Newly published study (American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry):  Long lasting effects of chronic heavy cannabis abuse.

Joannis N. Nestoros MD, PhD1
Elena Vakonaki PhD2,
Manolis N. Tzatzarakis PhD2,
Athanasios Alegakis PhD2,
Markos D. Skondras MD, PhD3 and
Aristidis M. Tsatsakis PhD, DSc2,*
Version of Record online: 17 MAR 2017
DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12529
Copyright © 2017

American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry

Background and Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of short-term memory impairment and schizophrenia-like symptoms in heavy and systematic cannabis users and the association between the severity of abuse and the longevity of its persistent symptoms after refraining from such use.

Conclusions:

“The existence of hallucinations, delusions, and organic brain dysfunction in heavy cannabis users seems to be associated with cannabinoid levels in hair. The continuation of persistent symptoms 3 months after the discontinuation of cannabis abuse, was a remarkable finding.”

Scientific Significance:

“We provide evidence that chronic and heavy cannabis abuse results in long-lasting brain dysfunction in all users and in long-lasting schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms in more than half of all users. These findings suggest a reevaluation of the current classification of cannabis as a “soft narcotic” which erroneously, therefore, is typically considered harmless.” (Am J Addict 2017;XX:1–8)

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