Young men at highest risk of schizophrenia linked with cannabis use disorder: study

LOS ANGELES, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Young men with cannabis use disorder have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia, according to a study published on Thursday.

The study, published in Psychological Medicine, analyzed detailed health records data spanning 5 decades and representing more than 6 million people in Denmark to estimate the fraction of schizophrenia cases that could be attributed to cannabis use disorder on the population level.

Researchers found strong evidence of an association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia among men and women, though the association was much stronger among young men.

Using statistical models, the researchers estimated that as many as 30 percent of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21 to 30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disorder.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, and the symptoms of schizophrenia can make it difficult to participate in usual, everyday activities, according to the study.

However, effective treatments are available for both cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia.

"The entanglement of substance use disorders and mental illnesses is a major public health issue, requiring urgent action and support for people who need it," said Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse and study coauthor.

"As access to potent cannabis products continues to expand, it is crucial that we also expand prevention, screening, and treatment for people who may experience mental illnesses associated with cannabis use," Volkow said.