Category: Mental Illness and Psychosis

By Laura Stack

There’s a saying, famously quoted in a Nirvana song, “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.” That might be the case for some politicians, celebrities, and spies, but for most of us, it represents delusional thinking.… Read the rest

Is the following statement FACT or CRAP?

15. Marijuana isn’t harmful for your health.

Answer: CRAP

Marijuana smoke can cause symptoms of chronic bronchitis, a heavy cough, and lung irritation. What are marijuana’s effects on lung health https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuanas-effects-lung-health

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I doubt there’s anyone among us who hasn’t heard a tobacco smoker hacking away like they’re about to cough up a lung.… Read the rest

Is the following statement FACT or CRAP?

14. You might worry people are out to get you when you use marijuana.

Answer: FACT

Using marijuana can make you paranoid and think others intend to harm you. How cannabis causes paranoia https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/41/2/391/2526091… Read the rest

Is the following statement FACT or CRAP?

12. You’ll feel more motivated if you use marijuana for a long time.

Answer: CRAP

Long-term marijuana users have lower levels of dopamine and are less ambitious and motivated. http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_1-7-2013-11-49-21

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Many people say they like using marijuana because it makes them feel “mellow.”… Read the rest

Is the following statement FACT or CRAP?

11. Your fertility rates can drop if you use marijuana.

Answer: FACT

Marijuana can reduce fertility due to decreased sperm counts and delayed ovulation. Association Between Use of Marijuana and Male Reproductive Hormones and Semen Quality https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26283092/… Read the rest

Is the following statement FACT or CRAP?

10. Marijuana can’t cause mental illness.

Answer: CRAP

Marijuana use can increase your risk of psychosis and schizophrenia 2- to 4-fold. Meta-analysis of the Association Between the Level of Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychosis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988731/… Read the rest

By Laura Stack

One of the dirtiest of modern marijuana’s Dirty Dozen outcomes of adolescent marijuana use is the fact that it can cause some users to experience psychotic episodes, and worse, permanent cases of schizophrenia in otherwise stable individuals. I’m not talking about upset feelings or mild paranoia.… Read the rest

Guest post by Erik Messamore, MD, Johnny’s Ambassadors Scientific Advisory Board member

This article was originally published on Dr. Messamore’s blog.

PSYCHOSIS IS ONE OF THE OLDEST AND BEST-DOCUMENTED RISKS OF CANNABIS USE. 

Associations between cannabis use and psychosis appeared in the medical literature soon after cannabis was introduced into Western medical practice in the 1850s.… Read the rest