Cannabis and the Developing Brain: A Study on the Risks of Psychotic Disorders in Youth

A recent study, led by André J. McDonald and his team of researchers, has revealed a significant age-dependent link between cannabis use and the risk of developing psychotic disorders, with adolescence identified as a particularly vulnerable time. Published by Cambridge University Press and available as an open access article at Psychological Medicine, the findings suggest that today's higher-potency cannabis might pose a greater risk than previously thought.

Study Highlights:

• Age Matters: Cannabis use was associated with over 11 times higher risk of psychotic disorders during adolescence (ages 12–19) but not during young adulthood (ages 20–33).
• Potency Concerns: The risk of psychotic disorders may be higher now, reflecting the rise in cannabis potency.
• Robust Data: The study linked survey data with health service records in Ontario, Canada, covering 11,363 respondents with a 6–9 year follow-up period.

The Research in Detail:

The study combined survey data from 2009 to 2012 with health service records up to 2018, focusing on respondents aged 12–24 at baseline without prior psychotic disorders. Researchers specifically measured the time to first hospitalization, emergency department (ED) visit, or outpatient visit for psychotic disorders.

Findings:

• Adolescence: Adolescents using cannabis had a significantly elevated risk (adjusted Hazard Ratio, aHR = 11.2) of developing a psychotic disorder.
• Young adulthood: In contrast, no significant risk was noted during young adulthood (aHR = 1.3).
• Severity of psychiatric episodes: When focusing on hospitalizations and ED visits, the risk during adolescence was even higher (aHR = 26.7).

Key Implications:

The study indicates that using cannabis during the developmental years of adolescence could disrupt the maturing brain. While causality cannot be definitively established due to the observational nature of the study, results do suggest that higher-risk populations should be targeted with evidence-based prevention strategies.

Limitations and Considerations:

• Single Measurement: Only one baseline diagnosis of cannabis use may lead to misclassification.
• Self-reporting: Data on cannabis usage was reliant on self-reporting, possibly underestimating actual use.
• Unrecorded Data: The study lacked details on THC potency and mode of use.

A Call to Action:

As jurisdictions worldwide consider changes to cannabis regulation, this research, although limited, strengthens the argument for proactive prevention programs for youths. Continuous research is needed to further understand the potential long-term effects of cannabis, especially as today's strains become increasingly potent.

For further insight into the study, find the original article here.

This article was brought to you in part thanks to Buoy Health

Note: The precision of these findings is conditional to further research.