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Scientists believe they have identified about 60,000 cases of depression in adults under 35 in the UK and more than 400,000 in the US, which could be avoided if teenagers do not smoke cannabis.
An international team of scientists reviewed 11 published studies from the mid-1990s, covering more than 23,000 people, published in JAMA Psychiatry. They explored the use of cannabis for non-medicinal purposes in children under 18 years of age. Participants were then followed up into adulthood to see who was developing clinical depression, anxiety, or suicidal behavior. No studies have examined the three mental health issues.
After taking into account factors such as age, early mental health problems and socio-economic status, the results linked cannabis use to a higher probability of developing clinical depression. to have suicidal thoughts or to make a suicide attempt. The odds of attempting suicide were nearly 3.5 times higher among cannabis users under the age of 18 than among those who did not use cannabis – although the authors point out that the figure is imprecise.
Dr. Andrea Cipriani, co-author of Oxford University's research, said: "The number of people exposed to cannabis, especially at this vulnerable age, is very high and I think it should be a priority for public health and health. the medical sector too. "
The key psychoactive ingredient of cannabis is THC, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, which binds to brain receptors, particularly common in areas important for emotion and learning, as well as for the rational thinking. The density of such receptors in these areas peaks in adolescence. This, coupled with the fact that the youth brain is still developing, has sparked growing concern about the impact of cannabis on young consumers, Cipriani said.
The link with depression could result from the presence of receptors that bind THC to areas of the brain where neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine are produced, he said.
According to recent figures, more than 17 million young people aged 15 to 34 in the EU, or 14.1%, have used cannabis in the past year, although it There are big differences in terms of consumption between countries. In England and Wales, about 11.5% of people in this age group reported having used cannabis the year before, while 2011 data suggest that about 4% 14-19 year olds in England had used cannabis in a given month.
Although the authors of the study say that the apparent effects are modest, they emphasize that their impact is far from negligible. Applying the results to the known prevalence of clinical depression in adults under 35, they conclude that one in 14 cases in this age group could be avoided if adolescents did not use this medication.
The team said that better education is needed both for parents – who might see little harm to their children's use of cannabis – and for the teenagers themselves, and that the emphasis should be placed on the prevention of drug use by young people.
"We now know that, especially among adolescents, there can be a biological effect, with sometimes devastating consequences," said Cipriani.
They said the issues of decriminalization and legalization of cannabis were difficult. One of the arguments in favor of legalization is that it would mean that adults could buy the drug in the shops, subject to verification of their age, eliminating the need for illegal dealers and removing the source of cannabis for under 18s . It has also been argued that legalization would allow consumers to choose the strength of cannabis they use.
Although the latest research echoes a number of studies in the animal on the impact of cannabis on depression, it has certain limitations. The cannabis use statistics were based on self-reports, the frequency of use being different from one study to the next, and the researchers could not exclude that the results might reflect a More complex than the simple "cause-and-effect" of cannabis on mental health problems – in particular In other words, other factors could play a role in the link. In addition, it is not clear that the important thing is only cannabis in adolescence – continued use as an adult could also be important.
Sir Robin Murray, research professor in psychiatry at King's College London, who did not participate in the research, said that it was important to note that the studies badyzed did not seek to whether participants used other drugs, or the amount or type of cannabis users had taken. Indeed, studies began before extremely powerful cannabis became commonplace.
"Studies of psychosis have shown us that the daily use of modern cannabis with a high cannabis content is much more risky than traditional low THC varieties," he said.
Dr. Tom Freeman, Senior Director of the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath, said more research is needed to inform consumers of the risks badociated with different products and levels of consumption.
"We know that exposure to larger amounts of THC is badociated with an increased risk of adverse effects, while another constituent of cannabis (cannabidiol) could be protective and potentially beneficial to the mental health, "he said.
• In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted at 116 123 or by email at [email protected]. In the United States, the national course of action for suicide prevention is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service, Lifeline, is 13 11 14. You will find other international hotlines on suicide at www.befrienders. org.
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