USA Cannabis use in adolescence linked with risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders, major study finds

A large-scale study has found that teenagers who use cannabis go on to have more than double the risk of developing serious mental health conditions in early adulthood.

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[GreenRed]

uh huh... key thing to me is:

"The researchers acknowledged that reverse causation cannot be ruled out entirely, as some individuals may use cannabis to self-medicate early symptoms of psychiatric disorders before formal diagnosis."

I am always saying, if cannabis would be the actual cause and not a result, we'd have psychotic breakdowns running on the streets basically everywhere.

 

[acidliam]

It's a bit from column A and a bit from column B, IMO.

There is absolutely a link between adolescent consumption and poorer mental health outcomes, and I don't think we can categorically say that 100% are kids self-medicating.
Regardless if its causation or correlation, the outcome is the same. Prohibition does nothing to mitigate the risks, as kids are smoking weed regardless.

 

[GreenRed]

Blaming an actual psychotic disorder on cannabis (when causality is not yet established) is a big jump from "poorer mental health issues", all I am saying.

I also don't think kids should smoke, I started fairly late and I am grateful for that. But I just can't believe bud is making them bipolar, if they didn't have an underlying serious mental health issue anyway.

 

[Hazy-Haze]

I started at 17, but know people that were smoking it and taking harder psychedelics at 14 and not the mushy type either. One friend at school was doing mdma at 14. Those IMO will give you more acute psychiatric issues and did for them. But nevertheless I think you shouldn't be doing cannabis until you are at least 16 unless you have a very valid reason to, like Epilepsy.

 

[GreenRed]

I know what you mean. I started at 18 and was a very light occasional user first, until my early-mid 20s when I more and more became a daily.

Let's just say the difference is indeed noticeable in my cognitive function and mental stability compared to some of my otherwise awesome friends, who started toking and drinking at 13-14.

 

[Hazy-Haze]

Yeah i didn't drink until 17 either. i didn't really reach heavy smoking proportions until I got to Uni at 29 and then it was one of two things that got me through Uni. The other is commonly prescribed for ADHD. Those two things made Uni possible. Before them i had no concentration and no focus, plus a massive amount of anxiety. But as ever it's the upper/downer paradox. Using both doesn't lead to good places. I would keep the cannabis for weekdays and the other for homework on the weekends.

 

[BringBackBubblegum]

Chicken and egg scenario. Do drugs cause mental illness, or are you using drugs because of mental illness?

I have noticed that most people on mental health meds smoke (tobacco at least). These meds mess with dopamine, so my take is people are smoking to get that dopamine back. Also, in the UK it can take decades to get the correct diagnosis. There's so many factors to this.

 

[OldBloke]

It's a bit from column A and a bit from column B, IMO.

There is absolutely a link between adolescent consumption and poorer mental health outcomes, and I don't think we can categorically say that 100% are kids self-medicating.
Regardless if its causation or correlation, the outcome is the same. Prohibition does nothing to mitigate the risks, as kids are smoking weed regardless.

Agree partly, but could you clarify your meaning with regard to "Regardless if its causation or correlation, the outcome is the same."
For me correlation does not mean causation. Thanks

 

[acidliam]

Agree partly, but could you clarify your meaning with regard to "Regardless if its causation or correlation, the outcome is the same."
For me correlation does not mean causation. Thanks

I'm not sure what you want me to clarify?

 

[OldBloke]

I'm not sure what you want me to clarify?

Causation establishes cause & effect, correlation refers to a relationship between two or more dynamics that occur at the same time and may trigger changes in each other.

There can be no situation, imho, where the two can result in the same change in a process whatever that may be, so I am interested as to how you come to your conclusion.

I am quiet likely to be wrong so would like to hear, thanks