Cannabis use may influence treatment mechanisms in first-episode psychosis

05/02/2026

A recent study from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute shows that cannabis use is associated with increased brain inflammation, which may affect the therapeutic effectiveness of antipsychotic treatments.

The study analysed brain MRI scans from nearly 100 individuals-patients with first-episode psychosis and healthy volunteers-using a novel technique that measures extracellular free water. This is the first study to apply this method to examine the effects of cannabis use in psychosis.

The findings are published in Molecular Psychiatry and reinforce recommendations against cannabis use in people with psychotic disorders.

Read more sobre "Cannabis use may influence treatment mechanisms in first-episode psychosis"