Team of researchers urges further study and evaluation of standards for medical use.
Date: October 20, 2023 Source: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Summary: Cannabis use, even for medical purposes, could make some people sick due to harmful fungi that contaminate the plants. That is the finding of a recently published peer-reviewed journal article, whose authors recommend further study and consideration of changes to regulations to protect consumers, especially those who are immunocompromised. They examined data, previous studies, and U.S. and international regulations related to the cannabis and hemp industry.
Cannabis research has mostly focused on the substance and medical uses of the plant, but with the increased legalization of cannabis for various uses, this article addresses the need for more study of potential health risks.
"Although fungi and mycotoxins are common and well-studied contaminants in many agricultural crop species, they have been generally under-studied in cannabis and hemp. This is partly because human health risk assessment methodologies used to regulate food and pharmaceuticals have yet to become standard for the emerging cannabis and hemp industries. Additionally, the wide range of consumer uses of cannabis and hemp flowers, including for medical use by patients with susceptible conditions, makes it uniquely challenging to assess and manage human health risk of these contaminants".
This just one individual and health care system crippling outcome of cannabis use is unstainable for any healthcare system, free or paid for. The cannabis lobby and industry continue to deflect, as does the cannabis user, at this growing endemic and the outrageous expense it is incurring on non-drug using tax-payers.
A new study from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark has discovered the chronic use of marijuana is linked to as much as a four-fold increase in risk for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and associated psychosis.
The news is significant given the rapid increase in US states permitting recreational use of the drug…Although many Americans view pot use as relatively benign, new research is indicating a far greater risk than originally thought.
A study published in the journal Psychological Medicine and sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found a striking link between marijuana use and schizophrenia in young men, with indications use of the drug may be responsible for as much as 30% of cases. There was a similar link for females, but at a far lower rate, roughly 4%.
However, when the age cohort is lowered, indications are that there is a six-times greater risk for schizophrenia among teens who use the drug as little as once a week. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, examined marijuana use across the globe.
New research from University of Washington and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute estimates 21 percent of marijuana users had become addicted. The National Institute for Drug Abuse, (NIDA) has estimated that at least four million Americans have developed “marijuana use disorder” since cannabis became more widely available.
The increasing acceptance and legalization of cannabis use worldwide has underscored the need to understand its potential health implications. One area of significant concern is the association between cannabis use and schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by thought and emotional disturbances. This association is particularly important, given the global burden of schizophrenia, which affects more than 20 million individuals worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.1
A Mendelian randomization study by Vaucher, et al, provided observational evidence of an increased risk of schizophrenia associated with cannabis use.2 Rentero, et al, highlighted the importance of differentiating between cannabis-induced psychosis and schizophrenia for therapeutic purposes.3 Ortiz-Medina, et al, emphasized the need for more research to fully understand the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis.4
Urits, et al, found that about 1 in 4 patients with schizophrenia are also diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD), indicating a strong association between cannabis use and psychological disorders.5 Marconi, et al, reported a dose-response relationship between the level of cannabis use and the risk of psychosis, suggesting that higher levels of cannabis use could lead to long-lasting psychotic disorders.6
García Álvarez, et al, explored the impact of cannabis use on cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis, providing further evidence of the potential risks associated with cannabis use.7 Cohen, et al, discussed both the positive and negative effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on health, including their association with cognitive alterations, psychosis, and schizophrenia.8
In a comprehensive review published in The Lancet, Jauhar, et al, discussed the etiological and therapeutic challenges of schizophrenia, including the role of cannabis as a potential causative factor. They highlighted that cannabis and childhood adversity are areas of debate as causative factors for schizophrenia, emphasizing the need for further research in these areas.9
In their review, Lowe, et al, emphasized the need to gauge the potential impact of cannabis legalization on vulnerable populations, such as those with mental illnesses including schizophrenia. They discussed the potential for cannabis to induce long-term psychiatric effects, including the exacerbation of symptoms in individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia.10
Lastly, Hamilton discussed the complex interaction between cannabis, psychosis, and schizophrenia. He highlighted the need for a credible contribution to public health in light of increasing cannabis legalization. His study provided evidence of a dose-response relationship between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis, emphasizing that the risk increases with the frequency of use and the potency of cannabis.11
In conclusion, although the acceptance and legalization of cannabis continue to grow, it is crucial to consider the potential risks associated with cannabis use. The association between cannabis use and schizophrenia underscores the need for comprehensive public health policies and education to mitigate these risks. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interaction between cannabis use, psychosis, and schizophrenia
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