Click here to learn about our treatment programs for teenagers.
For Confidential Help, Call:
(866) 729-1012

Unraveling the Genetic Ties: Cannabis Use and Psychiatric Disorders

Cannabis is the most prevalently used federally illegal drug in the U.S, with roughly 18% of the population, equivalent to about 48.2 million people, reporting its usage, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nearly one-third of marijuana users are likely to develop a use disorder, with the odds significantly higher for those who began consumption before turning 18. The drug mainly impacts areas of the brain responsible for a range of functions, including memory, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time. Furthermore, persistent or regular marijuana usage has been associated with an increased likelihood of psychosis or schizophrenia in certain users.

This association has been a fierce topic of debate in the medical field, but a new study from the University of Oslo published in the Lancet Psychiatry called “The relationship between cannabis use, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder: a genetically informed study” has revealed shared genetics for cannabis use and psychiatric disorders.

The Research

The latest research spearheaded by Drs. Weiqiu Cheng and Nadine Parker suggests that the connection between cannabis use and the development of conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can be traced back to common genetic factors. Utilizing sophisticated statistical models, the study shows that a significant proportion of these shared genetic variants elevate the risk of both marijuana usage and the onset of either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

According to lead author, Dr. Cheng, “This study shows that there is a shared genetic basis underlying our susceptibility to both cannabis use and certain psychiatric disorders. These findings may indicate that a subset of the population is at high risk for both cannabis use and psychiatric disorders, based on their genetic propensity.”

The study’s methodology included:

  • Utilizing genome-wide association summary data from individuals of European descent, sourced from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, the UK Biobank, and the International Cannabis Consortium.
  • Estimating the heritability, polygenicity, and discoverability of each phenotype to assess their genetic influence and likelihood of being genetically mapped.
  • Conducting both genome-wide and local genetic correlations to analyze the degree of genetic similarity between different traits.
  • Identifying and mapping shared loci to specific genes
  • Testing these specific genes for functional enrichment to investigate whether they have an unusually high amount of a particular trait.
  • Exploring the shared genetic liabilities to psychotic disorders and cannabis-related traits using causal analyses and polygenic scores.
  • Applying the findings to the Norwegian Thematically Organized Psychosis cohort

Clinical Implications

The study’s findings reveal:

  • The new data could lead to tailored care, incorporating preventive strategies and interventions for those individuals at heightened risk. This could encompass efforts to decrease cannabis use among people with a high genetic predisposition for conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
  • Upcoming research that delves into the biological impacts of these shared genetic variants might pave the way for the creation of more specific treatments.
  • An enhanced understanding of the genetic overlap could be employed to categorize patients more accurately, facilitating the development of more personalized treatment plans.

As the rates of cannabis use continue to grow—in the context of the present day adolescent mental health crisis with historic rates of teen suicide—such research remains critical in refining our understanding of the impact of cannabis use among teens with different risk factors.

Get Help Now

Thinking about seeking help or know someone who does? Click below to have one of our professional team members contact you.
[one_third]Schedule a One-on-One Consultation[/one_third][one_third]Learn More About SunCloud Health[/one_third][one_third_last]Get information on Costs and Insurance[/one_third_last][/ctabar]

Rachel Collins, LCSW
Site Director of Northbrook PHP and IOP

Rachel Collins, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Northbrook Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for both adolescents and adults. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to complete her master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. She has since worked in a wide range of settings, including inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, therapeutic group homes, and private practice. Rachel specializes in treating trauma (using Cognitive Processing Therapy) and anxiety, practicing through a relational, compassionate, and client-centered lens. She is passionate about creating a therapeutic space in which clients feel safe and able to explore various parts of themselves with curiosity as opposed to judgement. In addition to her leadership and clinical work, she is passionate about creating art, and learning about the intersection between creativity and mental health.

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW
Site Director, Naperville PHP/IOP (Adolescents & Adults)

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Naperville Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for adolescents and adults. She brings extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations, and specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, substance use, family systems, forensic populations, and individuals in crisis.

Kayla has worked in a wide range of clinical and community settings, including community-based interventions, police crisis response, correctional facilities, inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, and with vulnerable and underserved populations. In addition to her clinical and leadership work, she is passionate about providing mental health education and advocacy within the community.

Kayla earned her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Aurora University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Forensic Social Work, also at Aurora University. Her clinical approach is evidence-based, compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative, emphasizing collaboration and individualized care.

Driven by a personal mission to meet individuals where they are, Kayla is committed to helping clients feel safe, supported, and understood. She strives to create a natural and empathetic healing environment while ensuring individuals from all backgrounds and identities know they are not alone and have access to meaningful resources and support.

Elizabeth E. Sita, MD
Medical Director of Adult Services
Dr. Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, is a Board Certified psychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Chicago and graduated with Highest Honors. She then earned her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. She subsequently completed residency with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where she was elected Chief Resident and received the Resident Psychiatrist Leadership & Service Award. Upon completing her training, Dr. Sita came to Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where she served as Assistant Medical Director of the Center for Eating Disorders and Director of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services before transitioning to lead the new inpatient eating disorder unit as Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago. In these roles, she has cared for a multitude of adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders as well as severe, cooccurring mood, trauma, personality, and substance use disorders. Dr. Sita has been recognized throughout her training and practice for a commitment to excellence in patient care and for her ability to engage patients in their most challenging moments. Her passions include the care of treatment-resistant eating and mood disorders as well as questions of medical capacity and end-of-life decision making. She believes that, first and foremost, human connection is key to mental health and well-being and strives to share this philosophy in each and every patient encounter. She is excited to bring her expertise to SunCloud Health as the Medical Director of Adult Services!   VIDEO: Meet Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, Medical Director of Adult Services  
Lacey Lemke, PsyD
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services

Dr. Lacey Lemke (she/her) is a licensed clinical health psychologist with specialized expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and the practice of medical and health psychology. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a Primary Care emphasis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Lemke went on to complete both her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship through Ascension Health, where she gained advanced training working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors, as well as within pediatric subspecialty settings including endocrinology, neurology, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Lemke is deeply committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment. Her professional mission is to support patients in achieving their fullest potential by guiding them to the most appropriate level of care and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable progress toward improved health and well-being.

VIDEO: 2. Meet Lacey Lemke, PsyD.