Frequent Marijuana Use Ups Risk of Psychosis Says Study

1. Frequent Frequent Marijuana Use Ups Marijuana Use Ups Risk Risk of of Psychosis, Says Study Psychosis, Says Study A psychotic breakdown during adolescence or early adulthood is normally unlikely but not unheard of. Psychosis is related to sensory experiences like delusions (believing in things that aren’t true) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there) that impair relationship with the reality. Since psychosis is often linked to schizophrenia, people generally believe that this condition is responsible for triggering such a problem. However, most cases of psychosis in adolescents are not a result of schizophrenia but a combination of several factors that could raise a teenager’s vulnerability to psychosis. According to a study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, adolescents who transition from occasional to weekly or regular marijuana witness an increase in the risk of experiencing recurrent psychotic-like episodes by 159 percent. The Canadian study has found that marijuana consumption affects a teenager’s development and the emergence of psychotic-like experiences are the potential warning signs of depression. use of cognitive Marijuana affects cognitive abilities The study lead author, Josiane Bourque, a doctoral student at Université de Montréal's Department of Psychiatry, and her supervisor hypothesized that frequent marijuana use could compromise the development of cognitive abilities and aggravate psychotic-like experiences. As a result, it is a major health concern. Although the above hypothesis was only partially proven, the researchers discovered that the development of inhibitory control was the only cognitive function that is put in harm’s way when an individual increases his or her daily pot quota. Since inhibitory control refers to the capacity to withhold and inhibit automatic behaviors by replacing them with appropriate behaviors, one runs an increased risk of developing substance abuse. www.sovteens.com

2. Even the study explains that this specific cognitive function is a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. Besides the impairment of inhibitory control, the surge of negative thoughts and low mood can explain the relationship between marijuana use and psychotic- like experiences. With approximately 4,000 high school adolescents participating in the study, its results were derived from a project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The teenagers were followed from Grade 7 to 11 on an annual basis. For four consecutive years, the participants filled out computerized questionnaires to assess substance use and psychiatric symptoms. They also performed cognitive tasks that gauged their IQ, working memory, long-term memory and inhibitory control skills. In addition, the researchers validated their results from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and found that: • 8 percent of the general population of teens in Montreal reported recurrent psychotic-like experiences. Marijuana use between ages 13 and 16 in the 8 percent group who reported recurrent psychotic-like experiences can be explained by the emerging symptoms of anxiety, depression or substance use that impact the development of cognitive skills. • “Our results show that while marijuana use is associated with a number of cognitive and mental health symptoms, only an increase in symptoms of depression such as negative thoughts and low mood could explain the relationship between marijuana use and increasing psychotic-like experiences in youth,” said Bourque. The study findings are of particular interest to prevention programs for youngsters struggling with persistent psychotic-like experiences. The researchers allude that the implementation of prevention measures not only delay persistent marijuana use, but also lower the risk of psychosis in youngsters. Take preventive measures to tackle addiction While evaluating children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems, health care providers should also keep an eye on any underlying threat for addiction. Marijuana, one of the most commonly abused illicit drugs in the U.S., can cause an array of health complications, including both mental and physical health. Therefore, it is necessary to enunciate effective preventive programs to tackle the menace of marijuana abuse. If you or your loved one is battling an addiction to any substance, it is imperative to seek help. Sovereign Health is a leading provider of treatment for substance abuse, mental disorders and dual diagnosis. It also specializes in delivering evidence-based intervention plans at our state-of-the-art teenage drug addiction rehab centers.Call at our 24/7 helpline number 866- 615-7266 to know more about the teen drug abuse treatment. www.sovteens.com