Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2005
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2005 News World Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MARIJUANA INCREASES RISK OF PSYCHOSIS

Christchurch, New Zealand, - New Zealand scientists say
smoking marijuana virtually doubles the risk of developing mental
illnesses such as schizophrenia.

The University of Otago team, in a study published recently in the
journal Addiction, followed over 1,000 people born in 1977 for 25
years, interviewing subjects when they were 18, 21 and 25, the BBC
reported Tuesday.

They analyzed their findings to take into account the possibility
illness encouraged people to use more cannabis, rather than the drug
contributing to their condition.

The scientists found psychotic symptoms were more common among
cannabis users, and added the link was not likely to be due to people
with mental illness having a greater wish to smoke cannabis.

Rather, cannabis may increase the chances of a person suffering
psychosis by causing chemical changes to the brain.

The researchers also took into account factors such as family history,
current mental disorders and illicit substance abuse.
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