Marijuana and Madness

Description

The second edition of this critically acclaimed and award-winning text provides a comprehensive overview of the psychiatry and neuroscience of Cannabis sativa (marijuana). It outlines the very latest developments in our understanding of the human cannabinoid system, and links this knowledge to clinical and epidemiological facts about the impact of cannabis on mental health. Clinically focused chapters review not only the direct psychomimetic properties of cannabis, but also the impact consumption has on the courses of evolving or established mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Effects of cannabis on mood are reviewed, as are its effects on cognition. This new edition has been extensively updated and expanded with ten new chapters to incorporate major new research findings. This book will be of interest to all members of the mental health team, as well as to neuroscientists, epidemiologists, public health specialists and those involved in drug and alcohol research.

David Castle is Chair of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of Melbourne. Sir Robin M. Murray is Professor of Psychiatric Research, Institute of Psychiatry, and Honorary Consultant, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London. Deepak Cyril D'Souza is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Schizophrenia Research Program VACHS, and Director, VA-CMHC Schizophrenia Research Clinic, Yale University, Connecticut.

'The editors and publishers of this book have responded to a need for clear, research-based information on a topic of great current concern. They have done an excellent job.' American Journal of Psychiatry 'The chapters are compact but filled with quality research and sophisticated, in-depth analysis. The authors do not oversimplify or overemphasize the evidence. We congratulate them on their accomplishment and recommend this book enthusiastically for all clinicians and researchers interested in substance related issues.' Journal of the American Medical Association '... provides an excellent and unparalleled overview of current evidence-based thinking about cannabis and psychotic disorders, and should be read by anyone involved in clinical practice or research with people who suffer serious mental illness and also use cannabis. And let's face it that is probably most of us.' Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 'For colleagues in the mental health field, and in particular for those specializing in addictions, this text can serve as an up-to-date and comprehensive reference. Moreover, before moving ahead on marijuana-related legislation, any governor, lawmaker, or physician with 'medicinal' inclinations - as well as the general public - would be well-advised to become familiar with the contents of this book.' Journal of Clinical Psychiatry