Research Study Links Schizophrenia to Marijuana Misuse
Cases of schizophrenia associated with marijuana misuse have seen a steady rise over the past two decades, according to a new study from Denmark published in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry. The Oxford Dictionary describes schizophrenia as a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion, and a sense of mental fragmentation.
The study based on data from Denmark's national health registry and included all people in Denmark born before December 31, 2000, who were 16 years or older at some point from January 1, 1972, to December 31, 2016, shows a steady increase in cannabis-involved schizophrenia diagnosis in the country since 1995, spiking from 2% to 8%.
Marijuana misuse and schizophrenia have one thing in common; psychosis. Psychosis is a disconnection with reality, a condition where the thought process is so disrupted that it can hardly tell what is real and what is not. However, this is not to say that cannabis is solely to blame for the rare but serious mental illness known as schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a complicated disease that can be caused by several factors, including viruses, poor nutrition, and genetics. It is natural for science to study the role of substance misuse in schizophrenia since the disease is basically the outcome of issues with key brain chemicals.
Carsten Hjorthøj, an associate professor at the Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health and co-author of the JAMA Psychiatry study wants people to know that cannabis use is not entirely harmless despite widespread public perception suggesting otherwise. Other researchers and academics echo Hjorthøj’s stance.
In an editorial for the European Journal of Public Health, Peter Allebeck, a Professor of Social Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet and medical officer at the Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm County Council, noted that while occasional recreational use of marijuana cannot be considered harmful to health, the health and social consequences of cannabis use should not be underestimated.
A 2019 study published in the US National Library of Medicine concluded that "heavy regular use of cannabis that begins in adolescence heightens the risk of long-term impairment of life and mental functioning." Perhaps, the main reason cannabis use is largely viewed by the public as a purely harmless recreational or medical activity is that, unlike drugs and alcohol, there are no documented deaths from a marijuana overdose.
Both proponents and critics of marijuana legalization agree that you're unlikely to die of a marijuana overdose. The reason is that unlike other drugs known to bind themselves to areas of the brain responsible for vital functions like breathing, marijuana primarily affects memory and coordination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, is quick to point out that while a fatal overdose is unlikely, marijuana use is not harmless. Another problem is that marijuana users often use other drugs, heightening the chance of risky interactions.
Nonetheless, there is a growing public perception of cannabis as harmless, especially these days that recreational use of the psychoactive drug is becoming legal in several states and available for medicinal purposes in many others. Hjorthøj agrees that it is unfortunate to view marijuana use as harmless more so now that multiple research studies are linking marijuana to impaired cognitive function, substance use disorders, and schizophrenia.
Although the JAMA Psychiatry research study is the most recent, previous studies have suggested an increased risk of schizophrenia for heavy cannabis users. Marijuana is legal for recreational use in nearly two dozen US states, and tens of millions of people use the drug around the world.
In Denmark where the study was conducted, marijuana use is illegal except for medicinal purposes, even though the country is witnessing a spike in recreational cannabis use and cannabis use disorder. Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), also known as cannabis addiction, is the continued use of the drug despite clinically significant impairment.
Symptoms of cannabis use disorder may include anxiety, irritability, depression, restlessness, disturbed sleep, gastrointestinal symptoms, and decreased appetite. Like Mark Kleiman, a drug policy expert at New York University’s Marron Institute, pointed out, "the main risk of cannabis is losing control of your cannabis intake."
Identifying and addressing the role of cannabis in schizophrenia is very important considering that 20 million people globally suffer from schizophrenia and there is currently no known cure, leaving medications and therapy as the only ways to manage the symptoms.
Multiple research studies may have found an increasing correlation between cannabis use and schizophrenia but there is no official estimate of the prevalence of schizophrenia in the United States. However, schizophrenia is a severe, disabling mental disorder that should be prevented at all costs.
Supporters and proponents of marijuana use and marijuana legalization argue that marijuana has medicinal benefits and is still less harmful than some of the drugs that are legal in the country but the fact remains that marijuana use can be a sort of gateway to other drug addiction, leading users to experiment with other more harmful drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Unfortunately, many of those who suffer from cannabis addiction do not seek medical treatment, and many others do not admit they have a problem. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications for the treatment of marijuana use disorder, but research is ongoing in this area.
Also, there are evidence-based treatment options for marijuana use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and a range of psychotherapeutic practices such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Treatment (MET), and Contingency Management (CM). If you or a loved one is struggling with cannabis use disorder or wants to take proactive steps to prevent marijuana addiction, this is a good time to get help.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 48 million Americans over the age of 12 used marijuana in the last year. The survey shows that more teens are using cannabis, but it also shows that they are seeking treatment. New Port Academy is an excellent Teen Rehab for Marijuana Addiction with multiple treatment facilities across the United States. Below is a list of top-ten rehab centers specializing in treatment for marijuana addiction.
Top Ten Marijuana Treatment Centers
1. The Ranch Tennessee
Address: 6107 Pinewood Rd, Nunnelly, TN 37137
The Ranch Tennessee utilizes science-based addiction treatment approaches to help individuals struggling with marijuana addiction.
2. Sierra Tucson
Address: 39580 S Lago Del Oro Pkwy, Tucson, AZ 85739
Sierra Tucson can provide you with the personalized treatment you need so that you can overcome cannabis use disorder and live the healthier life you deserve.
3. Hanley Center at Origins
Address: 933 45th St, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Hanley Center at Origins promotes a transition from substance use disorder to enhanced mental, physical, and spiritual health — at any age and any stage of life.
4. Cypress Lakes Lodge
Address: 1129 Highway 287 North, Woodville, TX 75979
Located on over 200 acres of private property, Cypress Lakes Lodge is lakeside providing a secluded, discreet, and healing environment to recover in comfort.
5. The Hope House Scottsdale
Address: 28901 N 114th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
The mission of Hope House Scottsdale is to provide its clients with all the tools necessary to confront their addiction at the source and heal the mind and body.
6. Mountain Springs Recovery
Address: 1865 Woodmoor Dr, Monument, CO 80132
Mountain Springs Recovery is proud of its experienced team of doctors, therapists, nurses, and other clinicians ready to provide their clients with the tools to treat substance abuse and create lasting recovery.
7. All Points North Lodge
Address: 2205 Cordillera Way, Edwards, CO 81632
All Points North Lodge is dedicated to providing measurable superior clinical outcomes and the highest quality experience in treating people with substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health struggles.
8. United Recovery Project
Address: 5900 Johnson St, Hollywood, FL 33021
United Recovery Project Florida offers unique intensive addiction treatment programs to help those struggling with the disease of addiction heal and recover.
9. Futures Recovery Healthcare
Address: 701 N Old Dixie Hwy, Tequesta, FL 33469
Futures Recovery Healthcare believes everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life which is why its fully credentialed and experienced staff provides unparalleled service to serve each person’s unique journey.
10. The Orchard on the Brazos
Address: 2548 Aylor Rd, Wallis, TX 77485
The Orchard on the Brazos is an adult co-ed residential substance use disorder treatment facility utilizing a blend of evidence-based and experiential treatment modalities.
Substance Use Treatment Centers
While it is true that marijuana use is not responsible for most cases of schizophrenia, it is responsible for a consequential proportion. If you're struggling with marijuana addiction or think you might be addicted to marijuana, it is important to seek professional help. Many other rehab centers specialize in treating marijuana addiction and offering low-cost treatment. You can check out Rehab Aid for an extensive list of substance use treatment centers around the country.
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