New research from Europe, released on Tuesday, has found that the daily use of marijuana, especially high potency strains, is connected to an increase of developing psychosis.
A European study has looked at cannabis use in 11 major cities and Brazil, is the first to show the impact of marijuana use on rates of psychosis.
London and Amsterdam had the strongest link to psychosis where marijuana that contains over 10% THC, the psychoactive part of the drug, is available.
The research found that in Amsterdam, half of all new cases of psychosis were linked with high potency use while in London, one-third of new cases were linked with high potency use.
“Our findings are consistent with previous studies showing that the use of cannabis with a high concentration of THC, also known as skunk-like cannabis, has more harmful effects on mental health than weaker forms,” said lead author Dr. Marta Di Forti, from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College, in London.
“For the first time we have consistent evidence that there is a dose-dependent relationship between cannabis use and induced psychosis at a population level. The more cannabis you consume the more likely you are to develop a psychotic disorder.”
“THC is the culprit in the psychotic events,” said Di Forti.
