The genes responsible for the increased risk of developing schizophrenia are the same as those linked to the increased likelihood of using cannabis.

The link between cannabis use and schizophrenia has been identified in the past, but no research has determined what the exact reason for this link is.

Robert Power, lead author of the study, sought to identify what exactly the link is between schizophrenia and cannabis use.

According to a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry, the association between the two is a result of common genes. Yet a causal relationship between the risk of schizophrenia and use of cannabis has not been ruled out.

The study, led by King’s College London and collaborated with the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Australia, involved 2,082 healthy people, 1,011 of whom had used cannabis in the past. The genetic risk profile of each participant was measured.

The scientists discovered that those who are genetically pre-disposed to schizophrenia have a higher likelihood of using cannabis, and use it more than those without the schizophrenia genes.

According to the World Health Organization, schizophrenia – a severe form of mental illness – affects about 24 million people around the world.

“We know that cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia. Our study certainly does not rule this out, but it suggests that there is likely to be an association in the other direction as well – that a pre-disposition to schizophrenia also increases your likelihood of cannabis use,” said Power in a statement.