Marijuana Use Linked With Risk for Psychosis in Later Life
A new study by Désirée Lie, MD, MSEd published in Medscape in August of 2007, systematic review of longitudinal studies suggests there is sufficient new evidence that the use of cannabis (marijuana) increases the risk for later psychotic illness by roughly 40%. The study showed a trend towards an increased risk for depression in people who had used cannabis, but the evidence was not as strong.
Psychosis is a generic psychiatric term for a mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.
The general public has considered cannabis to be relatively harmless in comparison with alcohol and opioids, however, the potential long-term hazardous effects of cannabis with regard to psychosis seem to have been overlooked, and there is a need to warn the public of these dangers, as well as to establish treatment to help young frequent cannabis users
We applaud the doctors, scientists and clinicians that continue to learn more about drug use and the brain. Addiction is a disease, whether a person is physically addicted to a drug or psychologically dependent on gambling, food, love, sex, pornography, computers, work, exercise, cutting, and shopping. We continue to learn more about the functioning of the hypothalamus and the production and release of endorphins within the brain.
We are not responsible for our addiction but we are responsible for our recovery. That is why we work so hard at Wonderland Center to help our clients find recovery and learn to live clean, sober, happy and productive lives. It is amazing to be sober!