Cannabis and Mental Health
Studies of discordant twins have tested the hypothesis that the association is explained by a shared genetic vulnerability to use cannabis and other illicit drugs. Researchers assessed the association between cannabis and other illicit drug use in monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs in which one twin had used cannabis before the age of 17 years, and the other had not. The twin who had used cannabis was more likely to have used other illicit drugs than was their co-twin who had not, and the association persisted after controlling for non-shared environmental factors.
Animal studies suggest some ways in which the effects of cannabis could predispose cannabis users to use other illicit drugs.
First, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin all act on the brain reward centre in the nucleus accumbens.Second, the cannabinoid and opioid systems in the brain interact with each other.
Cannabis and mental health
Cannabis use has been associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders. A 15-year follow-up of over 50,000 male conscripts reported that those who had tried cannabis by age 18 years were 2·4 times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than those who had not.
Chronic cannabis use can produce a dependence syndrome in as many as one in ten users. Regular users have a higher risk of chronic bronchitis and impaired respiratory function, and psychotic symptoms and disorders, most probably if they have a history of psychotic symptoms or a family history of these disorders. The most probable a dverse psychosocial effect in adolescents who become regular users is impaired educational attainment. Adolescent regular cannabis users are more likely to use other illicit drugs, although the explanation of this association remains contested. Regular cannabis use in adolescence might also adversely affect mental health in young adults, with the strongest evidence for an increased risk of psychotic symptoms and disorders.
Source: Review | www.thelancet.com | Vol 374 October 17, 2009
Adverse health effects of non-medical cannabis Use by Wayne Hall, Louisa Degenhardt
For over two decades, cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, has been the most widely used illicit drug by young people in high-income countries, and has recently become popular on a global scale. Epidemiological research during the past 10 years suggests that regular use of cannabis during adolescence and into adulthood can have adverse effects. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies have established an association between cannabis use and adverse outcomes. We focus on adverse health effects of greatest potential public health interest—that is, those that are most likely to occur and to affect a large number of cannabis users. The most probable adverse effects include a
dependence syndrome, increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, impaired respiratory function, cardiovascular disease, and adverse effects of regular use on adolescent psychosocial development and mental health.
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