According to a study, women underrepresented in cannabis psychosis research



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Research conducted at the University of York has shown that women are underrepresented in research on the links between cannabis and psychosis, which could limit understanding of the impact of drugs. .

In a multi-year review of the scientific literature, Ian Hamilton, of the York University Department of Health Sciences, found that the majority of research reflected the experience of cannabis users, with very little information on the response of women to drugs.

They also found that there was little research on cannabis-related psychosis in countries where cannabis use is high.

The research tends to be focused on the United States, Europe, and Australia, without the impact of drugs in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where there is no such thing as drugs. very little is known about the number of people developing cannabis-related psychosis.

Opening of access

Ian Hamilton said:

Governments around the world are opening access to cannabis for health or recreation. This means that it is important that people have access to information about the risks and benefits of cannabis use.

Cannabis-related psychosis is a risk that can have a devastating effect on an individual and their family. Based on previous research conducted by York University, we examined evidence linking cannabis to psychosis and identified two important issues.

One of these issues is about badist prejudices. The research we examined is mainly about men, not women; This could also be related to a more general problem related to the lack of women scientists in addiction research.

The other problem is the geographic spread of addiction research; we lack a large population to avoid targeting the study in areas outside America, Europe and Australia.

We could gain much more knowledge about the risk of cannabis-related psychosis by including other countries and cultures. "

Social factors

The study suggests that greater attention should be paid to people at risk of cannabis-related psychosis, as well as to the health implications of taking the drug. The researchers argue that this research must include more women and countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Ian Hamilton added:

We must accept that cannabis-related psychosis is not limited to genetics or biology, but that it is influenced by social factors such as where and how young people grow up and the problems they face. collide. "

Source:

York University

Journal reference:

Hamilton, I & Monaghan, M. (2019) Cannabis and psychosis: Are we closer to understanding the relationship? Current psychiatry reports. doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1044-x.

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