Maybe a recent holiday gift in your home was a new gaming system or video games...here's some information that parents should be aware of.
Growing research is raising concern about a potentially dangerous combination common among youth today - cannabis use paired with excessive gaming. Video games can be fun played in moderation, but health experts warn that when done in excess and combined with substance use, it may create a perfect storm for fueling psychotic disorders like psychosis, schizophrenia, and other serious mental health conditions - particularly in teens and young adults whose brains are still developing until their mid-20s.
We know that cannabis has been linked to development of psychotic disorders over the years and now recent research has provided an even clearer connection. A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Psychiatry in April 2025 found that cannabis use disorder is associated with increased dopamine activity in the same brain pathway involved in psychosis. The dopamine system plays a vital role in motivation, reward, and reality perception. Cannabis use alters the dopamine pathways. So does gaming as it releases dopamine through rewards. Combining the two together can overstimulate the brain's reward system and trigger psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disorganized thinking.
Parents should monitor children's gaming habits regularly and be alert for signs of substance use. Having open conversations creates safe environments where young people can feel comfortable seeking help if they are having problems.
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