Cannabis use and its relationship with mental health disorders

Abstract

According to various studies, cannabis is the most consumed illegal drug both in the United States and in Europe, with Spain and the United Kingdom being two of the countries with the highest consumption rates. In recent decades, cannabis has been the subject of research, since recent studies point to a greater risk of suffering various mental disorders among users of this substance. In addition to the health problems, in this consumption context the World Health Organization also warns of the consequences at a health, economic and social level. This research has insistently suggested that, although not all users of this drug present a mental health problem, there is a clear relationship between the early use of cannabis and later mental health problems among those with genetic vulnerabilities, and there is a particular problem with cannabis use by adolescents. The aim of this work is to carry out a review of the medical literature, as well as of more recent research relating cannabis and mental health disorders, given that, from the nursing point of view, it is a priority to intervene as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team on the abuse of drugs such as cannabis and the related disorders with which it frequently coexists.