For people at risk of psychosis, cannabis use can be dangerous – Dr Mizrahi

Published on: 2025-04-28

What are the effects of cannabis on the brains of youth at risk of psychosis? This is the question explored by Dr Romina Mizrahi in this article published on the CIHR website.

Her study aims to better understand the impact of early cannabis use on the synaptic density of the brain in young people showing early signs of psychosis, in order to help prevent the development of severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

We wanted to understand the contribution of cannabis use in these brain connections. We showed that early psychosis patients and those at risk for psychosis had lower synaptic density. Synaptic density was also lower in cannabis users.

For people at risk of psychosis, cannabis use can be dangerous – Dr Mizrahi

Source: IRSC CIHR