Dr. Kalil: Drug use in adolescence is a major risk factor for schizophrenia

As psychiatrists Rodrigo Bressan and José Gallucci Neto explained during CNN's Sinais Vitais , marijuana use before the age of 15 can significantly increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Data indicate that early use of the substance can increase the chances of developing the disease by up to five times.

The correlation between drug use and the development of schizophrenia is directly linked to the amount and frequency of use. The risk persists even after age 15, but with less intensity compared to earlier use.

Risk factors and manifestation of the disease

In addition to drug use, traumatic events and sexual abuse are also considered important risk factors for the development of schizophrenia. The disease presents a combination of genetic and environmental factors that can influence its onset.

Schizophrenia typically manifests during adolescence or early adulthood, with approximately 70% of mental illness cases originating in early childhood and adolescence. Studies show that the incidence is 1.4 times higher in men than in women, with earlier onset in males.