Psychotic-like experiences did not predict whether young adults quit or continued cannabis

Mean cannabis use increased from age 19 to 22. Age of first cannabis use was positively associated with change in use between the two time points (later starters increased more). Psychotic-like experiences at either age were not significantly associated with changes in cannabis use.

Longitudinal study from the IMAGEN cohort, initially recruited at age 14 in European high schools. Among 552 ever-users of cannabis, psychotic-like experiences were measured with the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) at ages 19 and 22, along with quantitative cannabis use data. Perceived stress was assessed at age 22.

If psychotic-like experiences prompted people to quit cannabis, it could act as a natural protective mechanism. This study found no such self-correcting pattern, suggesting that experiencing psychotic symptoms does not reliably lead young users to reduce their consumption.

The finding that psychotic-like experiences do not trigger cannabis reduction challenges the assumption that negative experiences naturally lead to behavior change. The stress-psychosis link independent of cannabis also highlights the complexity of psychosis risk.

Only two time points (ages 19 and 22). Self-reported cannabis use and psychotic experiences. Nearly universal endorsement of at least one psychotic-like experience at age 19 limits variance. Perceived stress measured at only one time point.