How Does Adolescent Cannabis Use Affect Susceptibility To Schizophrenia? A Research Study

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most widely used substances among adolescents is cannabis, which may have negative effects during a critical period of brain development. Adolescent cannabis use may contribute to an earlier onset of schizophrenia, a psychiatric condition that typically appears in early adulthood. The objective of this review is to investigate current research in neurology, epidemiology, and substance use, to determine whether adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted of peer-reviewed literature from the last 20 years of both clinical and pre-clinical research from databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Omni Laurier, and Google Scholar. The review incorporated epidemiological, neurological, and genetic studies to examine the relationship between adolescent cannabis use and schizophrenia.

Results: Adolescent cannabis use disrupts dopaminergic, GABA, and glutamate systems, impairing sensorimotor gating and cognitive functions. Animal studies show lasting alterations in dopamine neuron activity linked to schizophrenia. Neuroimaging in humans reveals reduced prefrontal cortex activation and white matter integrity. These findings suggest increased schizophrenia susceptibility, especially in genetically predisposed individuals.

Discussion: The neurological and behavioural changes resulting from adolescent cannabis use contribute to cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia. Particularly, impairment of GABA and glutamate signalling in the prefrontal cortex mirror symptoms of schizophrenia. THC exposure alters dopaminergic signalling and sensorimotor gating, increasing schizophrenia risk, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals. Long-term effects of cannabis use suggest lasting changes in brain circuits, further increasing schizophrenia susceptibility.

Conclusion: By highlighting a central risk factor, this review expanded on the neurobiological and behavioural effects of adolescent cannabis use, particularly its role in increasing schizophrenia risk. The results can inform public health campaigns and the development of interventions and preventative strategies to reduce cannabis use among young adults and spread awareness of its dangers at this developmental stage. Results may also encourage further research in the fields of neurology and drug use.