Question

As cannabis is being legalized in more places, do you think we'll see an uptake of schizophrenia diagnosis's in result of increased use?

Answer 1

Cannabis may cause schizophrenia symptoms to start earlier in life, too. Typically, men show signs of the disorder in their late teens to early 20s, and women in their late 20s to early 30s. Using marijuana may make symptoms show up as much as 3 years earlier.

The age at which you start using marijuana also might make a difference. Earlier use, especially during the teen years, may mean a greater chance of having schizophrenia, perhaps because your brain is still developing during this time.

If you have a parent or sibling with schizophrenia, you already have a higher chance of getting the disease. Using cannabis can make your odds even worse, taking them from one in 10 to one in five.

A Therapeutic Effect?

Although the marijuana ingredient THC is thought to trigger psychosis, another component, cannabidiol (CBD), seems to fight it.

In one study, people with schizophrenia who were treated with CBD saw their symptoms improve and had fewer side effects than those who took traditional antipsychotic medications.

It’s important to note, though, that these people were treated with a medical product in a supervised, clinical setting. That’s not the same thing as smoking weed on your own at home.

What’s the Best Advice?

Although the exact nature of the marijuana-schizophrenia link is still murky, doctors know enough to offer some guidelines:

• It’s wise for teens to avoid marijuana or delay using it until they are adults.
• If you have schizophrenia, don’t use marijuana.
• If you have a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illness, avoid marijuana.
• If you are a caregiver for someone who has schizophrenia and uses marijuana, encourage them to quit.