THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CANNABIS USE AND PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF CURRENT EVIDENCE

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593492303071

• Palavras-chave: cannabis; Psychotic Disorders; Psychosis.

• Keywords: cannabis; Psychotic Disorders; Psychosis.

• Abstract:

  Purpose: To analyze the evidence on the relationship between cannabis use and the development of psychotic disorders. Also discuss clinical and preventive implications, and highlight areas for future research to improve the management of psychosis. Methodology: Bibliographic review was conducted between May and June 2023, in the Scielo and PubMed databases. The descriptors used were: cannabis, psychotic disorders and psychosis. From this search, 18 articles were selected for review. Results: It is evident that genetic and environmental factors, combined with the use of cannabis, can anticipate or contribute to the development of psychotic disorders. There is a dose-response relationship between substance use and psychosis, with a quantitative and qualitative increase in psychotic symptoms in cannabis users. Furthermore, there are indications of an association between substance use and the development of bipolar affective disorder, anxiety disorders and depression. Final Considerations: There is an intimate relationship between the use of cannabis and the occurrence of psychosis, being influenced by the age of onset of use, genetic and environmental factors.