Keep off the grass: Can cannabis affect your mental health?

On Oct 30, 2020

This video provides information about the association between cannabis and mental health. Studies have shown that cannabis use does affect depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. The video presents a real-life story about Carly, who shares about her experience of cannabis affecting her mental health. In addition, a psychiatrist shares her insight on the science behind the connection between cannabis use and schizophrenia. The video looks at the serious mental health effects that can be caused by cannabis use and encourages people to use discretion before using it.

This video was made by McMaster Demystifying Medicine students Ripley Antonacci, Sehar Arfeen, Monica Chu and Sabrin Salim.

References:

Cohen, K., Weizman, A., & Weinstein, A. (2019). Positive and Negative Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids on Health. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. doi:10.1002/cpt.1381

Crippa, J. A., Zuardi, A. W., Martín-Santos, R., Bhattacharyya, S., Atakan, Z., Mcguire, P., & Fusar-Poli, P. (2009). Cannabis and anxiety: A critical review of the evidence. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental,24(7), 515-523. doi:10.1002/hup.1048

Degenhardt, L., Hall, W., & Lynskey, M. (2003). Exploring the association between cannabis use and depression. Addiction,98(11), 1493-1504. doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00437.x

D’Souza, D. C., Sewell, R. A., & Ranganathan, M. (2009). Cannabis and psychosis/schizophrenia: Human studies. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience,259(7), 413-431. doi:10.1007/s00406-009-0024-2

Lev-Ran, S., Roerecke, M., Foll, B. L., George, T., Mckenzie, K., & Rehm, J. (2013). 892 – The association between cannabis use and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. European Psychiatry,28, 1. doi:10.1016/s0924-9338(13)76057-7

T. (n.d.). What Is Depression? Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

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