With cannabis potency at historic highs, this study underscores that adolescent brains are uniquely vulnerable to THC exposure, and parents should understand the psychiatric risks before dismissing cannabis as harmless. Data from a JAMA Health Forum study of nearly half a million teenagers demonstrates that adolescent cannabis use doubles the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorder diagnoses by early adulthood. The association persisted across demographic subgroups and was temporally consistent, with cannabis use preceding psychiatric diagnoses by roughly two years on average.
Adolescent Cannabis Use Linked to Doubling Risk of Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders
Nearly half a million teens were tracked in this study, and the data shows cannabis use during adolescence meaningfully increases the chance of serious psychiatric diagnoses in early adulthood. A large longitudinal cohort study published in JAMA Health Forum tracked 463,396 adolescents and found that cannabis use between ages 13 and 17 was associated with approximately double the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders by age 26. Elevated risks for depression and anxiety were also observed.
Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Use Cannabis
If your teenager uses cannabis, this large-scale study suggests the psychiatric risks are real and significant, particularly for psychosis and bipolar disorder during a critical window of brain development. A Kaiser Permanente-led study published in JAMA Health Forum followed over 463,000 adolescents aged 13 to 17 through age 26 and found that past-year cannabis use was associated with a doubled risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders. Cannabis use preceded psychiatric diagnoses by an average of 1.7 to 2.3 years, suggesting a temporal relationship between adolescent exposure and later psychiatric illness.
Teenage Cannabis Users Twice as Likely as Non-Users to Develop Psychosis
A large study found that moderate cannabis use in adults over 40 was linked to larger brain volumes and better cognitive function, though experts caution more research is needed before drawing conclusions. A landmark longitudinal study published in JAMA Health Forum followed 463,396 adolescents ages 13-17 through age 26. Past-year cannabis use during adolescence was associated with a doubled risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders, plus elevated risks for depression and anxiety.
Satiety Bypass: How Cannabis Overrides the Brain’s ‘I’m Full’ Signal
A massive study tracking over 460,000 teens found that cannabis use during adolescence doubled the risk of psychotic and bipolar disorders, underscoring why age restrictions and youth prevention are critical. Neuroscience News deep-dive into the WSU/Calgary PNAS study on cannabis-induced appetite. THC activates CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus to override natural satiety signals, creating a feeling of starvation even in recently fed subjects.