Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis. It’s suggested that genetic variation in the AKT1 gene might influence this adverse effect. Researchers at Kings College London, in the UK, studied the connection.
Proponents of the use of medical marijuana like to start speeches and articles by quickly stating that cannabinoids are of proven value in treating many diseases. Poppycock. This site has stated repeatedly: not true, not true, not true. Now the evidence is in, and we were right. JAMA confirms that the evidence supporting the effectiveness … Continue reading Up in smoke: Medical marijuana debunked
Researchers at Tel Aviv University, in Israel, focus on the positive in this small study.
Here’s what we know from the results of The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual population-based survey. As you read this post remember that despite prevailing views, smoking marijuana is not safe. Stopping this habit and preventing it’s consequences is difficult. Consider contributions toward sobriety of services such as the North Carolina … Continue reading Marijuana: Main driver for increased substance use
Cannabis is considered a cause of psychotic illness, interacting with genetic and other environmental risk factors. Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center, in The Netherlands, investigated whether an urban environment contributes to the effects of adolescent cannabis use on psychosis risk.
Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center, in the Netherlands, studied the use of cannabis in adolescence and their risk for psychotic outcomes.
Researchers at Prince of Wales Hospital, in New South Wales, Australia, reviewed the evidence to determine the extent to which use of cannabis, alcohol, and other psychoactive substances affect the age at onset of psychosis.
Research suggests that cannabis use has a negative effect on onset and outcome of schizophrenia. Now, researchers at Eli Lilly Nederland at Houten, The Netherlands report, “cannabis users experienced less satisfaction with life and had a lower probability of having a relationship compared with nonusers.”
People with schizophrenia frequently report benefit from cannabis use. Yet, cannabis may be a risk factor for schizophrenia. Researchers from the University of Bergen, in Norway reviewed the medical research for a connection.
Attorney General Eric Holder says the US Justice Department will no longer raid medical marijuana clubs. His declaration is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Barack Obama, and marks a major shift from the previous administration. In fact, there’s scant support for medical marijuana based on medical science. Here’s what’s been published in just … Continue reading Marijuana: Politics trumps reality
Dr. Cecile Henquet, of the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology at the University of Maastricht, presented a summary of what we know during the 23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress. Here are the highlights of an interview on Medscape.
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, hypothesized that cannabis use (or a cannabis use disorder) at a younger age relates to a high-risk symptoms at a younger age. And a second study comes to rather odd conclusions about marijuana and schizophrenia severity.
Writing on Medscape, Dr. Michael Compton reviewed the effects of marijuana.
Researchers from Australia report that early use of marijuana is a risk-modifying factor for psychosis in young adults.
It was reportedly effective when used in addition to pain treatment in patients with medically refractory pain due to HIV. But as Paul Harvey said, “Now, the rest of the story.”
In contrast to the anecdotal reports of benefit with cannabis, this study from researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada uncovers the downside of street cannabis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
 Early onset of psychosis is associated with a history of lifetime cannabis abuse or dependence, according to researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Researchers from Spain and Boston studied the relationship between age and cannabis use in patients with a first psychotic episode.
Earlier this year, a study published by researchers at Texas A&M Health Science Center concluded, “Consistent with other studies of the liberalization of cannabis laws, medical cannabis laws do not appear to increase use of the drug.” Gee wiz. I guess that’s the end of that debate. Not really, as I debate the issue with … Continue reading Debate: Don’t be fooled into legalizing marijuana
In the largest unselected, population-based study on this topic to date, researchers from Finland observed “Cannabis use is associated with prodromal symptoms of psychosis in adolescence.”