Cannabis & Psychosis Featured on CTV

Summary

A new website, Cannabis and Psychosis, offers crucial information to help young people understand the potential mental health risks of cannabis use, especially its connection to psychosis. The site was created by a youth advisory committee, including someone who personally experienced psychosis linked to cannabis. While most users won’t develop psychosis, cannabis use, particularly before age 16, has been shown to increase risk. With rising cannabis use in Canada following legalization, the website aims to provide reliable, non-judgmental resources to help youth make informed decisions about their health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cannabis use is increasingly common among youth in Canada, especially with the legalization of cannabis.
• 😀 A large proportion of young cannabis users lack reliable information about its effects on mental health.
• 😀 The new website 'cannabisandpsychosis.ca' aims to provide non-judgmental, reliable information about the relationship between cannabis use and mental health.
• 😀 Cannabis use, particularly before the age of 16, is linked to an increased risk of psychosis in some individuals.
• 😀 Approximately 3% of the population experiences psychosis in their lifetime, and cannabis use can be one of the contributing factors.
• 😀 Youth who start using cannabis at a young age are at higher risk of developing psychosis later in life.
• 😀 Cannabis use is a significant factor for around 40% of individuals entering their first episode of psychosis.
• 😀 The website also includes research, mental health information, and advice for social cannabis use.
• 😀 The website's goal is not to preach against cannabis use but to offer reliable information to help individuals make informed decisions.
• 😀 The site's creator, who experienced psychosis as a result of cannabis use, emphasizes the importance of having accessible, trustworthy resources for today's youth.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the cannabis information website mentioned in the script?

The main purpose of the website is to help users understand the possible effects of cannabis on mental health, providing reliable, non-judgmental information for young people.

Who is involved in the creation of the cannabis and psychosis website?

The website's creator is involved with the Youth Advisory Committee for the new website 'Cannabis and Psychosis'.

How did the person speaking in the transcript become involved in this project?

The person speaking was involved in the project because of their own experience with cannabis use, which led to a psychotic disorder. They wanted to ensure that young people today have access to reliable information.

At what age did the speaker start using cannabis, and how did this affect them?

The speaker started using cannabis socially at the age of 13, and later developed a psychotic disorder as a result.

What does the speaker think about the availability of reliable information on cannabis use?

The speaker believes that reliable information on cannabis use is crucial, especially because they did not have access to it when they were younger, which might have helped them avoid the negative consequences.

What percentage of cannabis users are at risk of developing psychosis?

The vast majority of cannabis users will never develop psychosis, but about 3% of the population experiences psychosis in their lifetime. Cannabis use, especially before the age of 16, has been linked to an increased risk.

How common is cannabis use among people entering a first episode of psychosis?

About 40% of people entering their first episode of psychosis may have been using cannabis.

What type of information does the website include about cannabis and psychosis?

The website includes information about mental health, social use, and research related to cannabis and psychosis.

Does the speaker still use cannabis, and what is their stance on it?

No, the speaker no longer uses cannabis. However, they do not want to preach about their experiences; they just want to ensure that reliable information is available to others.

What is the speaker's message for young people regarding cannabis use and mental health?

The speaker’s message is that if they had known about the correlation between cannabis use and psychosis earlier, they might have been able to recognize the signs and make better choices. They aim to help others avoid similar experiences.