Cannabis may be harmful to mental health. Experts explain why.
There have been a few studies about the impact of cannabis on mental health, and results have been mixed. Below are some of the major ones:
A study of more than 6 million Danes published in JAMA Psychiatry in May found that people who have cannabis use disorder (meaning, they’re unable to stop using marijuana) had a higher risk of having psychotic and non-psychotic depression and bipolar disorder. The researchers found that people with cannabis use disorder had almost twice the risk of developing depression and an up to three times greater risk of bipolar disorder.
A scientific review published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2016 found that people who use marijuana are more likely to develop temporary psychosis, as well as long-lasting mental disorders like schizophrenia. The link between schizophrenia and cannabis use was stronger in people who started using pot from a young age and continued to use it more frequently.
A 2021 review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry notes that people with serious mental health conditions use cannabis “at rates much higher than the general population.” The lifetime cannabis-use rates for patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are 80%, 17% and 24%, respectively, the review found. The researchers also found that about 40% of patients with schizophrenia and 20% of patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are also diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.
On the positive side, a 2020 research article published in BMC Psychiatry concluded that there is "encouraging, albeit embryonic" (meaning, early stage) evidence for using medicinal cannabis to treat a range of psychiatric disorders. The researchers noted that there is “tentative support” for using CBD to treat social anxiety; there are also case studies that suggest cannabis may help with sleep and post-traumatic stress disorder. The researchers pointed out that cannabis may help with ADHD as well.
Research has found that heavy marijuana use during the teen and young adult years can increase the risk of triggering the start of schizophrenia and psychosis. There is also evidence that regular marijuana use can speed up the start of symptoms of mood disorders like bipolar disorder and major depression, along with anxiety disorders — especially in younger people.
A study of more than 6 million Danes published in JAMA Psychiatry in May found that people who have cannabis use disorder (meaning, they’re unable to stop using marijuana) had a higher risk of having psychotic and non-psychotic depression and bipolar disorder. The researchers found that people with cannabis use disorder had almost twice the risk of developing depression and an up to three times greater risk of bipolar disorder.
A scientific review published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2016 found that people who use marijuana are more likely to develop temporary psychosis, as well as long-lasting mental disorders like schizophrenia. The link between schizophrenia and cannabis use was stronger in people who started using pot from a young age and continued to use it more frequently.
A 2021 review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry notes that people with serious mental health conditions use cannabis “at rates much higher than the general population.” The lifetime cannabis-use rates for patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are 80%, 17% and 24%, respectively, the review found. The researchers also found that about 40% of patients with schizophrenia and 20% of patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are also diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.
On the positive side, a 2020 research article published in BMC Psychiatry concluded that there is "encouraging, albeit embryonic" (meaning, early stage) evidence for using medicinal cannabis to treat a range of psychiatric disorders. The researchers noted that there is “tentative support” for using CBD to treat social anxiety; there are also case studies that suggest cannabis may help with sleep and post-traumatic stress disorder. The researchers pointed out that cannabis may help with ADHD as well.
Research has found that heavy marijuana use during the teen and young adult years can increase the risk of triggering the start of schizophrenia and psychosis. There is also evidence that regular marijuana use can speed up the start of symptoms of mood disorders like bipolar disorder and major depression, along with anxiety disorders — especially in younger people.
