Marijuana and Schizophrenia
Some new insights on the link between marijuana and schizophrenia:
Conclusions by Prof @CarstenHjorthoj from Copenhagen at #RCPsychIC22:
– incidence of #cannabis-induced psychosis has increased
– schizophrenia cases attributable to cannabis has increased
– cannabis may account for 25% of SCZ in young men
– cannabis major modifiable risk factor
Marijuana-related schizophrenia isn’t exactly new information, but the fact that cannabis may account for 25% of schizophrenia in young men is astounding.
Compare this to a prominent study from 2014:
Cannabis and psychosis: Neurobiology
Cannabis is a known risk factor for schizophrenia, although the exact neurobiological process through which the effects on psychosis occur is not well-understood. In this review, we attempt to develop and discuss a possible pathway for the development of psychosis. We examine the neurobiological changes due to cannabis to see if these changes are similar to those seen in schizophrenic patients the findings show similarities; however, these mere similarities cannot establish a ‘cause-effect’ relationship as a number of people with similar changes do not develop schizophrenia. Therefore, the ‘transition-to-psychosis’ due to cannabis, despite being a strong risk factor, remains uncertain based upon neurobiological changes. It appears that other multiple factors might be involved in these processes which are beyond neurobiological factors. Major advances have been made in understanding the underpinning of marijuana dependence, and the role of the cannabinoid system, which is a major area for targeting medications to treat marijuana withdrawal and dependence, as well as other addictions is of now, it is clear that some of the similarities in the neurobiology of cannabis and schizophrenia may indicate a mechanism for the development of psychosis, but its trajectories are undetermined.
Cannabis is involved in approximately 50% of psychosis, schizophrenia, and schizophreniform psychosis cases. Cannabis is a known risk factor for schizophrenia, although the exact neurobiological process through which the effects on psychosis occur is not well understood.
This new information is telling. The “may account for” is much more significant than “involved in”. One implies direct cause-effect, whereas the other is a secondary side-note. We’re getting closer to seeing the full picture, and that full picture likely has an even higher blame on marijuana that initially assumed.
We already know that marijuana is linked with significant changes in the brain. We just don’t know the full extent of it yet. But I’m sure it’ll be very telling when it comes out, similar to what happened when the addictiveness and damages of tobacco came out.
My family has personally been impacted by Big Weed. I have a close family relative that smoked weed near daily and ended up developing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and brain swelling (a cerebral edema) from his usage. He quit smoking but still has the cyclic vomiting syndrome off-and-on that debilitates him for weeks at a time. He is practically disabled when the cycle hits, as he can’t move without serious nausea/vomiting. But you never hear about those cases from the weed industry.
We’ll have to see if Big Weed will deal with the same repercussions as Big Tobacco did once the truth comes to light. But I doubt it, because the state would love for us to all be dependent, brain dead, basket-cases.
No one teaches these hard topics on marijuana usage. Most are a bit too focused on using weed to treat their “anxiety”. Or passing off CBD as a cure-all for everything from hypochondriac fibromyalgia to cancer.
I’m still of the opinion that any lessening of pain or anxiety from weed is simply because of the deadening of the brain. But that must have a consequence—Deadening your brain can never be a good thing long term.
I used to smoke occasionally when I was younger, as I’m sure most of us did in my age bracket. Now I get to spend the rest of my life hoping that it didn’t cause some long-term damage that will re-awaken as I age. I get all of that worry for no real benefit, because I never even found it enjoyable. It’s not a pleasant experience to not be able to think clearly. I find that true whether it’s weed, other drugs, or alcohol. A little buzz can be alright, but being drunk or high is miserable.
Never understood the thrill in those pursuits. I like my own mind; I don’t want to escape it.
This new study just adds further proof to my initial observation on the damage from getting stoned. Smoke too much and you just may become schizo. Given the amount of youth smoking today, I hypothesize that our schizo and the mentally ill population will grow quite large in the coming decades.
They’ll need to smoke more weed just to escape the weed-induced mental health disorders.
Let’s not go down that path. The leftists can take it for us, we should take the other route. We’re called to be sober-minded, not baked out of our minds.
Don’t do drugs, kids.
Read Next:
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