Faculty Sponsor: Professor Kaparakis
Live Poster Session: Zoom Link
Abstract: Cannabis use has steadily increased among the American population, driven by widespread legalisation of the drug. While the legalization of cannabis is widely supported, its use has been linked to negative mental health outcomes. Similarly, trauma, such as the death of a parent, is a well-established risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders. This study explores the interaction between cannabis use and parental death to investigate their combined impact on the development of mania. By examining whether individuals who frequently use cannabis and have experienced parental loss are at a heightened risk of mania, this research aims to provide new insights into the relationship of substance use and trauma in the onset of psychiatric disorders.