Study links childhood trauma to increased risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms when using cannabis

Using a new web-based treatment for cannabis use and psychotic experiences in those between the ages of 16 and 25, researchers recruited 2,630 cannabis users across the country. With findings published in Schizophrenia Research, investigators considered if psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in young people who use cannabis may be an early indicator of psychosis risk following cannabis use. Participants were asked about their use of cannabis and other substances, childhood trauma, PLEs and the subjective effects of cannabis, like euphoria and dysphoria/paranoia. “A significant interaction indicated that the effect of cannabis on PLE frequency was stronger for individuals with more severe childhood trauma,” study authors write. “Childhood trauma was also associated with greater cannabis use and PLE frequency, both of which were mediated by subjective dysphoria/paranoia when using the drug,” they add. Participants with childhood trauma more likely to engage in harmful weed use Calling childhood trauma “a major factor in cannabis use problems and psychosis in young people,” Carlyle adds that trauma could up future risk. “People who experienced more childhood trauma were more likely to engage in more harmful cannabis use,” she reports. “Childhood trauma should be addressed early in young people who use cannabis to mitigate the psychosis-associated harms of the drug,” study authors advise. Australian researchers are recommending that any history of childhood trauma be addressed when developing treatment services for cannabis use problems and psychotic disorders. “Childhood trauma may increase the chance of young people experiencing psychotic symptoms when using cannabis,” explains a statement from the University of Queensland. “Our research found cannabis use was associated with more psychotic-like experiences, and this association was stronger for people with more experiences of childhood trauma,” says Molly Carlyle, an honourary fellow at the university.