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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Association between cannabis and psychiatric hospitalization
C D Schubart1, M P M Boks, E J Breetvelt
1Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. c.schubart@umcutrecht.nl
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|January 5, 2011
Summary
Early and heavy cannabis use are linked to poor mental health outcomes. This includes a higher risk of psychiatric hospitalization, especially with use before age 12.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Cannabis Research
- Mental Health Studies
Background:
- Cannabis use is prevalent among young adults.
- Understanding the link between cannabis consumption and mental health is crucial.
- Previous research suggests potential associations, but dose-response and early-onset effects require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between the amount and age of cannabis initiation and mental health outcomes.
- To quantify the association between cannabis use and psychiatric hospitalizations.
- To explore potential mediating factors in the cannabis-mental health relationship.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 17,698 individuals (mean age 22).
- Web-based questionnaire assessing cannabis use (amount, age of initiation) and psychiatric hospitalization history.
- Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure operationalized as weekly spending on cannabis.
Main Results:
- A significant dose-response relationship was observed between cannabis consumption amount and psychiatric hospitalization odds.
- Heavy cannabis users (>€25/week) showed a 6.2-fold increased odds of hospitalization compared to incidental users.
- Initiating cannabis use before age 12 was associated with a 4.8-fold increased odds of past psychiatric hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- Both early-onset and heavy cannabis use are independently associated with adverse mental health outcomes.
- These findings highlight the risks of early and extensive cannabis consumption.
- Concomitant drug use may act as an intermediate factor in this association.
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