Cannabis and psychosis in adolescence

In the largest unselected, population-based study on this topic to date, researchers from Finland observed “Cannabis use is associated with prodromal symptoms of psychosis in adolescence.”

First, the details.

• In 6330 adolescents, marijuana use and prodromal symptoms of psychosis were recorded at age 15–16 years.
• Examples of prodromal symptoms
• Feeling like something strange or inexplicable was taking place
• Suspecting they were being influenced or followed
• Difficulty in controlling the speed of thoughts

And, the results.

• Those who tried cannabis (about 6% of the total) were more likely to show 3 or more prodromal symptoms even after controlling for confounders including previous behavioral symptoms.
• More smoking was associated with more symptoms.

The bottom line?
Teenage cannabis users are more likely to suffer psychotic symptoms that raise the risk of full-blown mental illness in later life.

6/9/08 21:28 JR