Study: Higher THC levels do not increase schizophrenia rates

Cannabis use has often been accused of triggering schizophrenia. But despite increased THC levels, the number of detected schizophrenia cases is not increasing. Why?

Most cannabis consumers have no problems with their use. A small portion, however, suffers from psychotic symptoms such as paranoia or schizophrenia.

Although several studies suggest that cannabis users are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia, one point remains largely disputed. Since the 1960s, rates of cannabis prevalence and potency have increased, but schizophrenia rates have not.

A recent study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, can explain that.

1231 cannabis consumers were interviewed about their consumption experience, and a «pleasure score» and «psychotic experience score» were calculated. Based on these scores, they were asked whether they would continue to consume cannabis or if they thought they would stop in the future.

Those who reported the most enjoyment have no intention of stopping. Those, on the other hand, who had unpleasant experiences have either already stopped or are considering doing so in the future. The conclusion is that consumers' experiences with cannabis condition their consumption, regardless of age, sex, mental health history, or other drugs used.

This also suggests that the people at risk are also the ones who quit. Other experiences suggest that schizophrenic individuals have more psychotic episodes when they consume cannabis than non-schizophrenic individuals. And they compensate for their risk of developing schizophrenia by no longer consuming cannabis.

As the author of the study, Musa Sami, points out, these conclusions are only hypotheses that could explain this persistence. around 11:00 a.m. schizophrenia despite the increase in cannabis use. He also highlights the need to focus on the small portion of consumers who continue to use cannabis despite their history or psychotic alerts, even if some consumers who are likely to develop schizophrenia stop.

Via The Conversation