Some interesting new data about marijuana use is coming out of an Australian study of 3100 young adults. Bottom line: Prolonged, regular use of cannabis often leads to the development of hallucinations, delusions and psychosis.

“Compared with those who had never used cannabis, young adults who had six or more years since first use of cannabis [i.e., who commenced use when around 15 years or younger] were twice as likely to develop a non-affective psychosis and were four times as likely to have high scores on the Peters et al Delusions Inventory [a measure of delusion],” wrote Dr. John McGrath, of the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Park Centre for Mental Health in Wacol, and colleagues. “There was a ‘dose-response’ relationship between the variables of interest: the longer the duration since the first cannabis use, the higher the risk of psychosis-related outcomes.”

The connection between psychosis and marijuana use is not as elemental as it may appear, however.  McGrath and his colleagues found that those who experienced hallucinations earlier in life were most likely to have used marijuana longer and with greater frequency.

“This demonstrates the complexity of the relationship: those individuals who were vulnerable to psychosis [i.e., those who had isolated psychotic symptoms] were more likely to commence cannabis use, which could then subsequently contribute to an increased risk of conversion to a non-affective psychotic disorder,” wrote the study authors.

Henry David Thoreau did it.

So did Jack Kerouac. 

Among others on the list are Ernest Hemingway, MFK Fisher, Wallace Stegner, Walt Whitman, John Muir, George Orwell and Jack London.

They are all famous and accomplished writers; but what else links these illustrious talents?

During their lifetimes they each undertook a journey, a sojourn into the world to better understand human stories, and experience for themselves the worlds within worlds. They left the relative comforts of lives and routines in order to better tell the tales for which they are now known.

During these odysseys, each relied on the generosity of family and friends, the kinship of other writers and artists, as well as the kindness of strangers, to provide shelter and creature comforts while they focused on the great works that would later make them famous and enrich the lives of generations to come.

And now, a new great talent is on the cusp of emergence.

Writer Jane Devin, frequently published at The Huffington Post, embarked on a year-long, cross-country journey last October and chronicles her adventure online at Finding My America. She’s blogging regularly, Tweeting almost non-stop, photojournaling, and speaking before community groups interested in new media and writing. All of this, and she still has time to drive across the country and work on a novel.

Jane’s talent is so apparent that GM is providing her with vehicles and Verizon with phone service. The rest is up to us. Jane usually stays in any one place for two or three days; and has thus far  been sheltered by generous folks willing to give her a bed and a roof for a few nights.

If you’ve ever considered yourself a patron of the arts, consider, now, giving Jane some of that patronage. Go to her website. Read her content. Discover what she is discovering and join her on her journey.

And if you feel inclined to offer support, do so. She’ll appreciate it and we’ll all benefit.

Glenn Close’s nephew, Calen Pick, is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Here, he and his cousin, Close’s daughter Annie Starke, discuss living with the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Additional video and information can be found at www.bringchange2mind.org

Shari and Brandon Staglin share their experiences living with schizophrenia.

For more video and information about mental illness visit www.bringchange2mind.org

Tricia and Karen Callaghan share their experiences  with chronic depression.

Additional video and information available at www.bringchange2mind.org

View additional videos and learn more by going to:

www.bringchange2mind.org

Fighting the stigma of mental illness…

For additional videos and information, go to:

www.bringchange2mind.org

Change a mind about mental illness. Save a life.

See more of Producer/Director Ron Howard’s ground-breaking videos fighting the stigma of mental illness at www.bringchange2mind.org

Mental Health America launched a new, interactive website called Live Your Life Well, where you’ll find tools to live a more balanced, healthy life, information about stress and wellness, personal success stories, a gratitude stream and much, much more.

Go to Live Your Life Well and see for yourself. Chances are, you’ll find lots of information to help you live a more healthy, balanced lifestyle.

The Fall 2009 issue of NAMI Beginnings magazine is now available in a downloadable format. Focusing on the integration of primary care and mental health screening, this is a must-read publication for almost everyone. Check it out and share it around!

For more about NAMI, visit their website or follow them on FACEBOOK.