Effects of Cannabis Use on Mental Health Latest Research Findings

Course overview

This course is based upon material published in the National Academies Press and is available as an open access article. The course describes the effects of cannabis use on the etiology and symptomatology of several mental health disorders. The text points out the importance of conducting cross-disciplinary research in order to appropriately inform public health decisions and ultimately improve population health. The Committee on Health Effects of Marijuana has prioritized mental health outcomes with high prevalence (depression and anxiety) and significant public health implications (suicide). In compiling information for this course, studies on the association between cannabis use and schizophrenia and psychosis were included due to the large volume of literature on the subject. For each of the disorders, two questions were considered: What is the effect of cannabis use on the risk of developing the disorder? And in patients with the disorder, what are the effects of cannabis use on the symptoms or course of the disorder? This literature review does not include findings from controlled laboratory studies. These studies have been used to assess the effect of cannabis on behavior, to understand how cannabis interacts with alcohol and other drugs to influence behavior, and to characterize the dose-dependent effects of cannabis as they relate to its potential for addiction. This course on cannabis use and mental health disorders is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop or increase their knowledge of the effects of cannabis use on those with mental health disorders. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Authors: Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Health and Medicine Division; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding cannabis use and mental health disorders. Specifically, a professional will: Describe how cannabis use is related to the development of schizophrenia and other psychosis Identify the effects of marijuana use on patients with depression and anxiety Summarize how cannabis impacts thoughts of suicidality Citation: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Health and Medicine Division; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. National Academies Press.