Cannabis use and psychotic experiences in an international sample of undergraduate students

Abstract

Cannabis use may be related to psychotic experiences in the general population. However, few studies have examined this relationship in undergraduate students despite high levels of cannabis use in this population. A sample of 334 undergraduate students (mean age = 22.2 years; 85.2% female, 14.8% male) from Britain, Ireland, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand took part in the study. Participants completed an author‐constructed questionnaire measuring cannabis use, and questions on psychosis from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS‐P) as adapted for self‐report format. No significant difference was found between those who had used cannabis at some point in their lives and those who had not. However, current cannabis use and frequency of use were associated with elevated levels of psychotic experiences. Level of consumption was also related to such experiences, but there was no effect of age of first use.

Keywords:

• cannabis
• marijuana
• psychosis
• psychotic
• students

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the university staff who helped with recruitment and to those who took the time to complete the questionnaires.