I question the validity of some of these studies. Mental illness usually manifests itself between the ages of 18-25 or so, the same time period when most are likely to experiment with pot. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation. While smoking weed by someone who is vulnerable to mental illness might help precipitate full blown schizophrenia, it’s also just as likely that such a person would eventually develop this disorder without smoking pot.
| In the General/Chat forum, on a thread titled The alarming link between schizophrenia and marijuana, jimwatx wrote: |
I question the validity of some of these studies. Mental illness usually manifests itself between the ages of 18-25 or so, the same time period when most are likely to experiment with pot. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation. While smoking weed by someone who is vulnerable to mental illness might help precipitate full blown schizophrenia, it’s also just as likely that such a person would eventually develop this disorder without smoking pot. |
Elements like age, socio-economic status and other demographics are factored into this kind of research.
Oh, stop it with you reason and logic. This is WEED we’re talking about. Didn’t you see Reefer Madness? Besides, science is always to be trusted, right? RIGHT?
The data are pretty clear that the incidence of psychosis, controlling for age, is higher among mj users than non-users. This was true even back when mj was a very mild tranquilizer. It appears the appropriate relationship is not causation but a triggering effect of thc in vulnerable persons.
It’s also a well known fact that people disposed to conditions like schizophrenia are extremely likely to try to self medicate with recreational drugs, providing another possible explanation for the correlation.
I question the validity of some of these studies. Mental illness usually manifests itself between the ages of 18-25 or so, the same time period when most are likely to experiment with pot. Correlation doesn’t always equal causation. While smoking weed by someone who is vulnerable to mental illness might help precipitate full blown schizophrenia, it’s also just as likely that such a person would eventually develop this disorder without smoking pot.
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You haven’t lost a child to this, obviously. I have.
Correct comment.