Psychosis and health issues
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| Cannabis is one of the safest drugs in the
world. There is no fatal dose and an absolute minimum of side-effects. But no drug is
universally appropriate. A percentage of people are allergic to penicillin. For this
percentage of people, penicillin is fatal. With cannabis, a very small percentage are
adversely affected, none fatally.
Some studies show a correlation between heavy cannabis use and schizophrenia, but none are convinced about causation. It may signal self-medication. Desperate people try all sorts of drugs for relief. Other recognised
triggers for psychosis are alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, stress, trauma, etc. We are all
prone to psychotic episodes in certain situations, such as the Vietnam War, marriage
breakups, cocaine addiction, homelessness, alienation, or even pets dying. Many so-called
cannabis-induced psychotic episodes are not solely due to cannabis, but usually a mixture
of cannabis and other drugs such as alcohol, amphetamines, or prescription drugs. In this modern world
we all have personal experience in varying degrees of paranoia or psychosis, but the
confusion of being a criminal for smoking a herb is a big dilemma for the cannabis
culture. Most people want to be law-abiding citizens! This is where we believe most mental
problems originate—from fear, because of prohibition! Being labelled a criminal, and knowing you are not, is a major paradox to mentally handle. Many do not easily. Because of being a criminal and all that’s associated with it, serious alienation can set it. People withdraw into themselves and go crazy with loneliness. Where do you go for help? You can’t tell your parents, friends, friends of parents, teachers, authorities, etc. Enforced secrecy is a burden breeding mistrust, fear and paranoia.
We are also concerned about reports of psychosis associated with hydroponic pot use. Headaches and migraines from hydro use are common. More research is needed on hydro pot and the effects of smoking the chemicals used in growing. Regulation would lead to earlier detection and treatment of cannabis-related problems, as people will be less afraid to consult their family or health care worker. The only consistent health concerns from research on cannabis use are respiratory problems from smoking. |
Of interest is the fact that "paranoia" or psychosis are only
recently documented side-effects of cannabis. All the ancient pharmacopias and herbal
guides do not list paranoia, psychosis or any mental illness as symptoms of cannabis use.
Paranoia is only a factor in countries where cannabis is an illegal drug. In many
countries cannabis use is still part of daily lifestyle as it has been for centuries, and
cannabis psychosis there is unknown, as it was in Australia when cannabis could be bought
over the counter.