Schizophrenia linked to marijuana use disorder is on the rise
edition.cnn.com
edition.cnn.com
> Prof David Curtis, Honorary Professor, UCL Genetics Institute, said: “While it is true that people diagnosed with schizophrenia are also more likely to be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, the reasons for this association are far from clear and it is extremely difficult to interpret results such as these with confidence. I am struck by two simple findings. In Denmark, the incidence in schizophrenia in 2016 was about the same as it had been in 1996 but over the same period of time the prevalence of cannabis use disorder increased nearly five-fold. If, as the authors suggest, cannabis use disorder can cause schizophrenia then there should have been a quite dramatic increase in schizophrenia incidence and we simply do not see that. So far as I can see, this study does not really provide support for the hypothesis that cannabis use causes schizophrenia. In fact, it seems to provide evidence that it does not.”
I personally think weed is overall better than alcohol for most people, and I wish it replaced drinking as the primary socially-accepted drug, but I'd like to know if I'm wrong, or to what degree.
If you're already a shut-in, and smoke nonstop for years, it will multiply the introversion, and schizophrenia-like symptoms are essentially inevitable. You will be too nervous to let anyone see you in this state of degraded capacity, and cope with it by just smoking more, it's a vicious cycle. If you have friends who don't mind your habits, or join you frequently, the risk is mostly neutralized.
I'm not saying cannabis will make you dumb forever, but I am saying there's evidence it can diminish your abilities for up to a week or two after use, which might be a lot for certain people such as students, academics etc.
I've never smoked, so can't say anything anecdotal. But, I found it interesting that this was something that might be determined (affected?) by our genes.
I've witnessed people have acute psychotic breaks after smoking strong cannabis for the first time, and met one man with schizophrenia who attributed his condition to his past cannabis use. Whether he's right I don't know, but the connection is at least well acknowledged nowadays.
It's also much more physically addicting in that your body needs it to function at some point.
I personally know two people that are schizophrenic and were long term heavy marihuana users, of course that's also anecdotal and in both cases there were other drugs involved aswell.
I don't think alcohol is better at all, it's actually really bad and culturally much more accepted. People start drinking really early and pretty heavily. The long term effects are not that obvious to most people.
I don’t think so since we are used to drunk people. You know how many people I’ve seen beating each other in a drunk rage? I have never seen that with smokers.
Thing is alcohol (for me at least) is a great social lubricant. Weed is the complete opposite, it just makes me paranoid and awkward. I know beer is bad for me but I can't lie, I enjoy meeting up with friends for drinks and I've had some great times drinking.
Anecdotal, my brother is schizoaffective. He exhibited signs as early as 18. Unfortunately, none of my family understood what those signs were until he was in his late twenties. Regular pot use didn’t negatively affect him, but he started getting into dabs and that’s when his symptoms began to manifest and he started becoming schizophrenic. If anything pot made his schizoaffective disorder worse, but he still already had it.
There's generally no need for anyone to prove that alcohol is normal or socially acceptable (in moderate amounts at least) in most of the world, because it already is.
And just in case you were wondering the original reefer madness was about racism.
Does long term self-medication of it for mental health disorders boosts their symptoms? Probably. Paranoia is a common side effect and I don’t think that’s very beneficial for someone who is already struggling.