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Psychosis symptoms can be triggered from the use of cannabis (also known as marijuana).
But to fully understand cannabis and psychosis, we first need to cover the cannabis plant. Cannabis produces over 100 cannabinoids, a class of chemical compounds that interact with receptors in our cells and alter the release of chemicals in the brain. The two you need to pay attention to, and that you’ll see most often, are:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t make you feel “high”.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is psychoactive, so can be behind that “high” feeling when used recreationally.
There’s lots of discussion around CBD vs THC and mental health effects. And, in fact, both of these cannabinoids, along with lots of other compounds found in the cannabis plant show signs of being antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer agents. But does this actually matter when we’re talking about psychosis? Let’s explore that below.
What is Psychosis?
Someone suffering from psychosis will lose some contact with reality, whether that’s seeing things, hearing things, or believing things that aren’t actually true. In other words, hallucinations and delusions. They could also experience disordered thinking and speaking, which can make their speech fast and confusing. The combination of these can cause severe distress and a change in behaviour, also known as a psychotic episode.
Lots of different things can cause psychosis including:
- A traumatic experience
- Stress
- Drug and alcohol misuse
- Side effects of prescribed medicine
- A physical condition, such as a brain tumour or dementia
- A head injury
- Childbirth
There are also some disorders that can cause psychosis:
- Schizophrenia is a condition that causes some psychological symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions.
- Bipolar disorder is a condition that can affect a person's mood. It can cause episodes of low mood (depression) and highs or elated mood (mania).
- Severe depression can also lead to symptoms of psychosis.
The above causes can all affect how often a psychotic episode occurs and how long it lasts.
The Link Between Cannabis and Psychosis
Although some people may use drugs like cannabis recreationally to manage psychosis, they can sometimes make symptoms worse.
There's a lot of research around how psychosis affects the brain. And one of the key findings is that changes in the brain can trigger symptoms of psychosis.
It’s likely this is linked to increased activity of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are a signalling chemical inside the brain. They help send information. Dopamine is just one neurotransmitter that affects the body, brain and behaviours. Reducing the effects of dopamine can reduce the symptoms of psychosis.
Many of THC’s reinforcing effects are mediated by the dopamine system. However, due to complex cannabinoid-dopamine interactions, there’s conflicting evidence on whether THC does more bad than good when it comes to psychosis.
Some studies show THC increasing dopamine release and neuron activity, whilst others, particularly with long-term use, associate THC with blunting the dopamine system.
Further research is needed, but for now it’s best to avoid using cannabis if you suffer from psychosis.
It’s also worth noting that people who suffer from any of the following general medical conditions, some of which are genetic, may be at a higher risk. This is because these conditions have been known to trigger psychotic episodes in some people:
- HIV and AIDS
- Malaria
- Syphilis
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Hypoglycaemia (an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood)
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Brain tumour
- Sudden illness or injury, such as a high temperature or a head injury
It’s really important to touch on age when we talk about THC and mental health. For young children and adolescents, cannabis can affect their brain development and mental function, meaning it could actually lead to psychosis and mental health issues.
Symptoms of Psychosis Triggered by Cannabis
As we’ve said, psychosis can be a result of a number of health conditions. But what happens to the body when it’s brought on by the use of cannabis? This is called cannabis-induced psychosis, and symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions or paranoia
- Confusion and disorganised thinking
- Depersonalisation
Recovery after cannabis-induced psychosis usually happens when someone stops using the drug. But we recommend seeking the help of a doctor, as you won’t be prescribed cannabis by Alternaleaf if you have a history of psychosis.
Can I access medical cannabis if I suffer from psychosis?
When you’re prescribed medical cannabis by a healthcare professional, they’ll first make sure it’s safe for you to consume. They’ll also be able to direct you on frequency of use and a strain that is suitable for you and your needs. At Alternaleaf, our specialists are with you throughout your entire medical cannabis journey, so you’ve got nothing to worry about. However we will never prescribe medical cannabis to anyone with a history of psychosis.
If you do have a history of psychosis and are using cannabis recreationally, we strongly advise that you stop your use immediately. We’d definitely recommend discussing the matter with your GP or another healthcare professional.
Summary
Increasing the risk of cannabis-induced psychosis is something that should be avoided at all costs.
Medical Cannabis can be used to help alleviate many chronic health conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression and more. Unfortunately, if you’ve been diagnosed with psychosis before, you won’t be able to access treatment.
You can visit the Alternaleaf website for more information on what we treat, and to see if you’re eligible. If you have any questions, get in contact with us. We’ll do our best to help you, or someone you know, as best we can. There’s also lots of help and useful information on our website.