As cannabis becomes increasingly available across the US, researchers highlight a need for physician and public awareness around its risks. The corresponding review article was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“There is a lot of misinformation in the public sphere about cannabis and its effects on psychological health with many assuming that this drug is safe to use with no side effects,” said review author David A. Gorelick, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), in a press release.
“It is important for physicians and the public to understand that cannabis can have addictive effects and to recognize signs and symptoms in order to get properly diagnosed and treated,” he added.
In the review, Dr. Gorelick summarized key aspects of cannabis use in the US and its health effects. He noted, for example, that in the US, an estimated 52.4 million people aged 12 years and older used the substance in 2021, and that of these people, around 16.2 million met the criteria for cannabis use disorder- characterized by continued cannabis use despite adverse effects.
He added that the condition often occurs alongside other psychiatric conditions such as substance use disorders, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. While cannabis use disorder occurs in all age groups, young adults are disproportionately affected.
“Approximately one in ten people who use cannabis will become addicted, and for those who start before age 18, the rate rises to one in six,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean at UMSOM, and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, in a press release.
In the review, Dr. Gorelick also described adverse effects of cannabis use during pregnancy, such as low birth weight, small gestational age, and being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. He further cited a recent study describing how cannabis changes the composition of breast milk, and that The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends against cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
“As use of this drug increases, we must delve deeply into basic research to understand the brain’s cannabinoid system. We must also design translational studies of therapies that target these brain mechanisms to help those with cannabis use disorder - particularly young adults and pregnant women - overcome their dependence on this drug,” concluded Dr. Gladwin.
Sources: University of Maryland, New England Journal of Medicine