Does Marijuana Cause Schizophrenia?

The evidence linking cannabis use to psychotic disorders is considered strong enough to warrant a public health warning.

I’m winding down to the last few marijuana videos, which I originally released in a webinar and downloadable digital DVD. There are still a few coming out over the next year, but if you missed any of the published ones, here they are:

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

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[psbjr]

A good friend of mine was a heavy user, and ended up with extreme paranoid delusions including seeing and hearing things that were not there, etc. Very very scary. We ended up in the ER & then the state mental hospital, they were given anti-anxiety meds, came down to earth, and then decided to smoke a little when they got back home about 4 days later. The delusions and all symptoms immediately returned within minutes of smoking. Luckily I knew how to handle it and we got through it, then immediately threw out all the weed.



It's definitely not the "root" cause (trauma is, as for most psychological issues), but weed is definitely a powerful trigger for my friend. If you're a "sensitive" person, be very careful with the stuff, esp with the new strains that are very powerful. As with diet, try to introduce healthier sources of endorphins like exercise/movement (e.g. resistance training, dancing, yoga, etc) if at all possible. <3 <3

[abc_cba]

I lost my mom to this deadly disorder. We at home would never believe her since most of her statements would be imagination. This May, she talked about some uneasiness in her chest but as usual, we didn't believe her and she died with a cardiac arrest right before me.

I keep crying all the time thinking of that night. She had no health issues at all. I see doctor's insensitivity when they say that schizophrenic die early. That's untrue ! They die because of our neglect.

I was always there to support her in every way, until i disbelieved, I miss my mom and pray to God to help everyone who's suffering in any form. God bless you.

[elephantom]

I haven't smoked weed since August and I feel much better now. The happy, giggly, fun times of marijuana turned into anxiety, low self esteem, and sadness. It made me lose control of my emotions and I began to cry like a little biatch very easily. Nothing like a sober mind I tell ya.

[Apodeipnon]

Important info for potential users, but not enough of an argument to keep it illegal.

[jackgalmitz]

After I took some LSD trips in the late 1960s, smoking pot caused paranoia and other psychotic features. I"m sorry I ever entered the drug world of the 60s.

[theprimevegan]

When I use to smoke my anxiety went through the roof. Now I have none.😉

[phatvegan]

No one with a mental illness should just be taking any drug without any oversight. I think anyone can agree with that!

[אישלאחשוב]

There is a huge diffrent between unresponsible use (smoking, high dose of THC) and responsible use.

[AsAPBLAKE]

Bottom line if you have a family history of psychotic disorders you shouldn't use marijuana.

[nannyoggsally]

Still way less dangerous than alcohol.

[fragitude]

I was diagnosed with a mental disorder after being hospitalized twice, a year apart. Schizoeffective disorder. Both times I was smoking marijuana prior to psychosis and it may have been a contributing factor. After being released from the hospital I smoked some and immediately felt paranoid and started having delusions to the point I left a movie at theatre early thinking the story was about me in some way. So I quit smoking and symptoms subsided.

However, roughly a year after my last psychosis I went back to smoking weed and didn't experience the negative symptoms. Only when I smoked it close to my psychosis.did it seem to retrigger it. I smoked marijuana for a year with no issues and possibly the shot I get every three months helped.

Based on my experience I would avoid heavy marijuana use, like multiple times per day, month on end. Once a week probably not so bad but anything in excess could be bad for you. I have stopped smoking weed and don't see myself going back.

[jakereedy]

I never experienced any psychotic or paranoid thoughts until i started smoking marijuana. I feel like if i kept using i'd be psychotic

[phatvegan]

The issue with psychosis. I wonder if someone honestly takes a look at our society and the sickness and the factual untruths that are spread around. If that alone wouldn't cause someone eventually to slip into psychosis. And if that's the case someone who uses cannabis and thinks about the world would be more vulnerable to this. I think it's a valid question that should be looked at. Just my personal opinion.

[fiatlux]

I'm putting it to the test right now. What time in Michigan they had me wrongly diagnosed they court-ordered me to take modafinil phenobarbital haldol cymbalta docusate, and they knew I was a medical marijuana patient at the time. I have been using cannabis for about six years everyday with some anxiety every once in awhile but nothing I couldn't tolerate until they said it was safe to mix with those medications... I took two hits of cannabis and had a 3-day psychosis now I have PTSD over that. I ended up having to go to court because I refused to continue to take the medication I won my case. The nurse practitioner said if you use cannabis again you're playing with fire, so I went home and used it immediately. I've done so every single day since 2017, not once have I ever had an experience like that again. They tried to blame it on cannabis but it was Cannabis mixed with their medication that was the problem. I went to the hospital to get better not worse.

[louiex]

Well it's certainly one way to get your greens in that's for sure

[coreydesmond]

Well everything is not for everyone. Some ppl cant drink alcohol. And I find weed goes with your personality.. if your a lazy person it can make you more lazy. If your hyper it can make you concentrate better. Some ppl get paranoid off weed.. me personally I smoke before martial arts. Or a workout.. I can focus better on my movements and I can push myself a bit more. But like I said it's not for everyone. I think ppl forget that it's like everything else. Different strokes for different folks

[bennettwaisbren]

What's the difference between Pike Pence silenting communing with God and a Schizophrenic person silently communing with God? Less than you might think.

[phntomsoldier]

I have PTSD from my combat infantry experience in Iraq, yet I don't smoke anything, drink alcohol, or take pills. I'm literally a straight edge veteran trying my hardest to deal with my depression and anxiety the best way that I can. I would like for marijuana to be legalized and affordable enough to give me some relief, but I don't think that will ever happen. I just wish I could find a job with the bachelors degree that I earned and thought would be the answer to my prayers. Being unemployed and trapped in my head feels like a curse.

[blackliberation]

My friend ended up in a psych ward for 3 months after smoking Marijuana and no it wasn’t laced.

[Dollapfin]

I think I’m going crazy. I’ve been having auditory hallucinations and I keep walking to places for no apparent reason. Idk if I just forget what I’m going for or what but I’m going crazy. Maybe I should quit smoking lol.