Marijuana Use Linked to Aggressive Behavior in Mentally Ill Patients
Researchers from the University of Montreal have published the results of a study examining the effects of regular marijuana use on people suffering from mental disorders. The report states that cannabis use can provoke aggressive behavior.
Marijuana Use Triples Incidents of Violent Behavior
The specialists analyzed data from patients with severe mental illnesses and found that cannabis abuse significantly increases the likelihood of anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, manic episodes, and psychosis. Smoking marijuana worsens the symptoms of mental disorders and triples the number of violent incidents among mentally ill patients. The researchers discovered that the degree of symptom worsening depends on the dosage and duration of cannabinoid use. They are confident that there is a causal relationship between marijuana use and the exacerbation of symptoms.
The university team also conducted a study involving 1,460 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Over a period of one and a half years, the participants visited doctors and reported their drug use every three months, and underwent tests for aggressive behavior every six months. The study period was divided into three phases:
- Six months before the first test
- Six months after the first visit
- Six months after the second visit
Participants were grouped as aggressive/non-aggressive and as users/non-users of marijuana, stimulants, and alcohol. The researchers adjusted for secondary factors such as age, education, and marital status, and created a model showing the relationship between marijuana use and aggressive behavior (with figures representing standardized coefficients).
Why Does Cannabis Trigger Hostility in Mentally Ill Patients?
Doctors have not determined the exact cause of violent behavior in mentally ill patients who regularly smoke marijuana, but researchers have proposed two hypotheses. The first suggests that withdrawal syndrome may be responsible, occurring when a person stops using cannabinoids or reduces the dosage after long-term use. Typical withdrawal symptoms include increased hostility, irritability, and anger, which can drive patients to commit violent acts.
The second theory is that marijuana use alters the symptoms of mental disorders, making the patient’s condition more unstable and leading to more frequent displays of aggression.