Project overview
Using cannabis increases the risk of psychosis. This includes hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and delusions (e.g., paranoia – thinking that others are trying to harm us). Most people who use cannabis do not develop psychosis, and it's not fully understood why cannabis leads to psychosis in some people but not others. Around a third of people with 'first episode psychosis' use cannabis, and people with psychosis who use cannabis have worse outcomes – more severe symptoms and more hospitalisations. Cannabis can also be used to self-medicate, leading to a vicious circle of more cannabis use and more severe psychosis.
We are working with people with psychosis, their family and friends, and NHS clinicians, to develop psychological interventions to improve recovery outcomes for people with cannabis related psychosis. Our work focuses on key psychological processes (thinking patterns) – blaming others for unusual experiences (e.g., believing that somebody is playing a trick on me if I hear a voice), and getting caught up in difficult thoughts (e.g., not being able to stop thinking about my fears). With an understanding of these thinking patterns, we can support people to make informed decisions about cannabis use, and minimise the impact of cannabis related psychosis.
We are working with people with psychosis, their family and friends, and NHS clinicians, to develop psychological interventions to improve recovery outcomes for people with cannabis related psychosis. Our work focuses on key psychological processes (thinking patterns) – blaming others for unusual experiences (e.g., believing that somebody is playing a trick on me if I hear a voice), and getting caught up in difficult thoughts (e.g., not being able to stop thinking about my fears). With an understanding of these thinking patterns, we can support people to make informed decisions about cannabis use, and minimise the impact of cannabis related psychosis.
Staff
Lead researchers
Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups
Research outputs
Katherine Newman-Taylor, Thomas Richardson, Rachel Lees, Katherine Petrilli, Helen Bolderston, Chandni Hindocha, Tom Freeman & Michael Bloomfield,
2021, Psychosis, 13(2), 167-174
Type: article
Katherine Newman-Taylor, Thomas Richardson, Monica Sood, Matthew Sopp, Emma Perry & Helen Bolderston,
2020, Psychosis, 12(4), 314-327
Type: article
Thomas H. Richardson,
2011, Archives of General Psychiatry
Type: article