Compared to non-smoking young people, smokers of more than 10 cigarettes a day is linked to a higher risk of psychoses, a new study from the Academy of Finland indicates. The risk is also raised if the smoking starts before the age of 13.
The purpose of the study was to find out if young people’s daily cigarette smoking is associated with a risk of psychoses, after accounting for several known, confounding factors, such as alcohol and drug use, the hereditary taint of psychoses and early symptoms of psychosis.
“This was an extensive longitudinal study based on the general population. It revealed that daily and heavy smoking are independently linked to the subsequent risk of psychoses, even when accounting for previous psychotic experiences, the use of alcohol and drugs, substance abuse and the parents’ history of psychoses. Smoking begun at an early age was a particularly significant risk factor. Based on the results, prevention of adolescent smoking is likely to have positive effects on the mental health of the population in later life,”
said study leader Academy Research Fellow, Professor Jouko Miettunen.
Risk Of Psychosis
The research was based on the 1986 birth cohort of Northern Finland and it originally included more than 9,000 people. 15- to 16-year-old members of the cohort were invited to participate in a follow-up study carried out in 2001–2002.
The final sample included 6,081 subjects who answered questions on psychotic experiences and alcohol and drug use. The follow-up continued until the subjects had reached the age of 30.
The team also conducted a study on cannabis use. The study found that teenage cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis. It also showed that people who had used cannabis and had psychotic experiences early in life experienced more psychoses during the period of study.
“We found that young people who had used cannabis at least five times had a heightened risk of psychoses during the follow-up, even when accounting for previous psychotic experiences, use of alcohol and drugs and the parents’ history of psychoses. Our findings are in line with current views of heavy cannabis use, particularly when begun at an early age, being linked to an increased risk of psychosis. Based on our results, it’s very important that we take notice of cannabis-using young people who report symptoms of psychosis. If possible, we should strive to prevent early-stage cannabis use,”
said Antti Mustonen.
Mustonen A, et al
Smokin hot: adolescent smoking and the risk of psychosis
Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2018 Feb 18. doi: 10.1111/acps.12863.
Antti Mustonen, et al.
Adolescent cannabis use, baseline prodromal symptoms and the risk of psychosis
The British Journal of Psychiatry
Last Updated on November 14, 2022