A CBC Program called The Nature of Things—narrated by David Suzuki— just did a piece called The Downside of High. The film in whole can be seen here.
Dr. Jim Van Os, a Dutch researcher, and his group, gathered together the evidence from a bunch of studies. On the use of marijuana, Van Os said:
“We found that cannabis use nearly doubles the risk of developing future psychotic states…be it isolated psychotic symptoms or clinical psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia…But we need to have a better idea about the biological mechanism underlying the connections between cannabis and psychosis.”
For kids under 16, the use of marijuana may show a quadrupled rate in the likelihood of having psychosis. Unsurprising, on one level, in that it is a younger, developing brain, experiencing the effects—and dopamine and other hormones are being triggered, perhaps in excess.
One poor kid, already sensitive and stressed, and having experienced a psychotic break, was allegedly smoking three joints a day.
What this means in actual numbers of those having psychotic breaks is not clear, but it’s still certainly worth looking into. Either way, it still remains true that 435,000 people died from cigarette related illness in 2000, and no one died from marijuana.
Further, it is clear that it is illegal to sell cigarettes to minors, yet the drug seller of marijuana (or seller of any serious illicit drugs) couldn’t care less, as a rule, what age the user is. Like McDonald’s or other purveyors of vacuous food, the younger the better, undoubtedly.
To quote one of the kids:
“When I was young, it was easier to get marijuana than alcohol. We’d just go up the street and buy as much as we wanted. Whereas liquor we’d have to get somebody to buy it for us. It was a lot of work. A lot of effort. So we’d just buy weed. It was easier.”
And host David Suzuki asks, scientifically:
“But is it possible that cause and effect are mixed up? Could getting high have been an attempt to ease the early symptoms of underlying mental instability?”
Either way, it can be, for some—causing both relief and psychosis—a vicious circle.
FROM TLC TO THC
Finally, pot, by all accounts, is intensely stronger than the marijuana smoked in the 60s and 70s. Plants grown in-house have been cultivated to have much greater THC in a given plant. THC levels were 1-3% back then, and now they’re 18-23-25%. Health Canada states that THC has increased more than 130% in the last ten years. Imagine that bump in your glass of wine. Again, wouldn’t a little regulation help, in a legalization context? I would think so, but who can say? And it sure isn’t up to me.
Oh, and get this: the program mentioned that there’s actually a part of the plant that might trigger psychosis—the THC—and another part of the plant—cannabadiol (CBD)—actually seems to help buffer psychosis in a person (and convulsions in rats!). And worse, the CBD part of the plant—as the THC has been strengthened over the years—has actually been diminished, literally bred out of the plant. Messing with Mother Nature can be tricky.
Cannabidiol is a very mild drug, and is being worked by pharmaceuticals as a hopeful anti-schizophrenic/anti-psychotic drug. Fascinating, huh?
Old, normal, marijuana used to be about 4% of each (this contradicts the 1-3% above, but perhaps it’s a study from a different country), THC and CBD. More THC results in less CBD. Today’s pot is “delivering a double whammy.”
SUPER DOPE
Evidently, the United Nations (not literally the United Nations, but people in the building) has discussed classifying this high potency marijuana as a different drug. Still, according to the program, the vast majority of people are unaffected in terms of psychosis. This is for certain, given so many studies. But seeing as marijuana-producing paranoia has been known forever, it’s not surprising to me that some, unfortunately, are more prone to marijuan-related paranoia and even psychotic breaks.
POT OF GOLD
Get this, when I was in my twenties, I always felt a little bit mentally vulnerable. Knowing that, and having heard marijuana can make one paranoid, and believing I had a fragile brain, I never wanted to try it—nor did I.
Heck, I was so gentle, the pressures of playing junior hockey gave me colitis! I eventually quit, took up guitar, and it cleared up very quickly. What a sensitive boy.
Marijuana could certainly use some regulation (and in my opinion, legalization for a multitude of reasons). When it becomes slightly decriminalized (thus, not regulated), but at the same time is becoming excessively more potent—almost a different drug—it is a dilemma. Plus, it remains underground, with criminal groups becoming even more wealthy, powerful and dangerous. Why would any average citizen want that?
The journey continues. May we all listen a little closer to our “balance point.” Oh to feel fulfilled, complete, solid, creative…
Lots of love,
Pete
great post. I psychiatrist friend of mine has mentioned the possible side-effects of marijuana on kids, so it was interesting to read this. Thanks.
Hi Petesy. Good article, but as usual Suzuki doesn’t include any of the other great uses, such as pyrolysis of this plant which in about ten years could completely stop the havoc caused by fossil fuels. Love Dad
AVA MATE KNOWN 4 YRS , ANY WAY HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PARANOIR SCHIZOPHRENIA PSYCHOSIS. ONLY IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO BEFOR THAT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MANIC DEPRESSION FOR BOUT 15 YRS .
ITS ONLY SINCE THE CHANGE OFF MEDS IN THE LAST YR OR SO TH AT I CANT EVEN GO AND HAVE A BEER WITH HIM NO MORE AS LOST ALL PERSONALITY AND BASICALY CONVERSATION JUST DOESNT HAPPEN ANY MORE . LITTERALY THAT MUCH OF A CHANGE SINCE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THIS NEW TREATMENT HIS NOW ON. ALL I REALLY WANT TO KNOW IF MARIJUANA SMOKING EVERYDAY ON TOP OFF HIS MEDICATION DOES IT BRING ON ALL THESE STRANGE CHARACTERS WITH HIS ILLNESS AND ENDS UP IN HOSPITAL FOR ABOUT 3 TO 6 MNTHS AND THIS HAPPENS ROUND 2 TO 3 TIMES A YEAR
Suzuki’s question was poignant: Which came first.
Dr. Van Os confessed they have no proof of any underlying observable
biological link between marijuana and psychosis has been established.
“But we need to have a better idea about the biological mechanism underlying the connections between cannabis and psychosis.”
“Better idea” means any idea, in reality.
As we’ve seen in many studies, conclusions have been tainted by ideological and political predispositions.
The high THC is a result of criminal competition. Legalization and control would, like alcohol, curb potency and remove the taboo associated with the mystique of pot, which is a motivating factor in alluring early-pubescent teens.
The war on marijuana is a devastating failure that has caused much grief,harm and suffering.
Ed, I couldn’t agree with you more. The criminilization does not only stink of hypocrisy, like you said happens with prohibition, we now have a “moonshine” potency marijuana.
All the best,
pete
Good question, Chris. I just don’t know the answer. Mental illness is a tragic and difficult thing. The causes and how people cope are extremely interesting, but varied in the extreme. Meds definitely do change personality. Sometimes, to be sure, they help, and sometimes they can cause a lot of problems. I saw a friend—whether coincidental or not I don’t know—really spiral downwards after getting on meds. It’s difficult. I wish your friend well.
Pete