Cannabis sativa is the most commonly used illicit drug globally. In recent years, its possession is being increasingly decriminalized and even legalized for both medical and recreational use in the US and worldwide. Among the mental health concerns related to the drug, there is mounting evidence of an intricate link between cannabis use and schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.

Cannabis use is more prevalent among people with schizophrenia than in the general population; young people who use cannabis are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia; premorbid cannabis use appears to hasten the onset of psychosis among those who develop a psychotic disorder; and cannabis use can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. At the same time, there is promising evidence to suggest that CBD, one of the many cannabinoid compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant, could prove to be an effective antipsychotic to treat schizophrenia.

The book The Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia provides an in-depth overview of the current state of knowledge on the role that cannabis plays in psychotic symptoms, psychotic disorders, and schizophrenia, covering both pathophysiological and pharmacological implications. It addresses wide-ranging topics including the epidemiology of cannabis use in the US, the risks associated with its use, the biological aspects of the drug and its effects on the brain, management of cannabis use disorder, and the pharmacological possibilities of using CBD to treat psychotic disorders.

We are pleased to offer you a look at the book with this complimentary chapter “An Introduction to the Complex Connection Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia.”

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