Cannabis use patterns predicted worse outcomes in first-episode psychosis despite early intervention
In patients with first-episode psychosis, continued cannabis use predicted worse symptom and functional trajectories, and early intervention services did not fully offset cannabis-related disadvantages.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use patterns were characterized among FEP patients, and continued use was associated with worse symptomatic and functional outcomes. Early intervention services improved overall outcomes but did not fully compensate for the negative trajectory associated with ongoing cannabis use.
Key Numbers
RAISE study dataset. Cannabis use patterns characterized. Continued use associated with worse symptom and functional trajectories. Early intervention services partially but not fully offset cannabis-related disadvantages.
How They Did This
Longitudinal analysis of the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) dataset. Characterized cannabis use patterns and examined their relationship with clinical outcomes, including interactions with early intervention services.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use is extremely common in first-episode psychosis populations. If ongoing use undermines even the best available treatment (early intervention services), addressing cannabis use must be a core component of FEP care.
The Bigger Picture
Early intervention for psychosis has been one of the most important advances in mental health care. The finding that cannabis use limits its effectiveness adds urgency to integrating substance use treatment within early psychosis programs.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational longitudinal data from a clinical trial context. Cannabis use patterns self-reported. Confounding by illness severity (sicker patients may use more cannabis). Treatment engagement may differ between cannabis users and non-users.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would integrated cannabis cessation within early psychosis intervention improve outcomes?
- ?At what point after psychosis onset does cannabis cessation produce the best results?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Continued cannabis use predicted worse FEP outcomes even with early intervention
- Evidence Grade:
- Longitudinal data from a well-characterized clinical trial cohort. Observational analysis limits causal claims.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023.
- Original Title:
- Relationship between patterns of cannabis use and functional and symptomatic trajectories in first-episode psychosis.
- Published In:
- European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 273(4), 765-778 (2023)
- Authors:
- Wright, Abigail C(3), Browne, Julia, Cather, Corinne(4), Meyer-Kalos, Piper, Mueser, Kim T
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05035
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis use affect recovery from psychosis?
In this study, continued cannabis use during treatment for first-episode psychosis was associated with worse symptom improvement and poorer functional outcomes over time. Early intervention services helped overall but could not fully compensate for the negative effects of ongoing cannabis use.
Should people with psychosis stop using cannabis?
This data suggests continued cannabis use after a first psychotic episode is associated with worse recovery. Integrating cannabis use reduction into psychosis treatment appears important, though the study cannot prove that stopping cannabis alone would improve outcomes.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- THC-amygdala-anxiety-brain
- anandamide-weed-withdrawal
- cannabinoid-receptors-recovery-time
- cannabis-developing-brain-teenagers
- cant-enjoy-anything-without-weed
- dopamine-recovery-after-quitting-weed
- endocannabinoid-system-explained-simply
- endocannabinoid-system-withdrawal
- nervous-system-weed-withdrawal-fight-flight
- teen-weed-use-under-18-effects-brain
- thc-brain-withdrawal
- thc-prefrontal-cortex-brain-effects
- weed-cortisol-stress-hormones
- weed-memory-loss-recovery
- weed-motivation-amotivational-syndrome
- weed-nervous-system-effects
- weed-reward-system-brain
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05035APA
Wright, Abigail C; Browne, Julia; Cather, Corinne; Meyer-Kalos, Piper; Mueser, Kim T. (2023). Relationship between patterns of cannabis use and functional and symptomatic trajectories in first-episode psychosis.. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 273(4), 765-778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-022-01441-5
MLA
Wright, Abigail C, et al. "Relationship between patterns of cannabis use and functional and symptomatic trajectories in first-episode psychosis.." European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-022-01441-5
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Relationship between patterns of cannabis use and functional..." RTHC-05035. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wright-2023-relationship-between-patterns-of
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.