can smoking marijuana cause schizophrenia?

Answer 1

"Although the exact cause of schizophrenia remains unknown, experts agree that schizophrenia develops as a result of interplay between biological predisposition (for example, inheriting certain genes) and the kind of environment you are exposed to (Schizophrenia.com)."

This site also states that avoiding marijuana can help to avoid relapses of schizophrenia...so, it would be fair to guess that if a person is prone to the condition and their environment is conducive to it...marijuana can potentially help to bring on an onset of it.

Answer 2

There have been more than 150 million people who have tried marijuana in the last few decades in the US. There are tens of millions who smoke it on a regular basis. There is no evidence of an epidemic of schizophrenia caused by marijuana.

The research directly related to marijuana is inconclusive, at best. If there is any effect on schizophrenia, it is confined to the small percentage of the population who already have schizophrenia. Also, it is difficult to tell -- even within that small group -- whether the marijuana makes the schizophrenia worse, or whether the schizophrenia causes the marijuana smoking. It is reasonable to conclude that people with developing mental problems would try various drugs to try to deal with their problems.

As for the average user, with no family history of schizophrenia, and no diagnosis of these kinds of problems -- there is no evidence that anyone has anything to fear.

The largest study of the health effects of marijuana to date was done by Kaiser Permanente. They surveyed the health records of 65,000 patients over a number of years. They found no significant differences in the health histories of those who smoked marijuana versus those who didn't.

You can find a ton of research on related subjects at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer The collection includes the largest studies ever done by the governments of the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, just to mention a few. They all concluded that marijuana is not a serious threat to health.

Answer 3

First, let me say that for a 16 year old, you are incredibly intelligent. I also agree that marijuana should be legalized. It could profit our country very nicely and, last time I checked, no one has ever died from marijuana overdoses. As far as it "causing" schizophrenia, I don't think that would be the case at all. If you do develop the disease, and I pray you do not, it is because the disease is hereditary. Marijuana has been proven to be very medicinal for anxiety sufferers. Your parents are just being parents. If they lit a joint with you, well...what kind of parents would they be then? In childhood, expect impatience. ; )

Answer 4

No. You need to have the gene for schizophrenia and sometimes a trigger to activate it. Marijuana and other drugs have caused some users I know to become paranoid, but it can't cause schizophrenia.

Answer 5

definetely it can my sister is a paranoid schizophrenic shes been a schizophrenic for the past 10 years once YOU HAVE IT IT DOESNT GO AWAY I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS even with MEDICATION DOESNT CURE OR IT and doesnt help with the voices she smoked alot of pot thats probably what triggered it

Answer 6

Absolutely not.

Answer 7

Doubtful, but it definitely enhances paranoia, intensifies the apetite and makes women horny!

Answer 8

Tis True...but mostly only in excessive amounts. It triggered major depression with me and also bi-polar.

Answer 9

I really don't think so.
p.s. but don't smoke it!

Answer 10

Not that I know of.