Cannabis and Mental Health


Medical cannabis is supported by a large number of people. However, there is still fear among us that cannabis, even medical cannabis, could be harmful. Mentions that it causes mental health disorders such as psychosis or schizophrenia mostly appear in popular media.






In the United Kingdom, medical cannabis is supported by both the public and politicians. They are in favor of making it available to patients who could benefit from it. A 2016 survey by Populus revealed that 68% of British residents support this proposal. Last year, a law change regarding medical cannabis legalization in England was met with widespread enthusiasm and praise.


Cannabis and Mental Health


Many healthcare professionals are still hesitant about its safety level. These concerns led to the current reluctance of NHS doctors to prescribe newly legalized substances. Many patients "use" medical cannabis to treat a wide spectrum of health problems, including alleviating mental health symptoms. We find ourselves in a paradoxical position where some use cannabis to improve mental health, while others see it as a trigger for these disorders, not a cure.


Media Prejudices

Many media outlets or platforms revel in shouting phrases like: "Cannabis use can lead to psychosis and even schizophrenia." or "Cannabis leads to mental problems!".

Such statements result in polarized opinions that are helpful neither to the public nor to doctors.

The truth can only be seen through evidence full of cannabis research and experiments. For example, new evidence regarding the effectiveness of CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and its help for people with schizophrenia. An experiment published in the American Journal of Psychiatry examined a six-week CBD treatment for a group of people whose psychotic symptoms were reduced during treatment.





Limited Evidence

Currently available evidence is very limited, but it opens doors to further research on treatment effectiveness for a wide range of health problems (physical and mental).

Claims that cannabis contributes to schizophrenia or psychosis are now more like empty phrases, as this topic is constantly repeated. To get rid of ingrained opinions, we must entrust everything to serious scientists and start discussions based on available evidence that supports its effectiveness and functionality.


Genetics Play a Role

The connection between cannabis and psychosis does exist, but it only applies to individuals who are continuous users of high THC content or have innate predispositions for psychosis development. One of the latest studies confirms that genetics plays a 69% to 84% role in this case.

From self-report questionnaires, it was found that 19% of adult users who use cannabis daily or every other day are at the highest risk and have a high risk of developing these disorders. Other important factors influencing these problems include THC usage frequency and age.

Available results show that most cannabis users did not experience psychosis and did not develop schizophrenia. Therefore, they are not putting themselves in danger.


Ingrained Opinions

In all discussions about psychosis and cannabis, the importance of social and structural factors that play a significant role in public health is often overlooked. In conversations about these risks, these factors were not considered. These include poverty, childhood trauma, or abuse. Many of these induce stress, which is a known creator of psychosis.


If all possibilities to improve quality of life are not explored, it will be a catastrophe for all potential patients and a massive failure for doctors, citizens, and politicians.


Article Authors: Dr. Caroline MacCallum (Clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine at UBC, Medical director at Greenleaf Medical Clinic)
Dr. Jenna Valleriani (CEO National Institute for Cannabis Health and Education, Executive Director Hope for Health Canada)


Article Source: healtheuropa.eu
Image Sources: pixabay.com (authors: Serena Wong, Wokandapix)

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