Study finds genetic links between schizophrenia and cannabis use

And earlier research found that young people who smoke cannabis for six years or more are twice as likely to have psychotic episodes, hallucinations or delusions

So that's what's going on with Obama.

when calculating the economic and health impact of cannabis...

Both of which will be expensive.

This link between pot and schizophrenia has been well-established in several previous studies, the scary part is that people who have any family history or genetic predisposition toward schizophrenia have such a greatly increased risk of developing the disorder. On average, a marijuana smoker is 4.5 times more likely to develop schizophrenia than a non-user. For those with a family history or genetic predisposition, they are up to 10 times more likely to develop the disorder. About one-fourth of people have a genetic predisposition.

In addition to the above, marijuana users are 5 times more liklely to suffer from depression than non-users, and up to 4 times more likely to commit suicide.

"Just sat say no" indeed...

I'm not sure of the statistics but, if you're just comparing numbers, I would assume the numbers involving alchohol and tobacco usage could paint a darker picture.

The study is typical of work done attempting to understand schizophrenia. it is a diagnosis in the DSM, nothing more. It involves psychosis symptoms lasting 6 months. In the 1600's and 1700's London even the apparently severely mentally ill spontaneously remitted symptoms. There were no drugs or treatments then. Mental illness has not changed over the centuries. Where are those spontaneous remissions today? They are being claimed as positive outcomes for drug and talk therapy treatments.

Without understanding what schizophrenia is and what causes it the study looks at patient histories for common elements such as previous pot use. <VisionAndPsychosis.Net>

I could of told you that!

Schizophrenia is predetermined by a person's genetics. In other words if a person has a predisposition toward Schizophrenia and they smoke Cannabis, it will simply bring out this disorder and make it full blown because THC binds to Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptors, mimics the effects of Anandamide, and stimulates the release of various Neurotransmitters like Dopamine, GABA, and Serotonin. So in essence, the more one smokes, the more THC activates the release of Dopamine resulting in a high. So if a Schizophrenics brain has a problem with regulating Dopamine known for causing Hallucinations, it is obvious that THC will definitely cause a disruption in an already disrupted system. Therefore it is not the Cannabis that is causing the Psychosis, but the Cannabis that is bringing out a preexisting mental disorder. In the end this is why it is important for all people to know their genetic background before they begin using any type of substance!

Alcohol has been shown to bring out effects in people predisposed to schizophrenia as well. We as a society accept this risk, for most people who drink alcohol are not predisposed to schizophrenia, and therefore shouldn't have to pay for the risk to those who are predisposed. There is no reason why marijuana should be any different.

There is no reason why marijuana should be any different.

Schizophrenics are succeptible to becoming alcoholics, but unlike marijuana, alcohol use or abuse does not increase the likelyhood of developing schizophrenia. With 25% of people carrying the genetic potential of developing schizophrenia, marijuana must of course be treated differently.

Schizophrenia, defined as hearing voices in one's head, is a common symptom of the dissociative effect of PTSD caused by the experience of repeated overwhelming trauma in early childhood (usually the result of repeated sexual abuse). Other forms of mental illness are also common symptoms of undiagnosed PTSD from early childhood. This is the underlying cause of most psychiatric disorders, however the vested interests in life long drug treatment rule the psychiatric profession and denigrate the psychoanalysis that can lead to actual cures.

Marijuana relieves the chronic stress of those suffering PTSD, which is an obvious explanation to account for the association between mental illness and marijuana use. Unfortunately the irrational prohibition against marijuana has effectively prevented research looking at the beneficial effects of this ancient medicinal plant. That hasn't stopped many people from discovering it for themselves, despite the constant negative spin of officials and media reports like this article.

Schizophrenics are succeptible to becoming alcoholics, but unlike marijuana, alcohol use or abuse does not increase the likelyhood of developing schizophrenia.

Actually, that hasn't been proven.

With 25% of people carrying the genetic potential of developing schizophrenia, marijuana must of course be treated differently.

I've literally known hundreds, if not thousands, of people who smoked marijuana (it's legal where I'm from). I literally don't know a single person whoever developed schizophrenia. That's not to say it can't happen - studies have proven it can. But I know more people who have been killed by being hit by cars while walking along the road than I do people who developed schizophrenia after smoking marijuana.

That is to say, you're panicking for no good reason.