The relationship between cannabis use and psychiatric disorders has been widely debated.

Cannabis is a psychoactive and addictive drug which sometimes produces psychosis-like symptoms.

Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are characterised by a severely disturbed perception of reality or a state of confusion.

In a new study published in Lancet Psychiatry, researchers have shown that there are shared genetic factors underlying our susceptibility to both cannabis use and some psychiatric disorders.

“These findings may indicate that a subgroup of the population is at high risk for both cannabis use and certain psychiatric disorders, based on their genetics,”  Weiqiu Cheng says.

She was first author of the study together with Nadine Parker. At the time of the study, they were both researchers at the Norwegian Center for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), a Centre of Excellence at the University of Oslo.

Our genetics play an important role

Individuals who use cannabis have a threefold risk of developing psychosis. Lifelong use of cannabis may also lead to the development of bipolar disorder.

“We know that genetic factors affect an individual’s likelihood of using cannabis. We also know that genetic factors play an important role in determining an individual’s susceptibility to developing psychiatric disorders,” Cheng says.

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