Researchers in Denmark worked with the US National Institutes of Health on a study showing a link between cannabis use and schizophrenia in young people, particularly young adults. The research adds to medical professionals’ growing concerns about cannabis use among younger generations.
The study was published in the academic journal Psychological Medicine earlier this month. The researchers surveyed nearly 7 million people and said: In conclusion, this study finds strong evidence for an association between CUD and schizophrenia among both males and females, and the magnitude of this association appears to be consistently greater among males. than females, especially among those 1625 years old.
In this case, CUD is an abbreviation that means cannabis use disorder.
The researchers also said they found a strong correlation between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia in males between the ages of 21 and 30.
While cannabis use disorder doesn’t account for the majority of cases in which people have schizophrenia, the researchers said it appears to contribute a not inconsiderable and steadily increasing percentage over the past five decades.
How does marijuana affect teenagers?
Other research shows a link between cannabis use and mental health conditions in younger generations. NBC News said teens who use cannabis only recreationally are two to four times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders, including depression and suicidal tendencies, than teens who don’t use at all, in a Columbia study. cannabis. Current research shows correlation, but does not show causation.
Ryan Sultan, lead researcher on the study, said in a press release: “There is a perception among young people, parents and educators that occasional cannabis use is benign. We were surprised to see that cannabis use had such strong associations with mental health and negative life outcomes for adolescents who did not meet the criteria for having a substance use condition.
Study author Frances Levin said: “Exposure of developing brains to addictive substances appears to prime the brain to be more susceptible to developing other forms of addiction later in life. She said that while teens might turn to marijuana as a way to relieve symptoms of depression, its use will likely exacerbate their symptoms instead of alleviating them.
Another study reported by News Medical found that 18- to 21-year-old female college students who used cannabis were more vulnerable to depression, anxiety and stress than men who used cannabis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said: In 2019, 37 percent of U.S. high school students reported a lifetime use of marijuana, and 22 percent reported using it in the past 30 days. The CDC also said that marijuana use has been linked to mental health conditions such as depression and social anxiety. Early marijuana use has also been linked to schizophrenia.
How does marijuana affect adults?
Younger generations aren’t the only ones who may experience ill effects from cannabis use.
The US Department of Health and Human Services said that even though cannabis use is increasing among all adult populations, knowledge of its negative impacts is not increasing at the same rate.
There is a risk of addiction, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, especially since currently used marijuana may be stronger than previously used due to overall growth in the amount of THC used. Among its negative effects, it can lead to a decrease in IQ, has been linked to mental health conditions, and may even help reduce life satisfaction and relationship problems.
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