- The Connection Between Marijuana Use and Psychosis: What You Need to Know

Marijuana Induced Psychosis

This might push a few buttons to those who are pot smokers, but this is a topic dear to my heart. Marijuana induced psychosis has become a serious problem that needs to be addressed and people need to be warned. I know, I've heard it before and I can hear it now, "pot mellows people out", "it's not dangerous like cocaine or heroin or fentanyl or other street drugs". I think that is why it is so dangerous because it is least expected. I know that not all people are affected the same by THC, but mind you, just because they don't have psychosis now does not mean that their brains haven't shrunk and that schizophrenia is not in their very near future.

Associated Genes

MTHFR C677T polymorphism is significantly related to schizophrenia and major depression in the overall population. MTHFR C677T has been linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder in the recessive model (TT vs. CT + CC). Ethnic groups shows that schizophrenia and major depression significantly correlate with MTHFR C677T and A1298C in Asian populations but not Caucasians. Furthermore, schizophrenia is correlated substantially with MTHFR C677T in the African population.

(Front. Psychiatry, 17 August 2022) Mind you Induced marijuana psychosis  looks just like schizophrenia and may turn into a full blown case if continued. The most consistent finding of psychosis was with COMT rs4680 where the presence of the val allele was associated with a higher risk for cannabis induced psychosis. This higher susceptibility was also reported for AKT1 rs2494732 with the CC group. Of note the only genome wide association study identified a significant signal close to the cholinergic receptor. Muscarinic 3 represented by rs115455482 and rs74722579 predisposing to cannabis induced hallucinations.

The Dopamine Link

These genes affect the dopamine pathways and evidence supports the role of dopamine in cannabis induced psychosis. The risk of induced psychosis is also moderated by other factors such as stress and family history. Within this context, It is important to determine potential markers for future psychosis risk. That being the case research has begun to link heightened dopamine reactivity with the psychotomimetic effects of cannabis, such information may assist in new pharmacotherapies in addition to screening patients for psychosis. Smoking weed puts you at greater risk for developing schizophrenia but the exact biological mechanism remains unclear. But it would be wise for one with these genetic mutations to stay clear of this substance.

Marijuana Crimes

Marijuana since legalisation has seen emergency room visits climb by 53%. Not only that but crimes associated with marijuana use are up. Although the media is biased about the news it shares many criminal cases are associated with smoking weed. Recently the Thousand Oaks case murder that went to trial did make the news, but there are many others that the news fails to mention.  1. Alex Berenson, author of Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence, pointed out that the New York Times had curiously removed from an article about the Uvalde school shooter a former coworker’s recollection that he complained about his grandmother not letting him smoke weed. The Times didn’t append a correction to the story as it might be expected to do when fixing a factual inaccuracy. Assuming the elided detail was accurate, it would fit a pattern. Mass shooters at Rep. Gabby Giffords’s constituent meeting in Tucson, Ariz. (2011), a movie theatre in Aurora, Colo. (2012), the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. (2016), the First Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas (2017), and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. (2018), were reported to be marijuana users. It could be a coincidence, but increasing evidence suggests a connection. (Mo Med. 2022 Jul-Aug; 119(4): 312–313.)

Addiction

There are many other cases that go undocumented and I am sure there will be more cases since legalisation and the widespread availability. Apps like leafly make ordering easy and it is delivered to your front door. It is quite alarming. This drug is so addictive it makes it difficult to quit without outside help. Rehab centres are up to 80k a month for a good one. I have heard addicts say I need my medicine. I am sorry but weed that has a 60% THC level is NOT medicine. It is a common excuse for one going through psychosis, they feel they need it.

Homelessness and Demonic voices

The weed today is not grandma's weed of the past. It is a highly potent spiked weed that can contains 20 times as much THC than that of the 60's. Thank you government for your money driven law! Homelessness on the rise is also a repercussion of the legalisation of marijuana. Young people standing on the street talking to themselves pushing carts. It is heart breaking and I have witnessed this first hand. These young people are hearing demonic voices. They think that if they smoke more the voices will go away, but the potent weed is actually causing the voices. Many have killed themselves because of marijuana induced psychosis and caused many families grief. There is help if one will realise that the marijuana they are smoking is the issue, but often it is hard to get through to them once addicted. They need to be off of it and come back to reality before the help can begin.

Getting Help

I am not a proponent of psychiatric drugs, but in emergency instances Risperidone can get someone back to sanity. Then it is important to get treatment with B12 injections and methyl groups to help balance the brain back. Therapy might also be necessary.  If you are one who smokes and has not experienced psychosis, it doesn't mean you won't wake up one day to a major psychiatric disorder ten years down the line or other neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, 2. Evidence that regular cannabis use is associated with grey matter volume reduction in the medial temporal cortex, temporal pole, parahippocampal gyrus, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex; these regions are rich in cannabinoid CB1 receptors and functionally associated with motivational, emotional, and affective processing.. Neuropsychopharmacology v.39(9); 2014 Aug PMC4104335.

Conclusion

There are many shared stories of families that have been pained by this issue. You can hear about them at everybrainmatters.org

If you or a loved one who is engaging in marijuana and are concerned, have them tested for these genetic polymorphisms so they can steer clear of any future devastation.