As more states legalize the possession and use of marijuana, we are beginning to get a clearer picture of the effects it can have on mental health. While advocates feel that the drug can do no harm, critics of legalization feel that there is nothing beneficial in marijuana – and the truth probably lies somewhere in between. However we do know that there has been an upswing in suicides and mental health disorders in states that have legalized the drug. So, what are the mental health risks of marijuana use?
Long Term Side Effects Of Marijuana Use
The short
term effects of marijuana use have been known for years. They include altered
judgement, weakened motor skills, and impairment of short term memory, along with
an associated difficulty in learning and retaining information.
However,
with long term use or heavy use of cannabinoids – particularly if the drug was
initially used early in adolescence – people are developing more serious mental
side effects. A 2016
study by Volkow, et al, found:
- Addiction (in about 9% of users overall, 17% of those who begin use in adolescence, and 25 to 50% of those who are daily users)
- Altered brain development
- Cognitive impairment, with lower IQ among those who were frequent users during adolescence
- Diminished life satisfaction
- Symptoms of chronic bronchitis (*we are now seeing this in the current vaping crisis, which has been linked to the use of THC pods)
- Increased risk of chronic psychosis disorders (including schizophrenia) in persons with a predisposition to such disorders
This is
especially concerning because the Volkow study also reported that, “Currently, marijuana is the most commonly
used “illicit” drug in the United States, with about 12% of people 12 years of
age or older reporting use in the past year and particularly high rates of use
among young people.”
Marijuana And Psychosis: Are They Linked?
Today’s marijuana
is not the same strength as what people were familiar with in the past –
cannabis is now much stronger. A review of the negative health effects of pot
in the Western
Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that, “Current commercialized
cannabis is near 20% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive
constituent of cannabis, while in the 1980s concentration was <2%. This
10-fold increase in potency does not include other formulations such as oils,
waxes, and dabs, which can reach 80–90% THC.” And, as the potency of marijuana
increases, so do the rates of mental health disorders and psychosis.
Age at first
use of the drug also makes a big difference. A 5-year study by Di Forti, et al,
that was published
in The Lancet in 2019 compiled
data from across 11 sites in Europe and in Brazil to reveal that the occurrence
of first-episode psychosis increased exponentially in those who used marijuana
daily or in high potency form. Although the study authors reported that “Use of
high-potency cannabis (THC ≥10%) modestly increased the odds of a psychotic
disorder compared with never use… those who had started using high-potency
cannabis by age 15 years showed a doubling of risk.” And, they said that,
“daily use of high-potency cannabis carried more than a four-times increase in
the risk of psychotic disorder.”
Cannabinoid Induced Psychosis
USAToday
recently ran an
article about the debate over cannabinoid induced psychosis. In it, they
detailed the downward spiral of a young man who had once been a star high
school athlete. After months of vaping a highly potent form of THC, he showed
up at work disoriented and speaking incoherently. Upon hospitalization, doctors
diagnosed him with “cannabis use disorder” and “psychotic disorder,
unspecified.”
If the young
man stays off pot for a year and has no further psychotic symptoms or episodes
during that time, he will join the growing number of pot smokers who have been
identified as suffering from cannabinoid induced psychosis (the diagnosis takes
a year in order to be sure the psychotic episode did not stem from another
reason).
This person is
not alone. For their story, USAToday also “interviewed a dozen parents whose
children suffered psychotic episodes – some of which led to schizophrenia –
related to their marijuana use. Several of the children died by
suicide. “
The USAToday
article went on to say that, “In May, more than 40 Massachusetts doctors,
psychiatrists, pediatricians and other public health professionals urged the
state to add psychiatric risk warnings to
marijuana packaging and to prohibit most advertising.”
Be Cautious Before Using Marijuana
In addition
to concerns about marijuana use and the associated mental health risks are the
recent vaping illnesses and deaths that have been reported. THC-containing
vaping products and e-cigarettes have been implicated in almost all the cases. The
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that people “should
not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly from
informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online sellers.”
At this
point, it is obvious that more research and time are needed to understand how
marijuana affects the brain. Clearly the drug isn’t as innocent as some people
believe. Until the results are in, think through the risks before deciding to
use pot or vape THC.
Find Help Here
For
more information about how we can help if you or a loved one are struggling with
marijuana use and mental health concerns, contact The Center for
Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders in Delray Beach, Florida or call us
today at 561-496-1094.