Cannabis and psychosis: accumulating evidence
David M. Fergusson
Addiction September 15, 2004 DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00841.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Cannabis |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key points | The commentary states that Stefanis et al. (2004) provide evidence of a dose-response association between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms: rates of symptoms increased with increasing cannabis use, and early cannabis use appeared to have a greater impact on later risks of psychotic symptoms. The authors endorse the study's large representative sample, multidimensional symptom measurement, control for reverse causality via distress, and adjustment for comorbid depression. |
Abstract
The report by Stefanis et al. (2004) adds to the evidence linking the heavy use of cannabis with increased risks of psychosis or psychotic symptoms. The advantages of this study include: a large and representative sample; measurement of multiple dimensions of psychotic symptoms; statistical control for reverse causality mediated via distress; and adjustment for comorbid depression. The study produces evidence of a dose/response association between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms in which: (a) rates of symptoms increased with increasing use of cannabis; (b) the early use of cannabis appeared to have a greater impact on later risks of psychotic symptoms.