© 2001 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
SUBSTANCE MISUSE PAPERS |
Psychiatric effects of cannabis
Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF. Tel: 020 7919 3123
Declaration of interest This review was commissioned and funded by the Department of Health, but the findings are those of the author alone.
See editorial, p. 98, this
issue.
ABSTRACT
Background Cannabis is commonly regarded as an innocuous drug and the prevalence of lifetime and regular use has increased in most developed countries. However, accumulative evidence highlights the risks of dependence and other adverse effects, particularly among people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders.
Aims To re-evaluate the adverse effects of cannabis in the general population and among vulnerable individuals, including those with serious psychiatric disorders.
Method A wide-ranging review of the topics related to these issues.
Results and conclusions An appreciable proportion of cannabis users report short-lived adverse effects, including psychotic states following heavy consumption, and regular users are at risk of dependence. People with major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are especially vulnerable in that cannabis generally provokes relapse and aggravates existing symptoms. Health workers need to recognise, and respond to, the adverse effects of cannabis on mental health.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  Z. Atakan Cannabis use by people with severe mental illness - is it important? Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., November 1, 2008; 14(6): 423 - 431. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Papathanasopoulos, L. Messinis, E. Lyros, A. Kastellakis, and G. Panagis Multiple Sclerosis, Cannabinoids, and Cognition J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, February 1, 2008; 20(1): 36 - 51. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Feix and G. Wolber Intoxication and Settled Insanity: A Finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, June 1, 2007; 35(2): 172 - 182. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J. Seamon, J. A. Fass, M. Maniscalco-Feichtl, and N. A. Abu-Shraie Medical marijuana and the developing role of the pharmacist Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., May 15, 2007; 64(10): 1037 - 1044. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D T Wade, P M Makela, H House, C Bateman, and P Robson Long-term use of a cannabis-based medicine in the treatment of spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, September 1, 2006; 12(5): 639 - 645. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Pacher, S. Batkai, and G. Kunos The Endocannabinoid System as an Emerging Target of Pharmacotherapy Pharmacol. Rev., September 1, 2006; 58(3): 389 - 462. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Quickfall and D. Crockford Brain Neuroimaging in Cannabis Use: A Review J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, August 1, 2006; 18(3): 318 - 332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. J. K. Wadsworth, S. C. Moss, S. A. Simpson, and A. P. Smith Cannabis use, cognitive performance and mood in a sample of workers J Psychopharmacol, January 1, 2006; 20(1): 14 - 23. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Arendt, R. Rosenberg, L. Foldager, G. Perto, and P. Munk-Jorgensen Cannabis-induced psychosis and subsequent schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: follow-up study of 535 incident cases The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2005; 187(6): 510 - 515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. H. Ashton, P. B. Moore, P. Gallagher, and A. H. Young Cannabinoids in bipolar affective disorder: a review and discussion of their therapeutic potential J Psychopharmacol, May 1, 2005; 19(3): 293 - 300. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Arendt Review: current evidence does not show a strong causal relation between the use of cannabis in young people and psychosocial harm Evid. Based Ment. Health, November 1, 2004; 7(4): 119 - 119. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. J. K. Wadsworth, S. C. Moss, S. A. Simpson, and A. P. Smith Factors Associated with Recreational Drug Use J Psychopharmacol, June 1, 2004; 18(2): 238 - 248. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Arseneault, M. Cannon, J. Witton, and R. M. Murray Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence The British Journal of Psychiatry, February 2, 2004; 184(2): 110 - 117. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Iversen Cannabis and the brain Brain, June 1, 2003; 126(6): 1252 - 1270. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. COFFEY, J. B. CARLIN, M. LYNSKEY, N. LI, and G. C. PATTON Adolescent precursors of cannabis dependence: findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2003; 182(4): 330 - 336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Zammit, P. Allebeck, S. Andreasson, I. Lundberg, and G. Lewis Self reported cannabis use as a risk factor for schizophrenia in Swedish conscripts of 1969: historical cohort study BMJ, November 23, 2002; 325(7374): 1199 - 1199. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. van Os, M. Bak, M. Hanssen, R. V. Bijl, R. de Graaf, and H. Verdoux Cannabis Use and Psychosis: A Longitudinal Population-based Study Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2002; 156(4): 319 - 327. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M. REY, M. G. SAWYER, B. RAPHAEL, G. C. PATTON, and M. LYNSKEY Mental health of teenagers who use cannabis: Results of an Australian survey The British Journal of Psychiatry, March 1, 2002; 180(3): 216 - 221. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. R. MacQueen Pragmatic approach to the dangers of cannabis use The British Journal of Psychiatry, September 1, 2001; 179 (3): 270 - 271. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. FARRELL and B. RITSON Cannabis and health The British Journal of Psychiatry, February 1, 2001; 178(2): 98 - 98. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. H. ASHTON Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review The British Journal of Psychiatry, February 1, 2001; 178(2): 101 - 106. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|