Pubdate: Sat, 20 Feb 2016
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2016 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Christopher Ingraham, The Washington Post

STUDY: POT CAN'T MAKE YOU BIPOLAR

New research published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found 
that using marijuana as an adult is not associated with a variety of 
mood and anxiety disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder.

This is a challenge to some previous research that has shown that 
marijuana use is associated with depression and anxiety.

The researchers examined the records of nearly 35,000 U.S. adults who 
participated in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and 
Related Conditions. The study did find an association between 
marijuana use and later substance use disorders, such as abuse of 
alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs. But this isn't 
necessarily surprising: It's fairly obvious that if you use a 
substance, you're putting yourself at risk of a substance-use disorder.

The new study does not address a previously observed link between 
heavy marijuana use and schizophrenia.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom