Cannabis increases the risk of developing schizophrenia

A longitudinal register-based cohort study combining the European version of Europ-ASI interviews and the Swedish inpatient register showed that cannabis use was a risk factor for primary psychosis.

Illustrasjonsfoto: Colourbox.no

 

The study included 6217 individuals who were in the Swedish criminal justice system from 2001 to 2006. The purpose of this study was to determine long-term risk factors for substance-induced and primary psychosis after release from prison.

Polydrug use was the strongest predictor for substance-induced psychosis but all substances imposed an increased risk. Previous psychiatric hospitalization and non-drug related hallucinations were significant, but weaker, risk factors. The only substance variable that predicted primary psychosis was cannabis but previous psychiatric hospitalization and non-drug related hallucinations were even stronger predictors.

The study shows that cannabis use was a risk factor for primary psychosis, but other health related individual risk factors were even more important. Polydrug use was the strongest risk factor for substance-induced psychosis.

 

Read the full article in Schizophrenia Research 

Published Nov. 4, 2015 7:30 AM - Last modified Sep. 8, 2023 10:11 AM