Cannabis Study on Adolscents

Kassin (2004) "Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the nervous system that transmit information by crossing the synapse from one neuron to another." (page 50) Neurotransmitters are linked to motor neurons, muscles, arousal, sleep, appetite and memory. For every neurotransmitter our mind has "receptors which are specialized neural cells that receive neurotransmitters." (page 50) Unbalanced neurotransmitter levels along with too many or too little receptors effects our moods and behaviors. Depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders, paranoia, Alzheimer, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia all are possible mental states and disorders we face depending on our mind chemistry.

When we put any drug into our system our mental chemistry is changed. Some neurotransmitter levels drop, while others rise and receptors are blocked or sometimes overwhelmed. Knowing that a positive, healthy mental state rely on the correct balance of these important chemicals why would we put drugs such as cannabis into our system? Different scenarios led some individuals into smoking cannabis, but what determines their reaction, benefits and negative effects that they experience? While some people experience temporary relief, some experience depression and anxiety. It all depends on how cannabis fits into our personal, complex, mental chemistry.

Van Os & Verdoux (2002) A research report entitled "Early adolescent cannabis exposure and positive and negative dimensions of psychosis" was designed to investigate the effect of cannabis use early in adolescence on sub-clinical symptoms of psychosis both positive and negative. This study was used in the context of an ongoing general population cohort study. (page 323) The thesis and questions this study is aimed at to provide evidence for are as followed: Are individuals with pre-existing vulnerability for psychosis more susceptible to the psychosis-inducing effects of cannabis than those without? Van Os & Verdoux (2002) Does cannabis increases the risk for incident psychotic disorder in those with established personality traits and early symptoms of a psychotic mental state? (page 319-327) Does the use of cannabis in early adolescence have a more powerful effect to the onset of the disorder, rather than cannabis use later on in adolescence? Can cannabis trigger a psychotic disorder as severe as schizophrenia? Johns (2001) Is there a positive association between cannabis and states of anxiety/ depression? (pages 1125-1141)

This particular study used the Greek Birth Cohort which is a collection based on the National Perinatal Survey to find its participants.