Daily pot smokers increase risk

SYDNEY: Dope smokers have a 40 per cent increased risk of developing schizophrenia, and taking it regularly drives the risk up two-fold, Australian research shows.

A new study by psychiatrists has reviewed the latest evidence of links between cannabis use and mental illness, concluding the association is "stronger and clearer than ever".

A pot smoker is 40 per cert more likely to suffer a psychotic episode than a non-smoker, according to the review of research.

And for people who smoke daily over long periods their risk is 200 per cent higher.

"On the world stage, Australians excel in smoking cannabis, so there are very many people who fit into this category," lead researcher Dr Martin Cohen said.

The review, published in the latest Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, calculates that about 14 per cent of all cases of psychosis would not have occurred had the patient not picked up a joint.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Thu, 22 May 2008
Source: Northern Territory News
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