poledriver
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Marijuana only rarely causes psychosis, says expert
There appears to be only a low chance of developing psychosis as a result of using cannabis, a review of existing research has suggested.
After a review of existing research, Ian Hamilton, a lecturer in mental health at York University, concluded that stopping people using the drug would have a relatively low impact on the public's mental health.
"The link between cannabis and psychosis has been investigated by researchers since the drug became popular in the 1960s," Mr Hamilton told The Independent.
"A new review of research carried out since then has concluded that ‘at a population level the increased risk is weak and the vulnerabilities relatively rare'.
"To put this in perspective we would need to prevent 23,000 people using cannabis to prevent one case of psychosis."
However, Mr Hamilton stressed there were “caveats” to this overall picture.
“Most of the seminal studies on this link were carried out when people were using lower potency cannabis,” he said.
“Few studies have been conducted since the emergence of higher potency cannabis sometimes referred to as 'skunk’.
“Higher potency cannabis contains less cannabidiol (CBD), which is believed to offer some protection from developing problems such as psychosis, but higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can trigger psychosis.”
He also warned heavy users of the drug were more likely to experience mental health problems.
Continued with comments -
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
There appears to be only a low chance of developing psychosis as a result of using cannabis, a review of existing research has suggested.
After a review of existing research, Ian Hamilton, a lecturer in mental health at York University, concluded that stopping people using the drug would have a relatively low impact on the public's mental health.
"The link between cannabis and psychosis has been investigated by researchers since the drug became popular in the 1960s," Mr Hamilton told The Independent.
"A new review of research carried out since then has concluded that ‘at a population level the increased risk is weak and the vulnerabilities relatively rare'.
"To put this in perspective we would need to prevent 23,000 people using cannabis to prevent one case of psychosis."
However, Mr Hamilton stressed there were “caveats” to this overall picture.
“Most of the seminal studies on this link were carried out when people were using lower potency cannabis,” he said.
“Few studies have been conducted since the emergence of higher potency cannabis sometimes referred to as 'skunk’.
“Higher potency cannabis contains less cannabidiol (CBD), which is believed to offer some protection from developing problems such as psychosis, but higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which can trigger psychosis.”
He also warned heavy users of the drug were more likely to experience mental health problems.
Continued with comments -
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
