If cannabis is getting stronger, why arent cases of schizophrenia rising?
Most people who smoke pot enjoy it, but a smaller proportion experience psychotic-like symptoms, such as feeling suspicious or paranoid. The question that polarises researchers is whether smoking cannabis is associated with a risk of developing psychotic problems, such as schizophrenia, in the long term.
Of course, cannabis use is common, while schizophrenia is relatively rare, affecting less than one per cent of the population. Even if cannabis use were to double the risk, over 98% of cannabis users would not develop schizophrenia. Researchers have to tread carefully in evaluating the evidence and avoiding scaremongering.
Although several studies suggest that cannabis users have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia, one key point remains hotly contested. Since the 1960s, cannabis potency and rates of use have risen in many Western countries with high-potency strains now dominating the market. If cannabis were a cause of psychosis, we would expect that, as this increased, rates of schizophrenia would increase alongside it. But this has not happened.
Still not settled
Although this topic was debated by two eminent British psychiatrists, David Nutt and Robin Murray, in The Guardian and by others in Nature, it remains contested whether a cause-and-effect relationship between smoking cannabis and schizophrenia truly exists.
Perhaps we lack sufficient records of schizophrenia cases to show a robust correlation. It has also been argued that not all effects follow causes. For example, although obesity in the West is increasing and is a known cause of heart disease, the risk of suffering fatal heart disease is going down. The reason for this is a third factor: treatments for heart disease have improved and are saving more lives. If cannabis potency is increasing and rates of schizophrenia are not, a similar third factor may explain this.
continues:
https://theconversation.com/if-cannabis-is-getting-stronger-why-arent-cases-of-schizophrenia-rising-93032
= new reply since forum marked as read
Just what in the name of all that’s good is this “legal” cannabis you speak of? I’m, of course, being sarcastic here. If I can get a drs recommendation, for a mere $250.00, I could get myself a med card. Did I mention there’s a shortage of the recommending drs here in Maryland’s eastern shore? No card =‘s no cannabis! I’ve often heard that cannabis is oh, so easy to find. Well not for this, almost but not quite, senior citizen. No connections also =‘s no cannabis!
We can assume that if he did, he might, maybe be a better person.
Henry Jacob “Harry” Anslinger for. Not happy with just banning its use here, in America, that sanctimonious prick took it worldwide, via 1961’s UN Single Convention on illegal drugs, cannabis being at the top of the list. If there’s a hell I surely hope that piece of dogshit is “dancin with the devil.”
