Can marijuana use actually cause cannabis-induced psychosis, or are reports of this condition little more than sensationalized rumors? Get the facts today, so that you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
What Exactly Is Cannabis?
To understand what cannabis-induced psychosis is, it can help to briefly review what cannabis itself is.
Cannabis is the category of flowering plants that marijuana comes from. The two main types of cannabis plants are cannabis sativa and cannabis indica.
Both types of cannabis naturally produce hundreds of compounds that are known as cannabinoids. Three of the more well-known cannabinoids are:
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (or delta-9 THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It is present in large amounts in both the sativa and indica versions of cannabis
- Delta-8 THC is similar to delta-9, but it naturally occurs in much smaller amounts and has less potent effects. Many products that contain delta-8 use a synthesized version.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) also occurs in large amounts, but it does not have psychoactive effects. It is often used as an ingredient in supplements that are designed to ease pain, promote relaxation, and combat insomnia.
In addition to being the name of the plant, cannabis is also commonly used as a synonym for marijuana or weed.
What Is Cannabis-Induced Psychosis?
Cannabis-induced psychosis, which can also be referred to as weed-induced psychosis, describes a variety of powerful and distressing mental health effects, including acute perceptual distortions, that can result from marijuana use.
Depending on factors such as the type and amount of THC and CBD in a cannabis strain, typical effects include improved mood, relaxation, increased sensitivity to light and sound, talkativeness, and mild distortions in how a person perceives the passage of time. The drug can also cause feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and other less-pleasurable experiences.
In some cases, though, people report severe reactions that include:
- Audio, visual, and/or tactile hallucinations
- Delusions (believing things that have no basis in reality)
- Extreme paranoia
- Disorganized speech (difficulty expressing one’s thoughts in a clear and logical manner)
- Erratic behaviors, which can include aggression
Episodes of cannabis-induced psychosis can be highly distressing. They can also be potentially harmful, both to the individual who directly experiences the symptoms and to those who care about them.
In addition to posing a risk of physical injuries due to impaired judgment and perception, these temporary breaks with reality can be sources of ongoing psychological damage. Anyone who has experienced weed-induced psychosis should be evaluated by a doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
Why Has Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Been on the Rise?
Through the years, public health officials have often warned of weed’s dangers – but it seems like the topic of cannabis-induced psychosis received relatively little attention until fairly recently. The rise in reports about this potential danger may be related to several developments, including:
- Today’s marijuana is significantly stronger than the weed of yesteryear. According to addiction expert Elizabeth Stuyt, MD, most marijuana that was grown in the 1900s had THC levels of about 2%-4%. Today, weed with 20%-30% THC is common.
- Dr. Stuyt also noted that legalization has led to the development of cannabis products such as oils, dabs, and edibles, some of which can have THC levels as high as 95%.
- The legalization of marijuana in many states may have contributed to increased use of the drug among certain populations.
- As the legal marijuana industry continues to expand, studies on new uses (and potential dangers) of cannabis have also increased, as has news coverage about those who manufacture, sell, and use weed.
In other words, in the U.S., more people may be using more powerful cannabis products, with both journalists, advocates, and opponents of marijuana paying greater attention to how people are affected when ingest the drug.
Is Cannabis Addictive?
Weed-induced psychosis is not the only negative outcome that can result from marijuana use. Contrary to a persistent myth, you can also develop an addiction to cannabis.
This risk of becoming addicted to cannabis is lower than the risk of becoming dependent on other substances. But cannabis addiction can and does occur.
Yale Medicine reports that about 10% of people who use the drug will eventually develop cannabis use disorder (which is the clinical term for addiction to weed). Among current users, Yale Medicine estimates that as many as 30% may be addicted.
Compulsive weed use can expose a person to considerable harm, but cannabis use disorder is thankfully a treatable condition. With effective professional care, a concerted effort, and a functional support network, people who have become addicted to cannabis can end their use of this drug and live a healthier life in recovery.
How to Treat Cannabis Addiction
With addiction on the rise, many treatment centers such as Renewal Health Group offer rehab for marijuana addiction. No medications have been developed to treat cannabis addiction. However, if a person has been using marijuana to self-medicate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern, prescription medication can be an integral part of their care.
The therapies and support services that are commonly incorporated into cannabis addiction treatment include:
- Individual, group, and family therapy sessions
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Neurofeedback therapy
If a person’s cannabis use is associated with a history of untreated trauma, EMDR may also be beneficial for them.
It’s also important to remember that treatment is just part of a person’s path toward long-term recovery from cannabis addiction. Effective providers will also develop personalized discharge plans to ensure that patients are connected to the resources and services that can support their efforts after they have transitioned out of treatment.
Contact Renewal Health Group to Start Cannabis Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
If you have become dependent on marijuana, Renewal Health Group is here to help.
We offer a full continuum of personalized addiction treatment services at three locations in the Los Angeles, California, area. In every program at each facility, you can expect to work in active collaboration with a team of experienced and compassionate professionals. We can identify and address your unique needs, then help you develop the specific skills that will empower you to end your cannabis use for good.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
