Researchers at Cardiff University (Stanley Zammit and colleagues) found a connection between frequent pot smoking and psychosis, schizophrenia, hearing voices and hallucinations. People who haven't smoked pot are less likely to display the same psychotic illnesses.
The researchers were clear that it's not that marijuana causes psychosis. Rather, marijuana triggers mental illness if the individual already has a predisposition to that illness. So if your family has a history of schizophrenia or other psychotic illnesses, smoking pot now could predispose you to struggle with mental illness later in life.
The British researchers concluded that "there is now sufficient evidence to warn young people that cannabis use will increase their risk of psychosis."
Other marijuana experts such as Alan Young (criminal law professor at York University) states the claims are "hollow." Young figures we'd have an epidemic of schizophrenia now, because of the past 40 years of heavy pot smoking.
Canada Leads World in Pot Smoking
If, as a recent United Nations study found, Canada does lead the world in pot smoking, then it stands to reason we have more mentally ill people. Probably they're mostly in Vancouver BC – the unofficial hemp capital of Canada.
Cannabis Culture Comments
Cannabis Culture is a Vancouver-based magazine about….you guessed it….pot. Editor and daily pot user Jodie Emery says, "Even if it does cause problems for some people, we shouldn't be lying to the public, saying it's going to drive you crazy. The people who have not gone crazy will point out that it's a lie." (The Globe and Mail, July 27, 2007)
Marijuana as Medicine
Pot can be useful in treating nausea, pain and loss of appetite because it affects certain receptors in the brain that control movement, memory, and vomiting. Smoking marijuana affects long-term memory and learning (not in a good way).
The Mayo Clinic states that one of the best uses of marijuana supported by research is the treatment of nausea. Cancer patients who are dealing with nausea caused by chemotherapy and AIDS patients suffering from nausea and weight loss may benefit from THC (a cannabinoid in marijuana).
Marijuana and Mental Illness
The effect of marijuana on psychotic illnesses may vary from individual to individual. Hallucinations, hearing voices, psychotic delusions and schizophrenia could be triggered by many things – and pot smoking may be one of them. It also depends on how much pot you smoke. The British study found that frequent pot smokers (daily or weekly marijuana users) were 50 to 200% more likely to experience psychosis. Your age and genetics also affects whether marijuana will trigger a psychotic illness.
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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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