Veterans with bipolar disorder who currently used cannabis had better working memory and functioning
Among 254 veterans with bipolar disorder, those currently using cannabis had higher working memory and functional capacity scores than those with past use or no use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Current cannabis use in veterans with bipolar I disorder was associated with higher working memory performance and higher functional capacity compared to both past cannabis users and non-users, while also being associated with PTSD and lifetime suicidal ideation.
Key Numbers
254 veterans (84.6% male). 5.1% current cannabis users, 14.5% past cannabis users. Current users showed higher working memory and functional capacity than past users and non-users.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of 254 U.S. veterans with bipolar I disorder from a large-scale nationwide study. Categorized into current cannabis use (n=13), past cannabis use (n=37), past other drug use (n=77), and no drug use (n=127). Compared on clinical, cognitive, and functional measures.
Why This Research Matters
This study presents a nuanced picture: current cannabis use in bipolar disorder was linked to better cognitive and functional scores but also to PTSD and suicidal ideation, highlighting the complexity of cannabis effects in this population.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that current cannabis users with bipolar disorder performed better cognitively challenges simplistic narratives about cannabis harm in mental illness, though the small sample and cross-sectional design limit interpretation.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small current cannabis user group (n=13). Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Predominantly male veteran sample limits generalizability. Possible selection bias: those functioning better may be more able to maintain cannabis use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are the cognitively higher-functioning individuals simply the ones who can sustain cannabis use?
- ?Would longitudinal data show the same pattern?
- ?Does cannabis type, frequency, or method of use matter in bipolar outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Current users had higher working memory than past users and non-users
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: cross-sectional design, very small current user group (n=13), cannot establish causation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Multimodal Correlates of Cannabis Use among U.S. Veterans with Bipolar Disorder: An Integrated Study of Clinical, Cognitive, and Functional Outcomes.
- Published In:
- Journal of dual diagnosis, 18(2), 81-91 (2022)
- Authors:
- Selloni, Alexandria, Bhatia, Gagandeep, Ranganathan, Mohini(13), De Aquino, Joao P
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04209
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean cannabis improves cognition in bipolar disorder?
Not necessarily. This is a cross-sectional study, so it could be that people with better baseline functioning are more likely to use cannabis, rather than cannabis improving functioning.
Why were current users also more likely to have PTSD?
The study cannot explain why, but it may reflect self-medication patterns where veterans with PTSD and bipolar disorder turn to cannabis for symptom relief.
How many current cannabis users were studied?
Only 13 out of 254 veterans were current cannabis users, which is a very small group for drawing strong conclusions.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04209APA
Selloni, Alexandria; Bhatia, Gagandeep; Ranganathan, Mohini; De Aquino, Joao P. (2022). Multimodal Correlates of Cannabis Use among U.S. Veterans with Bipolar Disorder: An Integrated Study of Clinical, Cognitive, and Functional Outcomes.. Journal of dual diagnosis, 18(2), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2022.2053264
MLA
Selloni, Alexandria, et al. "Multimodal Correlates of Cannabis Use among U.S. Veterans with Bipolar Disorder: An Integrated Study of Clinical, Cognitive, and Functional Outcomes.." Journal of dual diagnosis, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/15504263.2022.2053264
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Multimodal Correlates of Cannabis Use among U.S. Veterans wi..." RTHC-04209. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/selloni-2022-multimodal-correlates-of-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.