Cannabis is a plant used to make several psychoactive products, with marijuana being the most common. In this article, “cannabis” will refer to all these products.
What Is Psychosis?
Psychosis is when someone can no longer see or understand reality as it truly is.
People with psychosis may have hallucinations, like hearing voices, seeing things that aren’t there, or feeling sensations that have no real cause.
In addition, delusions can also happen. These are strong beliefs that aren’t true, such as thinking someone is watching or following you, or that someone wants to control your thoughts or hurt you.
Psychosis is not a disease by itself. It can be a symptom of different mental health conditions, like schizophrenia. It can also happen with other illnesses or after using certain drugs.
Can psychoactive substances trigger schizophrenia?
For some, using psychoactive substances can cause a long-lasting psychotic state, with symptoms that continue for months or even years after stopping use.
People who are genetically at risk for schizophrenia, especially if they start using cannabis as teens or young adults, may develop the illness sooner because cannabis can act as a trigger. Without cannabis, the illness might appear much later or not at all.
Chronic psychosis can also happen in people without any known genetic risk. In these situations, cannabis or other drugs may be the main cause.
No matter what causes psychosis, treatment usually means seeing a psychiatrist regularly. Often, antipsychotic medicines are needed. How well someone recovers depends on things like genetics, age, how long and how much of the substance was used, and personal health factors.
As a result, two people can use the same drug but have very different effects.
Why does cannabis deserve special attention?
Many think cannabis is safer than other drugs. However, new research shows it is a major risk for psychotic disorders in people who are already at risk.
Furthermore, another risk is that some modern cannabis products have much higher levels of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient, than in the past.
Teens and young adults are especially at risk. Their brains are still developing, and many mental health problems first show up during these years.
Some people with anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles use cannabis to try to feel better. However, instead of helping, it can make their symptoms worse and even make mental health problems progress.
When should you see a psychiatrist?
If you notice any of the following after using marijuana or other drugs, get professional help right away:
- auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations;
- severe suspicion or delusional thoughts;
- a feeling of losing touch with reality;
- the symptoms persist after you stop using the substance;
- the condition interferes with work, school, relationships with loved ones, or daily life.
Call for emergency help if someone becomes aggressive, loses control of their actions, is a danger to themselves or others, or is completely out of touch with reality.
Conclusion
If psychotic symptoms appear after using marijuana or other drugs, it’s important to see a psychiatrist. This is especially true for teens and young adults, since psychotic disorders often start at this age.
Therefore, getting diagnosed and treated early can greatly improve recovery, help control symptoms, and lower the chance of psychosis happening again.
If you or someone you know has these symptoms after using marijuana, see a psychiatrist as soon as you can. At Silk Medical, psychiatrist Nino Akubardia offers consultations, diagnoses mental health conditions, prescribes medication, and creates treatment plans tailored to each person.
