Smoking Cannabis Virtually Doubles the Risk of Developing Mental Illness such as Schizophrenia

However, there is accumulating evidence of the psychological consequences of using marijuana. Many chronic marijuana smokers have a psychosis that is now medically deemed as, “A-motivational Syndrome” (Chopra 38). A psychosis is a condition where a person experiences some loss of contact with reality. A person with a psychosis can experience any or more of the following symptoms: auditory hallucinations (hearing voices that aren't really there), visual hallucinations (seeing things which aren't there), delusions (believing things that aren't true), jumbled thoughts and strange behavior. Patients with A-motivational Syndrome are left with the well-recognized and permanent symptoms of memory loss, apathy and loss of motivation (Chopra 38). After marijuana started to be widely used approximately 20 years ago, for permanent damage to occur it was felt by some that marijuana had to be heavily used over at least three years. However, there is accumulating evidence that smaller amounts will do damage. It is logical that to get the permanent “ A-motivational Syndrome”, small amounts of damage have to accumulate incrementally (Chopra 40). Although many marijuana connoisseurs of today may totally deny that that the use of this drug has lasting effects on the brain, research findings clearly indicate that long-term use of marijuana produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse (Erickson 89).

Within the past decade, there have been many studies on the subject of marijuana, or cannabis, in the hopes of becoming aware of the long-term consequences. One popular psychological study is the relationship between marijuana and schizophrenia. The research on this subject focuses on the hypothesis of marijuana directly causing schizophrenia, and if it does, should marijuana be sold with a warning label, advising people of the long-term risks.

These summary debates summarize and discuss are the calculation of cannabis use for many individuals with PTSD. According to the article, Does Cannabis Cause Exacerbated or Ameliorate Psychiatric Disorders, Neuropsychopharmacology (2016) 41, the authors of the article gives opposing viewpoints concerning the influence cannabis use has on those with post-traumatic stress disorder, the relationship with schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders.

Some users of marijuana have later been diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia. There is currently sufficient evidence to conclude that those who start using marijuana at an earlier age, have a higher risk of developing psychotic behaviour such as schizophrenia (Timms, Dr. Phillip). A study that was conducted with 1,600 Australian students aged around fourteen-fifteen, in which these students were watched closely for about seven years, found that those children who used marijuana regularly are at a higher risk for depression (Timms, Dr. Phillip). In fact, it was noted that adolescents who have used marijuana regularly were five times more likely to develop depression and anxiety into their adulthood (Timms, Dr. Phillip). There are many cases that link the use of marijuana to the increased chance of forming mental illnesses. Marijuana mentally shuts down a person time after time without even realizing the effects yourself.

Moore, T., Zammit, S., Lingford-Hughes, A., Barnes, T., Jones, P., Margaret Burke, & Lewis, G. (2007). Cannabis use and risk of psychotic or affective mental health outcomes: a systematic review. The Lancet, 370, 319-328.

In 2002, a study found that the use of cannabis in adolescence can significantly increase the probability of developing schizophrenia in adulthood, especially if the teenager had been smoking the drug since they were fifteen years-old. Teenagers who smoke marijuana are sixty percent less likely to finish high school or get a university degree due to their drug

If I had more time in conducting my online research, I would have explored more information on how medical cannabis negatively affects the brain. Although I just previously went over the two main effects, there was many more interesting brain effects to be discussed and

The researchers measured other factors as well that could have influenced the findings, including cigarette smoking, other illicit drug use, and participants' access to health insurance. Although there were no differences in the findings based on race or ethnicity, the study included only males; there were no findings or conclusions about women.

The dose of THC needed to kill 50% of tested rodents is extremely high(”Swaine, Jon”). Acute effects may include anxiety and panic, impaired attention, and memory, an increased risk of psychotic symptoms, and possibly an increased risk of accidents if a person drives a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Short-term Cannabis intoxication can hinder the mental processes of organizing and collecting thoughts. This condition is known as temporal disintegration. Psychotic episodes are well-documented and typically resolve within minutes or hours. There have been few reports of symptoms lasting longer. Cannabis has not been reported to cause fatal overdose. Studies have shown that cannabis use causes impairments in memory that persist beyond short-term

Although some people use it for medical purposes, there are others who use it for their personal enjoyment. Further, marijuana is a cannabis plant that can be smoked or eaten. When marijuana is smoked or ingested the psychoactive cannabinoid chemical known as THC along with other cannabinoids interact with the body by filling the brain receptors known as cannabinoid type 1 (CB1R) and type 2 receptors (CB2R) with dopamine, which is the brain’s reward chemical. (Sharma, et al, 2012). Furthermore, the CB1R are associated with the cognition, body movement, and sensory perception, which is the reason for effects on short-term memory, coordination and balance. Additionally, the CB2R receptors are found in the immune system tissues, such as the lymph nodes and spleen (Sharma, et al, 2012). This receptor is said to suppress the function of the immune system, but these functions are not completely understood. The effects of THC on these receptors explain why people experience behavioral effects such as; relaxation, lack of concentration, euphoria, paranoia and panic. People also experience physiological effects such as; increased appetite, rapid changes in blood pressure and heart rate (Sharma, et al, 2012). Moreover, chronic abuse of marijuana at a young age may lead to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, but different environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of a

There also are links between marijuana and other mental health conditions. Marijuana use may trigger schizophrenia or detachment from reality (psychosis) in people who are at higher risk of psychosis. The symptoms of diagnosed psychotic illness may be aggravated if marijuana use continues.

Dr. Nora Volkow, a Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health, doesn't believe the use of marijuana causes a person to develop schizophrenia, but believes it can cause psychotic systems. Dr. Volkow believes

topic was tested. While all the studies examined the effects of cannabis and its connection to

There are several myths presented to make marijuana seem harmful to one’s health, but many of them have been proven scientifically wrong. Three myths commonly presented and associated with smoking marijuana are: marijuana causes mental permanent mental illness, smoking marijuana is more harmful to the lungs than smoking tobacco, and also marijuana is a gateway drug. Through my research I have found that the commonly believed myths and misconceptions of marijuana intoxication are only social fears of those whom have not done any research on the effects of the drug.

First, opponents of medical marijuana argue that the principal constituent of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one with more than 60 active ingredients in marijuana, which can bind to cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences them, which are interfering thinking, concentration, memory and cognitive abilities on the brain over time. Thus, marijuana should not be legalized for medical purposes. However, THC in marijuana has medical benefits. A recent study by University of Saskatchewan shows that “Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis. Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis.” The study has also proven that THC in marijuana can protect and promote the growth of new brain cells from inflammation and oxidative stress (Leaf Science, 2014). Also, the Center for Mental Health Research at Australian National University researched on nearly 2000 marijuana users in age 20 to 24. After 8 years, they found that there was a little negative long-term effect on cognition and the brain within marijuana users (Time magazine). In fact, compared to modern pharmaceuticals, marijuana is viewed as a medicinal potential that proved to be more an effective treatment since it is natural and contains unique chemical compounds as THC. Prescribing