Association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia stronger in young males than in females
- Breathe Free USA
- May 17
- 1 min read
Conclusions of this register based study of over 6 million individuals in Denmark aged 16-49 led researchers to conclude that:
Strong evidence exists that there is an association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and schizophrenia among both males and females.
This association is stronger for males than for females, especially in the 16-25 year age group.
It is estimated that at least 15% of cases of schizophrenia could be prevented by avoiding CUD.
In males 21-30 or even up to age 40, the proportion of cases of schizophrenia caused by CUD may be as high as 25-30 percent.
There have been continued increases in cannabis legalization, THC concentration and total doses consumed, prevalence of cannabis use and CUD and a decrease in perceived harms of cannabis.
Researchers conducting this study highlight the importance of "evidence-based strategies to regulate cannabis use and to effectively prevent, screen for and treat CUD as well as schizophrenia."
Author: Carsten Hjorthøj, Wilson Compton, Marie Starzer, Dorte Nordholm, Emily Einstein, Annette Erlangsen, Merete Nordentoft, Nora D. Volkow and Beth Han
