Cannabis Increases The Risk Of Psychotic Break By 40%
The consumption of marijuana and other cannabis derivatives is a common phenomenon today, especially in the young population.
There is a popular idea that cannabis is a substance that carries very few risks as it is “natural” and more or less traditional in some areas, so it is generally consumed without great concern about its possible side effects. However, it has been shown that the consumption of this type of substance does carries high health risks
Specifically, the review and analysis of different research reflects that there is a link between cannabis and psychotic disorders, having been indicated by demonstrating that cannabis increases the risk of suffering a psychotic break, in some cases by up to 40%
Cannabis and its derivatives are one of the most consumed illegal drugs worldwide, especially in Western society. Extracted from the plant Cannabis sativait is a type of substance that would be considered within the group of psychodysleptic drugs psychoactive substances that produce a modification of mental activity without this being considered totally excitatory or inhibitory.
In the specific case of cannabis, there is generally an increase in activity first and in a short time a state of relaxation and sedation occurs, along with other symptoms such as increased appetite or motor incoordination.
This drug can be found in very different ways depending on the parts of the plant used, the best-known derivatives being marijuana and hashish
Its use dates back to ancient times, used as a medicinal and relaxing plant and even today it is used to combat some symptoms of diseases, such as the presence of vomiting, seizures and even anorexia or lack of hunger (not to be confused with anorexia nervosa, which would be the psychological disorder) that occurs in patients with different disorders.
However, regardless of its medical properties, a large number of people use cannabis as a form of entertainment and relaxation due to the widespread idea that it is a drug whose consumption carries few risks. This consideration is due to the fact that cannabis and its derivatives They do not have as many physiological effects as other drugs and the fact that it is generally considered that they do not cause too much dependence unless their consumption is daily.
It is generally consumed by inhalation through cigarettes , although sometimes it is consumed orally (for example, the case of the well-known maria cakes). In general, its consumption occurs more frequently in adolescence and early adulthood, and is less frequent at older ages.
Increased risk of psychotic breaks
As we have seen previously, consuming cannabis is considered to have no risks or very low risks. However, the analysis of various research indicates that, although it has a lower risk than other substances, the consumption of cannabinoids causes a serious increase in the possibility of suffering psychotic breaks.
And the administration of this substance frequently causes the presence of auditory hallucinations or persecutory delusions , which, although generally temporary, can remain or trigger the repetition of subsequent psychotic outbreaks. In fact, one of the investigations indicates that cannabis increases the possibility of awakening a psychotic disorder by up to 40%, It could be much higher if consumption is daily
Although it is considered that cannabis does not cause psychotic disorder itself, it is a risk factor that can end up being a trigger for this That is to say, there is a genetic predisposition to suffer an alteration of this type, a predisposition that may or may not be expressed.
Cannabis and schizophrenia
In this case, cannabis consumption is a factor that increases the risk of its expression, its risk being much higher than that of other substances. Thus, a person who has probably never had an outbreak has a very high probability of developing it. And one of the disorders associated with this consumption and psychotic breaks is schizophrenia, a severe disorder that can cause a high level of interference in daily life. Other research shows that many schizophrenic patients who consume cannabis have had their first psychotic episode up to seven years earlier than the average indicates
Other risks of marijuana use
The period of life in which cannabinoid consumption usually occurs must also be taken into account, which usually begins in adolescence and early adulthood. In this age the organism is still in formation and process of change having a greater reactivity to reward and punishment than at other vital moments, making the brain more vulnerable and affected by long-term changes.
In addition to this, it must be considered that cannabis does not only affect the beginning of a psychotic outbreak, but also includes the course and prognosis of outbreaks and disorders, demonstrating that in general the consumption of cannabis interferes and makes treatment difficult and in the long run it facilitates relapse and the appearance of new psychotic outbreaks in treated patients.
In conclusion, it is necessary to take into account and pay special attention to the risks posed by cannabis consumption, fighting the idea that it is something harmless
And it has been documented that cannabinoids can cause amotivational syndrome, have carcinogenic properties and in the long run can cause respiratory problems and sexual dysfunctions, in addition to the spectacular increase in the risk of presenting psychotic outbreaks.
