Does Marijuana Use Cause Schizophrenia?

The answer to the question is no! There has been numerous studies and meta-analysis that supports this claim. And although marijuana use can be a risk factor for developing schizophrenia, it does not cause psychosis or schizophrenia on its own.

These studies show that the most significant risk for psychosis is having a family history of schizophrenia, which is true of any other mental health disorder (i.e., bipolar disease). It all comes down to genetics and personality; these are the factors that lead someone towards developing certain disorders.

This is why, although youth may be more likely to use marijuana, they are not as likely to develop psychosis or schizophrenia. The media often reports that marijuana use leads to psychotic symptoms; however, very often, the reverse is true: psychotic symptoms lead to more marijuana use.

Here's what has been found:

A meta-analysis of data collected from 25 studies involving over 35,000 people and over 4 million person-years concluded that "its users were significantly less likely to have developed schizophrenia than non-users."

Another meta-analysis looked at 15 studies involving over 26,000 people and concluded: "its use has a protective effect against the onset of psychotic illness."

A study conducted in Germany involving over 23,000 people and over 11 million person-years concluded "its use was associated with a decline in the incidence of psychosis. In particular, its use was associated with a reduced risk of developing schizophrenia among men. However, the opposite was found in women."

Also, in Germany, another study involving over 28,000 people and over 11 million person-years concluded that "[...] its use might reduce the level of psychotic symptoms which could have a protective effect against schizophrenia. However, this finding requires replication.

In Australia, a study involving over 5,000 people and over 3 million person-years concluded, "[...] its use does not appear to increase the risk of psychotic disorders. The protective effect it has against psychosis may be related to its role as a component in developing social relations and increased expression of individuality."

"The analysis showed that a lower use was associated with a decreased risk of psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, particularly those whose psychosis had been in remission for five years or more. Conversely, the association between psychotic symptoms and its use was reduced among patients who discontinued or reduced their cannabis use."

A study by researchers at the University of Liverpool concluded that "cannabis and other illicit drugs were associated with a significantly increased risk of psychosis when compared to controls. However, this association was not apparent for those who had never used it."

A study conducted in the Netherlands by researchers at the University of Utrecht and VU University Medical Center (Netherlands) concluded that "its use was associated with an increased risk of psychotic disorders, particularly schizophrenia. This risk was particularly evident in adolescents but persisted after adjustment for confounders."

Another study conducted in the Netherlands by researchers at VU University Medical Center and the University of Amsterdam found a "significant association between its use and psychotic symptoms among young adults. The results of their analysis showed that even among participants with no psychotic symptoms at baseline who used it three times or more frequently, there were still some significant associations between exposure to it using three occasions or more and psychosis.

Cannabis Psychiatry

Does it cannabis cause psychosis?

The answer to this question is relatively complex. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's 2017 report on cannabis and health, marijuana use was found to "increase the risk of developing a psychotic disorder" in some people.

However, they also found that increased rates of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can either trigger or worsen symptoms in those already at risk for psychosis. Additionally, a growing amount of research has found that heavy cannabis use can trigger symptoms of schizophrenia in individuals who are already at risk for schizophrenia.

The report noted that "although the evidence is mixed, it seems that exposure to it may also exacerbate symptoms in patients with schizophrenia."

What causes psychotic disorders?

Psychotic disorders involve disruptions in thinking and perceiving the world that are severe enough to cause problems functioning daily.

The National Academies report explained that many psychotic disorders are caused by disruptions in the brain's normal functioning that disrupts a person's ability to experience, understand, and interpret reality. "The cause of psychotic disorders is not completely known," the report notes. "However, it is clear that they can result from a variety of factors, including genetics and other biological factors, as well as external stressors. Environmental factors also appear to play a role."

In some cases, the report notes that people develop psychotic disorders due to the effects of heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and arsenic. The report also said that "it is likely that both genetics and childhood trauma contribute to vulnerability to these disorders."

Numerous studies have found that people who have a family history of psychotic disorders are at greater risk of developing a psychotic disorder.

The National Academies report said it acts through many neural systems and pathways as other drugs that can cause psychosis, including amphetamines, cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco. This is why the report recommends increased regulation of cannabis similar to these other substances after legalization.

What are the symptoms of psychotic disorders?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and bipolar disorder. Symptoms of these disorders can change over time and can differ between people. Some symptoms that could indicate a psychotic disorder include delusions (believing something is real that isn't) or hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that isn't there). These experiences usually involve only one sense, such as hearing voices.

Side effects of cannabis?

Marijuana can be addictive and associated with long-term mental health problems for some people. These side effects can change in dependence, tolerance, or with a different use. The side effects can also be caused by smoking the drug or ingesting it.

Its metabolism causes many problems in the body, but it doesn't just affect organs and glands. Your cells will also be affected through a process called apoptosis—cell death. Your skin will also be affected by dry skin syndrome, which starts with redness and flaky skin.

It affects people's respiratory system and can lead to respiratory problems, such as increased asthma. This can be from smoking it or from ingestion. Inhalation causes inflammation in their lungs, irritating them, while ingestion can cause edema or swelling in the lungs.

The cardiovascular system is also affected by Its use. The drug causes an increase in heart rate and can cause palpitations and fluctuations in blood pressure. It can also affect people's nerves that control their blood vessels and heart rate, making them vulnerable to strokes and heart attacks.

It also affects people's liver and can cause liver damage. Ingested cannabis can cause hepatitis, jaundice, and liver fibrosis, which hardens the tissue. Ingested cannabis can get into their bloodstream and cause further damage to their organs. Its use can also affect how the body metabolizes sugars. THC is stored in fat cells, which means they will be hungrier after using it than they were before.

Its use can affect people's kidneys and blood. This damage is due to the presence of THC in their blood, which can lead to mild or severe effects. Ingested cannabis can also cause anemia due to its effect on the liver, while smoking can cause a shortage of red blood cells and lower the number.

Along with these side effects, you may experience a decrease in mental abilities such as memory, reasoning ability, verbal comprehension, and attention span in people who use it regularly.

Cannabis mental health?

The use of cannabis products plays out differently for different people. Using marijuana may lead to some people feeling more relaxed, but chronic use can impact your ability to regulate your moods, which will ultimately impact your mental health. Its use - especially the use of marijuana edibles - may also cause a bad trip when people use the drug, which can be a problem for anyone with mental health issues.

Studies have found that Its use can lead to mental health problems, such as psychotic illness, schizophrenia, and depression. It also impacts the way your brain regulates your moods. Its use can also increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder—for instance, people who develop bipolar disorder early in life are more likely to start using its later. They may become anxious if they take it for a long time.

In conclusion, the question of does Cannabis Cause Schizophrenia is still in dispute and is the subject of many studies. It can be said with confidence that the evidence does not favor it causing schizophrenia. However, it may trigger symptoms for individuals who have a genetic predisposition. It's important to note that it has never been known to cause more severe psychiatric symptoms than what would ordinarily be expected during an individual's natural development.