Munchies override Psychotic, EVERYTIME
Posted on 12/01/2004 1:38:50 PM PST by DouglasKC
Psychotic symptoms more likely with cannabis
16:58 01 December 04
NewScientist.com news service
Using marijuana in adolescence and early adulthood can cause psychotic symptoms later in life, a new study suggests. The risk of developing these symptoms is “moderate”, say researchers, though is higher in people with a pre-disposition to psychosis.
Up to a third of people develop signs of psychosis at some point during their lives and several studies have already linked cannabis use with psychotic symptoms. But it is often difficult to decipher whether cannabis really triggers psychotic symptoms - such as hearing voices and paranoia - or whether people with mental health problems are more likely to “self medicate” and use cannabis.
A team led by Jim van Os of the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands followed 2437 people aged between 14 and 24. After four years, 21% of cannabis users had experienced psychotic symptoms compared with 15% of non-users. And the more a participant used cannabis, the more likely they were to develop symptoms.
Family history
The risk appears greatest for those with a predisposition to psychosis, as evidenced by mild signs of psychosis at the outset of the study. Within this group - about one-tenth of the total - 51% of users experienced symptoms compared with 26% of non-users.
he definition of psychosis used in the study was very broad, including occasional symptoms that would not require hospitalisation. Even so, van Os thinks the results have public health implications. “If you have a personal or family history of mental illness, you’re at risk of negative effects of cannabis smoking,” he says.
Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope in the UK, agrees: "Frequent use, a predisposition to mental health problems and starting at an early age all increase the risk of adverse effects. This research underlines that there are potentially serious health risks associated with cannabis use, particularly for young people.”
Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, UK, notes that cannabis smoking accounts for about 8% of serious cases of psychosis.
Wish someone would forward this article to Bill Bennett since he was talking about this subject this morning on his radio show.
Using marijuana in adolescence and early adulthood can lead to listening to horrible music.
Don't look now, but the dope-smoking Liberalitarians are going to be all over you like white on rice for posting this. Same goes for the self-medicating potheads.
"Psychotic symptoms more likely with cannabis ."
Hence the modern Democratic party.
I think this is an important question to answer. That way, those poor people can get the help they need to become productive, responsible citizens.
Reefer Madness was right after all!
Munchies override Psychotic, EVERYTIME
Uh-oh! Now the pot idiots are going to show up.
So this explains MrLeRoy.
This is just plain stupid.
No causal evidence exists.
The fact of the matter is
psychotics have been known
to have a greater predilection toward
illegal drugs of all types.
The puritannical tyrants pull this
out of their hats perennially.
I heard voices looooong before I started getting baked.
No, it's too late in the afternoon, by now they have overdosed on Twinkies.
I get psychotic when I don't have any weed.
Don't look now, but the dope-smoking Liberalitarians are going to be all over you like white on rice for posting this. Same goes for the self-medicating potheads.Kind of proves the point, though, doesn't it?
Teehee!
I don't think anyone whould argue with that. How about letting recreational use by heatly adults be permitted then. You know, like we do for alcohol. Frequent use of Alcohol, predisposition to mental disorders and drinking at an early age increases adverse effects too.
Or they're still out looking to score some weed.
I'm just reporting the news...
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