Cannabis Use in Young Men Linked to Higher Schizophrenia Risk

A new study analyzing health records data of over 6 million people in Denmark found that young men with cannabis use disorder are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia was found to be much stronger among young men, and as many as 30% of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by avoiding cannabis use disorder. Effective treatments for both conditions are available, making it imperative to expand prevention, screening, and treatment for people who experience mental illnesses associated with cannabis use.