Cannabis Use and Mental Health: A Critical Analysis of Current Research
Kacper Rusiński, Filip Klimas, Dorota Zatłoka-Mazur, Zuzanna Zięba, Adriana Potoczek, Iwona Pudełko, Izabela Kazubek-Fuksiewicz, Klaudia Ostrowicz, Izabela Lekan
Quality in Sport March 21, 2025 DOI: 10.12775/qs.2025.39.59154 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCannabis use is linked to an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia, particularly in individuals with a genetic vulnerability or those who start using at a young age. The evidence for a causal relationship with depression is less consistent, while heavy, long-term use is associated with impairments in memory, attention, and executive function. The review synthesizes current evidence-based knowledge on these associations, drawing on literature from PubMed and Google Scholar.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Mental health Current fluid Psychology Psychiatry |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia, especially in vulnerable populations, and with cognitive impairments from heavy, long-term use; evidence for a causal link to depression is less consistent. |
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances globally. In several countries, including Canada, the Netherlands, certain U.S. states, and Australia, its possession is legal. With its growing popularity in recent years, the impact of cannabis on mental health has become a focal point of numerous scientific studies. The aim of this review was to summarize the current evidence-based knowledge on the impact of cannabis on mental health. This article explores the relationship between cannabis use and specific mental disorders. The reviewed literature was sourced from PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords "mental health", "cannabis", "psychosis" "schizophrenia" "depression" and "cognitive functions".