A recent study has found that young individuals who use high-potency cannabis between the ages of 16 and 18 are twice as likely to experience psychosis by their mid-twenties compared to those who use lower-potency strains. This groundbreaking research highlights the urgent need for public health education and policy adjustments to address the mental health risks associated with stronger forms of cannabis.
Key Takeaways
- Young people using high-potency cannabis are twice as likely to experience psychosis.
- The study utilized data from the Children of the 90s project, tracking thousands of participants from Bristol.
- The research underscores the need for better public health messaging and policy changes.
The Study’s Findings
The study, conducted by the University of Bath, is the first longitudinal examination of early adolescent psychosis measures and detailed cannabis potency. It utilized data from the Children of the 90s study, which has been tracking thousands of participants from Bristol for over 30 years.
Key findings include:
- Participants who used high-potency cannabis reported a doubled rate of psychotic experiences compared to those using less potent forms.
- 10.1% of high-potency cannabis users developed new psychotic symptoms post-use, significantly higher than the 3.8% using lower-potency variants.
- The concentration of THC in cannabis has increased by 14% from 1970 to 2017, making high-potency cannabis varieties like skunk more prevalent.
Implications for Public Health
The findings highlight the significant mental health risks associated with stronger forms of cannabis. Dr. Lindsey Hines from the University of Bath Department of Psychology emphasized the importance of understanding the long-term effects of higher-potency cannabis use in young people. "Young people using higher-potency forms of cannabis are twice as likely to have experiences associated with psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions," she said.
Call for Action
The researchers are calling for better evidence on the long-term outcomes of high-potency cannabis use and measures to reduce the potency of cannabis available to young people. Dr. Hines stated, "Cannabis is changing, and higher-potency cannabis is increasingly available. We need to improve messaging and information available to young people on the impacts of cannabis use in the 21st century."
Conclusion
This study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that high-potency cannabis use is associated with an increased likelihood of psychotic experiences. The urgent need for public health education and policy adjustments cannot be overstated, as the mental health risks for young people continue to rise with the increasing availability of high-potency cannabis.
Sources
- High-Potency Cannabis Linked to Youth Psychosis – Neuroscience News, Neuroscience News.
