Effects of persistent cannabis use on depression, psychosis, and suicidality following cannabis‐induced psychosis: A longitudinal study
The American Journal on Addictions September 1, 2025 Valerio Ricci, Domenico De Berardis, Giovanni Martinotti et al.
People who keep using cannabis after a first episode of psychosis have persistently higher depression and suicidal thoughts than those who stop, even when psychotic symptoms improve. The study followed 44 people aged 16-50 in northern Italy for 9 months. Those who continued cannabis had slower recovery from psychotic symptoms and higher relapse rates (59.9% vs. 18.8%). Overall functioning improved only in those who stopped cannabis. The authors argue that continued use is linked to treatment-resistant depression, pointing to the need for integrated care.