco and/or cannabis users.
Methods: This is a secondary analysis of Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System data, waves 9-14 (2019-20121). Participants were in 10th grade, 12 th grade, and two years post-high school (HS) at baseline (Wave 9). Interval-censoring multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were fit to assess differences in the estimated age of onset of depression and anxiety by tobacco and cannabis use while adjusting for covariates.
Results: We found that lifetime or ever cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis use had an increased risk of an earlier age of onset of depressive and anxiety symptoms across the three cohorts, and the youngest cohort was the most differentially impacted by substance use. Between ages 18 to 19 years in the 10th-grade cohort, between ages 20 to 21 years in the 12th-grade cohort, and between ages 22 to 23 years in the post-HS cohort, the estimated hazard function (or cumulative incidence) for reporting depressive and anxiety symptoms almost doubled among lifetime cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis users.
Conclusions: Tobacco and cannabis users should be screened for mental health problems at an earlier age, especially those aged 18 years and younger, and provided with age- and culturally-appropriate resources to prevent or delay the onset of anxiety and/or depression symptoms.
Implications: The study's findings indicate that tobacco and cannabis use is directly linked to the early onset of depressive and anxiety symptoms among youth. This highlights the significance of early screening and substance use interventions, particularly for youth aged 18 years and younger, as they are disproportionately affected by both substance use and mental health problems. School-based interventions that are age- and culturally appropriate hold promise as they enable youth to seek professional help early, and in a supportive environment. Intervening early in substance shows promise in reducing the likelihood of developing mental health problems at a young age. (Source:National Library of Medicine April 2023)
Also see
- All Young Cannabis Users Face Risk of Psychosis
- Smoking cannabis in your teens IS linked to depression in later life: Major study reveals drug 'damages children's brains' and half a MILLION adults could avoid mental-health disorder if they had turned down marijuana
- CANNABIS USERS AT 'MUCH HIGHER' RISK OF DEVELOPING POOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Details
- Hits: 846
Summary: The prevalence of cannabis use in women of childbearing age is increasing drastically, likely related to increased legalization. Cannabis use during pregnancy is likely associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes, although data have significant limitations. Providers should screen for cannabis use and CUD regularly and counsel women about the known and unknown data regarding outcomes. It is important to identify co-occurring mental health disorders (Source: Advances in Psychiatry & Behavioural Health – 2023)
Also see
- Details
- Hits: 927
The prevalence of cannabis use is rising among the US population.1 As cannabis continues to be legalized throughout the USA, people are turning to the internet and social media for information about its potential health benefits.2,3 In this study, we characterize internet claims about the health benefits of cannabis use in the lay press and evaluate the evidence base supporting those claims.
Social contagion based experimentation with cannabis is incredibly risky, especially when patients turn to ‘Social Media Pot Physicians’ The Journal of General Internal Medicine found that fewer than 5% of claims made for cannabis on the internet were true; more than 80% were patently false. (Source: Internet Claims on the Health Benefits of Cannabis Use - PMC (nih.gov)
Also see