Boost your CannabisIQ

Know the Drug

Cannabis, also known as marijuana or “weed”, is a product of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Cannabis is the second most commonly used psychoactive substance in Canada after alcohol. Cannabis contains roughly 400 chemicals, the most active of which is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is a mind-altering chemical which causes cannabis users to feel “high”. The second most active chemical in cannabis is CBD (cannabidiol), which is being researched for potential medical uses. source

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Now that it’s legal, is it healthy?

Legalizing cannabis doesn’t mean it is always safe or healthy for everyone. Different strains of cannabis have different impacts on health depending upon medical history, age of use, and potency of the cannabis. It is important to know the facts about the drug and the risks for each individual.
NO

Be informed

All drugs come with risks. In general, the younger one starts using, the more frequently they use, and higher potency poses higher risk.Click To Tweet

What are the risks?

Cannabis-related risks may be immediate or long-term, and can include: cognitive, psychomotor and memory damage; psychosis, hallucinations and impaired perception; addiction/drug dependence; impaired driving, injuries, and/or fatalities; breathing problems; and reproductive problems.Click To Tweet

Youth at higher risk

The onset of most mental health disorders is before 25 (when the brain stops maturing), so those under 25 are at the highest risk of cognitive/mental health effects.Click To Tweet

Is there a connection between cannabis and psychosis?

There is considerable evidence linking cannabis use to psychosis. Teenage cannabis use can induce psychosis several years later. Full recovery from psychosis is possible, but the outlook is more hopeful when young people stop their use.
YES

Link to psychosis

Cannabis and psychosis are linked, but that doesn’t mean cannabis causes psychosis, per sé. Some people are vulnerable to psychosis and are better off avoiding cannabis.Click To Tweet

Vulnerability factors

Factors such as genetics, stress, and childhood trauma can make an individual “vulnerable” to psychosis.Click To Tweet

Worse Outcomes

Early and regular cannabis use increases the risk of psychosis in those who are vulnerable, and continued use worsens long-term symptoms and functional outcomes.Click To Tweet

Recommended Reading

Know the Drug

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#MyCannabisIQ is brought to you by EPION.

 

 

What is EPION?

EPION is a network of people who work in early psychosis intervention (EPI) services in Ontario, individuals who have received EPI services, and their family members and caregivers. We help strengthen early intervention services across Ontario and support the implementation of the MOHLTC’s Early Psychosis Intervention Program Standards, released in May 2011.

 help4psychosis.ca

info@epion.ca

@help4psychosis

 

Our Vision

To build and support a network of provincial leaders that advances knowledge, provides advocacy, promotes quality evidence-based care and support for people and families living with early psychosis.

 

Our Mission

To promote rapid psychosis detection and access to care, to advance early psychosis intervention through research and knowledge exchange, and to implement and advance standards of care for early psychosis intervention.