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FreudPhilly

"Do you think that cannabis does such a thing? I personally don't think it does."

Excellent empirical question! Science is still out on what exactly causes schizophrenia. Given that there are people afflicted with schizophrenia who have never touched marijuana, I think it is safe to say that ALL schizophrenia is not caused by marijuana. However, it is certainly possible that some individuals who smoke marijuana may develop schizophrenia. Why?

Marijuana, although a natural product, has chemicals which affect the brain. This will be important in a moment- keep it in mind.

The current theory, as to how mental illness develops, is called the "diathesis-stress model". Understand that this is a THEORY, not a fact.

A 'diathesis' refers to biological & genetic factors. Look at family history, gene/chromosomal abnormalities, exposure to environmental toxins during gestation, etc. In other words, someone can be pre-disposed, GENETICALLY, to have schizophrenia (or any other mental illness)-- however that doesn't necessarily mean that it will develop for them. Its kind of like how sickle cell anemia works- you can be a carrier for it, but never have any problems with it in your entire life.

The 'stress' refers to any psychological, social, chemical factors that occur after birth. This could be a drug, medication, death of a loved one, lack of appropriate care during childhood, etc-- anything that places a stress on the balance of the brain's chemistry.

Therefore, this theory states that if you are predisposed to a certain mental illness (schizophrenia, depression) and some sort of stressor occurs, that stressor may activate the predisposition and the individual will show signs of the mental illness.

The "bottom line" is that it depends on who you are and on your family & genetic history! Someone might be predisposed to schizophrenia, smoke weed all their life, and never show any signs of the illness. Another person might be predisposed to the illness, never smoke weed, take a prescription medication from their doctor one day, and start seeing and hearing unusual things.

Schizophrenia is a very complex mental illness with a great deal of potential "causes". According to current theory, it takes a certain combination of potential causes in order to develop the disease-- but we are nowhere near figuring out the combination of causes, nor determining what ALL of the potential causes are.

The only way we will know for sure is by more research, with replicated results-- don't believe anyone who tells you that it is a "fact" that marijuana causes schizophrenia.

 

NarcolepticBob

I dont think weed causes schizophrenia but I do truly believe it can cause it to come out if you already have it.
For the last 5 months i have felt exactly the same way you have described and I too have begin to wonder if I'm slowly losing my mind. Then again it could be depression, just about everything runs in my family heh

TripDaniels

For the past few months its been happening to me too. I've just been like what MamaBudz said, being very introspective. Asking myself questions all the time. I know I'm going to get over it. You will too. It just takes some time.
Just remember the more you subconciously or conciously look down on marijuana, the more uncomfortable you'll feel getting high. You may be able to help yourself along by ritualizing your smoking more. Plan it ahead, invite a couple friends over, make some brownies, have to take your shoes off.

FreudPhilly

"Just take it easy and don't worry about the whole schizophrenia/MJ thing, because there is no proof behind that."

I have seen cannabis-induced psychosis, clinically, although the length of time in the patient was not long enough to diagnose schizophrenia (nor were there enough negative symptoms to diagnose a formal thought disorder).

GJ-- from what you describe, you are experiencing something called derealization- things don't seem as they are and this can be due to several things. This isn't a common symptom of schizophrenia, but rather tends to be associated with anxiety disorders as well as dissociative disorders. There is hope for you, but you are advised to get yourself some professional help.

If these symptoms have persisted for more than two weeks after smoking the substance, I would urge you to consult with a psychiatrist. This is an individual who can prescribe you medication that will likely eliminate or reduce your unpleasant symptoms. Don't worry about schizophrenia at this point, just concern yourself with getting some help.

Left untreated, these things can get much worse. Please don't give up hope.

EDIT: If you live in the United States or Canada, your psychiatrist is ethically and legally unable to report your substance abuse to authorities without your consent. If you are under the age of 18 and living in the United States, your parents WILL have access to your treatment information upon their request- although you can ask the psychiatrist to protect your confidentiality regarding your drug use.

GrowFun21

Yes, but isnt it true that if you are under 18 your psychologist/psychiatrist can alert your parents to your smoking anyway as long as they deem it as dangerous to your life....Some anti-marijuana psychologists have been known to use this as a way of getting around things and informing parents........Highly unlikely, but it has been done....

__________________
- A coward dies a million deaths, but a soldier only die once............Tupac Shakur

- Home is nice, but it isn't somewhere I would want to live

 

FreudPhilly

"Yes, but isnt it true that if you are under 18 your psychologist/psychiatrist can alert your parents to your smoking anyway as long as they deem it as dangerous to your life....Some anti-marijuana psychologists have been known to use this as a way of getting around things and informing parents........Highly unlikely, but it has been done...."

You're right, some of the old-school psychologists who have not researched marijuana DO exploit the age-minimum on most consent laws and will inform parents even AFTER the minor has expressed desire to maintain confidentiality with regard to marijuana abuse.

My suggestion is to ask questions of the psychologist, just as she/he will ask questions of you. Ask about something called "assent", which refers to a minor's ability to agree or disagree to a treatment decision. It is not legally binding but it IS ethically recommended of all psychologists-- to secure assent of minors.

Generally speaking, most adolescent/child psychologists will not be willing to jeapordize the trust involved in the therapeutic relationsihip by revealing information that the patient has REQUESTED be kept confidential. It is a fine line and "clinical judgment" is a vague descriptor. Focus on your symptoms, unless you are going to be placed on medication.

If you are going to be placed on medication, you will most likely be referred to a psychiatrist. Many psychiatrists are under a great deal of pressure from managed-care companies now days, and do not have ample time to meet with families & provide therapy. Their role is more to determine the best medication (and dose of medication) to reduce your symptoms. There is less probability of a psychiatrist calling in the parents to report the drug use, although there is always the risk.

However, given what can happen when psychological problems are left untreated (in the worst cases suicide, psychosis, homicide), this is a tough decision to make. Do you risk symptoms getting worse, or do you risk your parents being told from a health care professional? It is a personal choice, in the long run.

Katfish

I'm not a psychologist, nor do I have any classroom or clinical experience with schizophrenia. But, I have researched it to some extent on my own as I feel I have a schizoid personality disorder.

Schizophrenia seems to be exasterbated by high levels of dopamine, and marijuana can increase the natural output of dopamine in your brain. I think that if anything, that might be the link between the two. No drug will cause schiozophrenia, but if you've already got it (and it's estimated that 1 out of 100 people have some form of schizoid psychosis), especially if it's in it's predromal phase, it could trigger a full-on episode.

Keep in mind, though: what many people think schizophrenia is ISN'T schizophrenia. Hallucinating voices and the like, while certainly being typical in schizophrenia patients, is an accessory symptom -- it accompanies the disease, but it isn't the disease itself. 'Normal' people can feel one or more of the symptoms typical of schizophrenia without actually being schizophrenic themselves.

If you're worried about it, seek professional testing. But chances are, it's depression or some other more common disorder. If you were full blown schizo, I guarantee that you would KNOW something was amiss, rather than speculating about it. It isn't one of the most subtle things out there.

__________________
I'm leaking into stoned and severed existance
I've been consumed by my own breath

TripDaniels

If anything, cut back on the grass, take a deep breath. Find yourself. Go workout, meditate, try some yoga. Find about ten minutes to yourself everyday and daydream. You can only learn to live by living. What Mamabudz said, is probably what your going through. Especially for guys, we get hit by that harder because we never talk about stuff like this to friends. Go sit in front of the mirror, and talk to yourself for an hour. You have all the time in the world to be free.

FreudPhilly

I completely agree!

Mamabudz

Of course so could too little sleep or too much Pepsi or Coke (caffeine)

Always good to keep some perspective on this.