greenweed28

Can marijuana be used to help treat schizophenia?

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GET STONED ITS SO COOL
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Legalize Marijuana~~~Sic semper tyrannus!!

CheebaMonkey

Yes - and no. In some patients it helped them with the effects of schizophrenia, while for others, marijuana made it worse. Here is an article about treating schizophrenia with cannabis.

Merry Christmas.

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greenweed28

Thanks Cheebamonkey.

FreudPhilly

Be very careful.

When reviewing the references used in the article, we see that many of them are not current- all are prior to 2000. Additionally, you really need to have longitudinal clinical trials utilizing volunteers (at least 30 individuals) who have schizophrenia in order to determine the extent of symptom relief.

Much of the evidence cited was admittedly anecdotal- which may be fine, but it is far from scientific.

Working in the mental health industry for several years, I know that many individuals afflicted with schizophrenia state that smoking cigarettes provides them with enough of a structure throughout their day which acts as a form of 'reality-testing'.

However, I have never heard of any reports of marijuana treatment or self-medication.

CheebaMonkey

Let me ask you FreudPhilly since you have had experience in the mental health industry. An article submitted to Marijuana.com says that marijuana causes schizophrenia. Do you think that cannabis does such a thing? I personally don't think it does.

Leoii

I experienced psychosis for 2 years, right now it comes and goes. The doctors refuse to tell me what my real diagnosis is, they say depression and anxiety. When I smoke weed the symptoms go away, and I become more alot more energetic and I analyze the thoughts and suspicions in my head coming to a conclusion as to what the answers are. It was like a mood stabalizer but with a mix of happy thoughts and anxiety relief. I felt I was safe not worrying about my obsessions and I was motivated. I moved to texas and I was without weed. My symptoms came back and I wouldnt leave the house I felt dumbed down my self-image shattered. I heard voices telling me negative things. I gained weight and at times cried. Im on psych meds now which just turns me into a slow moving robot without energy. I go to school and I get tics-tourrette's symptoms. At this time I am without weed and I never had vocal tics before. With weed I focused on not letting my emotions take control. I did some research and weed can benefit those with tourrett's. So this is why weed should be legalized as medicine. I also did some research and it can help some people who hear voices. And from my experience it slows down the ocd...letting me focus on more serious thoughts instead of repeating ones that drive me mad. So marijuana should be legalized as a medecine for some who have psychological problems with a safe dosage and if some seem to have negative effects from weed, they shouldnt touch it. It is just not accepted in the culture therefore it is illegal and banned.... Alcohol kills more ppl than weed.... it is rediculus that it is illigal even when it can help people

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.

Cheif the Leaf

Freud, you seem pretty informed on the subject of Marijuana and Schizophrenia, as am I. I was wondering if you know of any primary resources where i could get additional information, i would be greatful. Thanks

StonedOnSativa

Hallucinigons are well known to trigger scizophrenia to predisposed people. In fact another name for hallucinogen is something that basically translated to mimic of phycosis. Marijuana is infact a minor hallucinogen and therefore its properties have the ability to change perception and cause hallucinations on a small degree and basically in my opinion extensive pro longed use combined with bad situations and pre disposition to the illness is enough to trigger an ilness or its various symptoms. If you read my fairly new post "reference to not enjoying pot anymore" you know that i have had an experience with a drug induced (weed and another) psychotic episode, i hope this is helpful.

Cheif the Leaf

Thanks man, helps me understand a lot better. If anyone else has some articles dealing marijuana and schizophrenia, if you could send them to me i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Cheif.