One of TV’s favorite medical personalities is weighing in on the “deeply troubling” findings coming from a recent study on marijuana use.
“When this first came out, I was actually a little skeptical. It seemed like too much for me,” addiction medicine expert Dr. Drew Pinsky said on “The Bottom Line” on Friday. “We’ve always known that marijuana was associated with psychotic episodes, but suspicion before that most people were already headed that way, maybe that’s why they used the drug.”
But according to data from recent analyzes and studies, people who have at least one psychotic episode after using cannabis are almost 50% more likely to develop schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and the risk is even higher for teenagers and young adults.
“Especially in states where it’s legal for recreational use, the concentration of marijuana is so amazing, it’s approaching 100% that, literally, it’s a different drug, it has a different effect on people,” explained Dr. Drew. “And now, often, we see hyperemesis, people who have these episodes of vomiting that are uncontrollable.”
“It’s a lot more common than weed,” he continued. “And psychotic episodes have become increasingly common to the point where it’s actually a hallmark of the psychosis these kids are getting from weed.”
Dr Drew said that the new results from the cannabis survey were worrying. Getty Images People who experience at least one psychotic episode after using cannabis are almost 50% more likely to develop schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Shutterstock
A 2017 American Journal of Psychiatry study found that the risk of developing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is highest for cannabis users aged 16 to 25, and has a greater influence than alcohol, opioids, amphetamines and hallucinogens.
This week, analysis from Truveta highlighted how cannabis use disorder diagnosis rates were over 50% higher in November compared to the same time in 2019. There was also a nearly 50% increase in the number of cannabis-related emergency room visits.
Twenty-five US states have decriminalized and currently recognize marijuana as a recreational drug, which Dr. Drew warns it could open the door to easier access for young adults.
“You’re fighting a deep cultural bias where they’ve really been taught to believe that tobacco is far worse than cannabis, and they’re right in terms of alcohol, in terms of effects on overall health, in terms of carcinogenicity, in terms of years lost work, yes, the cumulative effects of alcohol are worse than marijuana. But marijuana is also not good,” he said.
Twenty-five US states have decriminalized and currently recognize marijuana as a recreational drug. Shutterstock
“Now we have a very high concentration of cannabis,” added Dr. Drew, “we’re starting to see a real problem with unexpected psychotic episodes and more addictions. I have family members who are in recovery from cannabis addiction.”
The mental health and addictions expert added that he personally knows the “devastating consequences” of cannabis abuse, seeing firsthand a lifelong panic disorder.
“I don’t believe there are bad chemicals. I think there are things that are risky with any chemical that is related to humans,” said Dr. Drew. “And you just have to understand the risk.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
