Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Cannabis Use-Related Adverse Psychosis Outcomes: A Public Mental Health-Oriented Evidence Review
Journal of dual diagnosis July 3, 2023 Benedikt Fischer, W. Hall, T. Fidalgo et al.
Cannabis use is increasingly normalized, and psychosis is a major adverse health outcome. This review identifies risk factors for cannabis-related psychosis: genetic predisposition, mental health and substance use histories, early age of first use, high frequency of use, high THC potency, mode of use, and co-use of other substances. The protective effects of CBD are uncertain. Continuous cannabis use may worsen psychosis treatment and medication effects. Combinations of risk factors further amplify the odds of adverse psychosis outcomes. Reducing these risk factors, short of abstinence, may decrease the risk of psychosis and protect cannabis users' health.