Study Debunks Myth About MJās Impact on Mental Health
Many opponents of cannabis claim that it negatively affects the human brain and causes psychosis. However, a new study conducted by scientists from Switzerland and the United Kingdom disproves these assumptions. The research found that cannabis rarely triggers acute episodes of psychosis in people without pre-existing mental health disorders.
The meta-analysis, published in the journal Nature: Mental Health, covered 162 studies involving more than 210,000 cannabis users. The results showed that the risk of psychosis is most pronounced in people who already have mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder. Early cannabis use, frequent consumption, or choosing specific strains were not linked to the development of psychotic symptoms.
According to the researchers, about 0.5% of cannabis users may experience a psychotic episode during their lifetime. This risk is comparable to the rates of psychosis caused by alcohol, for example.