Young men who are heavy weed smokers could have a higher risk for developing schizophrenia, according to a new study.
The research, which was published on May 4 in the journal Psychological Medicine, found that a shocking 30% of schizophrenia cases among men aged 21 to 30 could have been thwarted if they had averted cannabis use disorder.
Scientists examined recent cases of schizophrenia, an abnormal interpretation of reality resulting in hallucinations, delusions or disordered thinking. The study’s authors stated that in 2021, CUD played an integral role in 15% of cases occurring in men aged 16 to 49, and in 4% of cases affecting women in the same age range.
CUD is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the inability to stop using marijuana despite negative impacts on one’s health and social life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, it affects 3 in 10 marijuana smokers.
it’s called a gateway drug for a reason.