Smoking marijuana can lead to schizophrenia
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway found that the use of cannabis causes temporary nonpsychotic cognitive impairment leading to long-term psychosis.
Using magnetic resonance imaging, experts found that brain activity in patients with schizophrenia who previously used cannabis, differs from the brain activity of the same patients, without cannabinoid dependence.
The results support the theory of researchers that cannabis-using patients with schizophrenia may in fact have higher cognitive abilities than those who have never experienced it. This difference may indicate that the susceptibility to psychosis in schizophrenics with cannabinoid dependence is different from the usual.
"These differences suggest that under the influence of cannabis in mentally healthy people, cognitive impairments that cause schizophrenia are imitated," explains Marie Loberg, lead author of the study.
26 patients who participated in the study, tried to solve complex problems, while experts made them magnetic resonance imaging. For example, doctors simultaneously spoke different syllables in different ears and asked patients, focusing on one of the sounds, to reproduce it. This is a complex task for every person, and for schizophrenic patients it is difficult doubly because they suffer from a violation of attention and concentration, and also experience difficulties in processing verbal signals.
The study shows that schizophrenic patients, with previous cannabis use, were consistent and had higher levels of brain activity during these tests, as well as more correct answers.
The results are consistent with the findings of researchers from Bergen who support the idea that cannabis-dependent people with schizophrenic disorder do not appear to suffer from the same neurological-cognitive impairments as other patients with schizophrenia.
This means that the use of cannabis leads non-psychotic individuals to schizophrenia, imitating cognitive weakness, which is a major risk factor for the development of a psychological state.
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