Almost a third of schizophrenia cases in young men triggered by cannabis use.
Heavy use of the drug described as ‘a major public health issue’ despite an increasing number of countries embracing legalisation
Young men with a serious cannabis addiction are at increased risk of developing schizophrenia, a new study suggests.
Experts estimate that nearly one third of cases of schizophrenia in 21 to 30-year-olds were triggered by cannabis use disorder.
Cannabis use disorder is thought to impact around 1 in 200 people, and relates to problematic cannabis use where people cannot control their intake and suffer withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug.
A new study led by Danish researchers analysed the health records of nearly seven million people over 50 years and found a strong link between schizophrenia and serious cannabis addiction.
As many as 30 per cent of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21 to 30, and 15 per cent of cases in 16 to 49-year-olds, could have been prevented by preventing cannabis addiction, they estimate.
Health concerns ‘require urgent action’
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness in which people appear to have lost touch with reality. DT.
