Topline
Teens who use cannabis have a significantly higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to those who don’t, according to a study published in the journal Psychological Medicine Wednesday, the latest research linking the drug to mental health disorders among young adults.
Other research has linked the drug to mental health disorders in young adults.
Key Facts
Teens aged 12 to 19 who used cannabis had an 11 times higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to teens not using cannabis, according to an analysis of health data for 11,000 teens and young adults aged 12 to 24.
The study did not find an association between cannabis use and psychotic disorders in people aged 20 to 33.
The data—pulled from the annual Canadian Community Health Survey from 2009 to 2012—looked into hospitalizations, emergency room visits and outpatient visits, and researchers followed up with the participants for additional visits to the doctor, the emergency room or other hospitalizations in the nine years after the survey.
Among the teens who visited the emergency room or were hospitalized for psychotic disorders, about 5 in 6 reported using cannabis previously, researchers said.
Teens who use cannabis might be at a higher risk of developing psychotic disorders because the drug disrupts the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate bodily functions like sleep or mood, resulting in symptoms like hallucinations, according to the study.
Though there is a strong yet age-dependent association between cannabis use and psychotic disorders, researchers noted it’s hard to say whether there is a direct link, as it’s possible the teens were self-medicating with cannabis to treat symptoms of psychotic disorders before they were clinically diagnosed.
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Big Number
29%. That’s the percentage of high school seniors in the U.S. who reported using cannabis over the previous year, according to the annual Monitoring the Future Survey in 2023, which reports drug and alcohol use among adolescent students.
Key Background
Other studies in recent years have linked psychotic disorders in young adults to cannabis. In a study published last year, researchers found young men who used cannabis have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia compared to young women. A year earlier, researchers found there was “considerable evidence” linking cannabis use and depression among adolescents. The study also suggested the link was caused by a disruption of the endocannabinoid system. In 2018, researchers called for additional drug prevention programs targeting cannabis use in teens, after data indicated cannabis use could result in increased anxiety.
Tangent
Last week, the Justice Department moved to reclassify marijuana—listed as a Schedule I drug like heroin, LSD and ecstasy—as a Schedule III drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act. The designation, if approved, recognizes marijuana as having potential medical benefits, which could allow for future studies on the drug’s potential benefits. The proposal still requires approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Further Reading
Rachel Carter is a health and wellness expert dedicated to helping readers lead healthier lives. With a background in nutrition, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.
