[Mental disorders and neuropsychological impairment related to chronic use of cannabis].
INTRODUCTION. Cannabis is an illegal drug in wide use nowadays, mainly for recreational purposes. It is considered one of the less harmful drugs, partly due to the large amount of information to which most people have access. However, the scientific literature could reveal important clues to the contrary. AIM. To gather and resume updated scientific data from different fields (clinical psychology, neurobiology, neuroimaging...) about the effects and consequences of the chronic use of cannabis. DEVELOPMENT. Evidence concerning the mental disorders and neuropsychological impairment associated the most to the chronic use is presented along with comments on the possible underlying neurobiological mechanisms, and the most important risk factors are also described. CONCLUSIONS. The evidence indicates that frequent and prolonged use of cannabis can be detrimental to mental health. A high risk of psychotic symptoms in predisposed individuals, higher for frequent users, is described, while the findings on symptoms of depression and anxiety are less consistent. On the cognitive-behavioral level, the functions most affected seem to be the attentional and executive ones. These data can be valuable both to guide further research and for updating the sensibilization and prevention programs on cannabis abuse.
Universitat Jaume I, Castello de la Plana, Spain. sofinos@yahoo.com
Sofía
S
Tziraki
D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology