Cannabis use linked to psychotic-like experiences in youth.
Cannabis use in youth linked to more frequent psychotic-like experiences.
Why it matters
- Cannabis use in adolescence may increase the risk of psychotic-like experiences.
- Understanding this link is crucial as cannabis becomes more accessible.
By the numbers
- Study included 217 adolescent twins (14-24 years old).
- 62 recreational cannabis users vs. 155 non-users.
- Psychotic-like experiences more frequent in cannabis users.
The big picture
- The association is not explained by structural changes in the salience network.
- Unique environmental influences play a significant role.
What they're saying
- Debate on causation: does cannabis cause psychotic-like experiences, or vice versa?
- Skepticism about industry influence on study results.
- Questions about the nature of "individual environmental factors."
Caveats
- Observational study; cannot determine causation.
- Small sample size for a neuroimaging study.
- Self-reported cannabis use may be inaccurate.
What’s next
- Future studies may examine genetic risk and early-life stress interactions.
- Longitudinal studies needed to clarify causation.