AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates the relationship between cannabis use frequency and psychiatric symptoms among individuals seeking mental health services.
  • Frequent and infrequent cannabis users exhibit more psychiatric symptoms across various domains (mood, anxiety, psychosis, cognition, and externalizing behaviors) compared to non-users, with no major differences between the two user groups.
  • The findings indicate that frequent cannabis use correlates with a greater functional impact of psychiatric symptoms, emphasizing the potential mental health risks associated with higher consumption levels.

Article Abstract

Background: Cannabis use may be a modifiable risk factor for mental health problems; however, the role of cannabis use frequency in population seeking mental health and addiction services remains unclear. This study aimed to: 1) compare the prevalence and functional impact of psychiatric symptoms among frequent, infrequent, and non-users of cannabis; and 2) evaluate the associations between cannabis use frequency and functional impact of psychiatric symptoms in help-seeking individuals.

Methods: Data from the Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) Central Intake system in Nova Scotia, Canada was used. Participants aged 19-64 who received MHA Intake assessments from September 2019 to December 2021 with complete information about substance use were included (N = 20,611). Cannabis use frequency over past 30 days was categorized into frequent (>4 times a month), infrequent (≤4 times a month), and non-use. Psychiatric symptomatology consists of five domains: mood, anxiety, psychosis, cognition, and externalizing behaviors. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was used to examine the associations between cannabis use frequency and functional impact of psychiatric symptoms.

Results: Frequent and infrequent cannabis users had a higher prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in each domain than non-users, while no significant differences were found between frequent and infrequent users. Frequent cannabis use was associated with greater functional impact of psychiatric symptoms in each domain compared to non-users, while infrequent use was only associated with greater functional impact of externalizing behaviors.

Conclusion: Frequent cannabis use is associated with increased prevalence and functional impact of psychiatric symptoms among adults seeking mental health services.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.018DOI Listing

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