Cannabis
New Study Backs Up Cannabis Never Led to Psychosis
One of the going lines for those opposing cannabis, is that it increases incidences of psychosis, like schizophrenia. Now, a new study greatly contradicts this, to the point of saying nearly the opposite. Why do such contradictory results exist, and should we be worried that cannabis increases the risk of psychosis?
This article is the express opinion of the writer.
New study on cannabis and psychosis
Psychosis definition according to the National Institute of Mental Health: “Psychosis refers to a collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. During an episode of psychosis, a person’s thoughts and perceptions are disrupted and they may have difficulty recognizing what is real and what is not.” It is not more specific than this.
The study is called Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP), and was conducted on multiple sites with clinical trials. Eleven different universities took part in it. The goal was originally to show that using cannabis is dangerous for people with a higher risk of psychosis.
For the study 210 ‘clinically high risk’ patients who smoke cannabis, were followed for two years. This was not an adults only study, and the average age of participants was 16 years old. 81% were enrolled in school when the study started. 61% of subjects were white, and 42% of the test population was female. Researchers tracked medication taking, brain function, and other observed behaviors to gather data. This was on on-site study.
According to the study data, not only was cannabis not related to an increase in psychotic onset; but the data indicates it didn’t affect general brain function negatively, or produce clinical symptoms. Quite the opposite, actually. Those who used cannabis were found to have higher functioning brains, with a greater capacity through time, for sociability. According to the team, “CHR youth who continuously used cannabis had higher neurocognition and social functioning over time, and decreased medication usage, relative to non-users..”
This study goes in contrast to many others, like this one out of Denmark; which leaves us with the notion that from 1995-2010, problematic marijuana use with schizophrenia increased from 2% to 4%. This study only used medical files, however, and spoke to no participants. Much like many investigations of this nature, it means study investigators had 0% control over information collection, and all information was collected for other purposes.
The new study doesn’t simply assess previously collected information with a hope of drawing some connection to make headlines. It’s a developed study that used participants who signed releases to be in it. The Denmark study, in comparison, suffers from a lack of contact with participants, while also seeking to measure a specific condition, which isn’t technically measurable. Perhaps the Denmark study, and others of its kind, are some of the better examples of how research and headlines are used to sway our opinions, even when based on nothing.
Why this is silly
We don’t question whether alcohol causes health damage, or whether opioids do. We’re all pretty okay with the line that they do, because we see it in real life. Especially with alcohol, which much like cannabis, has been used throughout recorded history, in some capacity. We know it causes severe issues from all this time, yet this same information can’t be said distinctively for cannabis. It’s questioned, and argued over, yet after all these years, there’s no obvious answer. Or, at least, there’s no obvious answer that it causes damage.
Natural medicine traditions have reported on the properties of different plants for thousands of years. And to be clear, they often speak of cannabis having somewhat psychotic effects. But its never spoken about as a lasting condition; and we’re all aware that when on a drug, we are supposed to experience something. Yet, somehow, despite it being the most widely used drug outside of alcohol, and with thousands of years of accumulated experience showing no lasting damage…
Can you see where I’m going with this? We’ve had thousands of years with weed collectively, and somehow no one was categorically worried about lasting damage in other cultures. Yet today, all of a sudden, it causes psychosis? Forget that the government regulates synthetic opioids that take out close to 100,000 people yearly in the US alone. It’s obviously the psychosis of cannabis – which no one ever sees beyond someone currently high – as the thing to worry about.
If weed were really a problem in this way, it would be reflected in all those ancient texts as possibly causing some form of long-term craziness. It would be seen regularly in society, considering how prevalent weed use is. Now think to yourself if you know even one person who went crazy because of smoking weed.
Beyond these points of logic, there’s the idea that the research world is an incredibly competitive place, wherein some must continue to publish findings to keep their positions. That’s a lot of pressure. Maybe enough to encourage some to put out sub-par efforts just to keep up. To give an idea of just how silly the world of research is getting, check out this article recently published in the Guardian, which attacks the topic of research retractions.
In 2022, for example, a massive 5,500 retractions had to be made for published scientific research. There is so much research published yearly, that this accounted for only one in 1,000. However, back in the year 2000, there were only 40 retractions, for comparison. Its best to remember that these are the ones that got challenged in some way; plenty of research that desperately needs to get retracted, doesn’t get enough exposure or heat for that to happen. Meaning those results stand. Some estimate that at least 100,000 studies should get retracted yearly, or more.
The issue with measuring psychosis
Psychotic issues like schizophrenia, are psychotic issues because a doctor defines them that way. There is no medical definition for any of these conditions, regardless of how many the DSM talks about, or how much you don’t like that sentence. This is not opinion. Not a single one has a definable and testable ability, and this is understood in the medical world, even if its flubbed a bit for consumers. So if the right person says you have one of these disorders, then voila, you do. If they don’t, then its just your friends speculating you’re crazy, according to today’s psychiatric process.
We’ve all seen some crazy people in life. There are definitely people with a screw loose, for whatever reason its like that. Maybe they were born with issues, maybe they got hit in the head, or were highly abused, or exposed to chemicals. Regardless of why a person ends up as the ‘crazy person,’ we know there is some line somewhere, and that past a point, we can see it. It’s not about one specific behavior either, but often a pattern of behaviors, which is indeed what the therapists look for.
When it comes to diagnosis, different doctors often give different ones for the same person. It happens all the time; and the only thing the doctors have in common is some kind of degree. Now consider how often doctors disagree and argue over different topics. The whole reason we develop tests when possible, is to give a clarified answer; so the right treatment measure is taken, and opinion is taken out.
If you have a broken arm, it comes up in an X-ray. If you have diabetes, it shows in your insulin levels. If you have a tumor, that can be biopsied to understand the cancer better. A virus can be detected, as can bacterial and fungal infections, as well as a host of other medical issues. These are all done through medical diagnoses, which define something that can be measured. No psychiatric issue comes with this kind of test, which means 100% of diagnoses are personal opinion. This is not debatable. Those personal opinions might (or might not) be based in education, but they are still personal.
Beyond what this means to shoving psych meds down people’s throats, it comes with another negative implication. If we can’t really measure these things in a definable way, how can any aggregated research mean anything? Since there is no definable test, and the doctor is such an important figure in each diagnosis; we’d have to know each doctor, to understand what they were responding to in each case. Any aggregated research is just a piling up of opinions, for which we have no idea what spawned them in the doctor’s mind.
Conclusion
While I hope this recent study works to get some reality back into a horribly demented research world; I have doubts. I expect as different forces fight to keep things illegal, we’ll hear much more in the future about this cannabis psychosis that no one actually sees.
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Related
Food asphyxiation is in the news today – and is WAY more dangerous than marijuana.
Food asphyxiation is in the news again. In the US alone, approximately 5,000 – 5,500 people die from choking on food or other objects annually. Factors like living alone, having dentures, difficulty swallowing, and certain foods (like bananas, marshmallows, or gelatinous candies) can increase the risk of choking. These numbers highlight the persistent danger of food asphyxiation and the need for increased awareness and prevention measures. And yet, it is really mention in the media or Congressional reviews. But food asphyxiation is way more dangerous than cannabis.
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Food asphyxiation, commonly known as choking, claims a significant number of lives each year. The elderly population is most at risk, with 90% of food-related choking deaths in 2022 occurring in individuals over 50 years old. This statistic underscores the importance of proper care and attention for older adults during meal times. These numbers highlight the persistent danger of food asphyxiation and the need for increased awareness and prevention measures.
In contrast, deaths directly attributed to marijuana overdose are extremely rare and there is no documented case of fatal overdose from natural marijuana alone. This stark difference in mortality rates between food asphyxiation and marijuana use is noteworthy.
The disparity between food asphyxiation and marijuana overdose deaths is striking. While hundreds die each year from choking on food, marijuana overdose fatalities are virtually non-existent when considering natural marijuana use.
These findings suggest public health efforts might be disproportionately focused on substances with lower mortality rates while overlooking more common dangers like food asphyxiation. Increased education on proper eating habits, especially for at-risk populations like the elderly, could potentially save more lives than efforts to prevent marijuana overdoses.
To prevent choking, listen to your mom’s advice – eat slowly and throughly, cut food into bite size pieces, and don’t talk with your mouth full. And be mindful of food which may have small pieces or tiny bones.
Despite the massive investment by some in the industry, outdoor grows are the healthier, cleaner option
Like fruits and vegetables, outdoor floors yield the richest flavor and the least expensive products. The same can be said about cannabis, outdoor marijuana grows are better all the way around. When the industry started becoming legal, hundreds of millions were invested in indoor grow with the assumption cost per pound would stay high. Companies like Tilray built massive indoor grows, but over time they have caused expensive upkeep, high consumer prices, and upset neighbors. And do they produce the best cannabis? By leveraging natural resources like sunlight and soil, this method reduces environmental impact, enhances product quality, and fosters community harmony.
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Outdoor cannabis cultivation drastically lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to indoor growing. Research shows outdoor farming can emit up to 50 times less carbon dioxide than indoor production, which relies heavily on artificial lighting, air conditioning, and dehumidifiers. Additionally, outdoor grows eliminate the need for energy-intensive equipment, reducing electricity consumption and promoting sustainability. Water conservation is another key advantage; outdoor farms often use natural rainwater or precision watering techniques, minimizing waste. Furthermore, the absence of chemical fertilizers in many outdoor setups helps protect local ecosystems from pollution.
Outdoor growing is more cost-effective for both producers and consumers. It eliminates expenses associated with indoor cultivation—such as high electricity bills and specialized equipment—making cannabis more affordable. For home growers, cultivating outdoors fosters a connection with nature while empowering individuals to produce their own medicine sustainably.
Sun-grown cannabis benefits from exposure to full-spectrum natural light, enhancing its terpene profiles and cannabinoid production. This results in richer flavors, aromas, and potency that indoor setups struggle to replicate. Outdoor cultivation also allows plants to grow larger and healthier due to unrestricted space and access to diverse soil nutrients. This translates to higher yields and better-quality products for consumers. Additionally, outdoor-grown cannabis often develops unique characteristics influenced by the local terroir, offering a diverse range of experiences akin to wine production.
Outdoor marijuana farms are less disruptive to neighborhoods compared to indoor facilities. Indoor grows often require extensive infrastructure upgrades, leading to increased energy demand and noise pollution from machinery. There has been an uprising by some local governments about the grows.
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In contrast, outdoor farms blend harmoniously with their surroundings, relying on natural processes rather than artificial systems. Moreover, outdoor cultivation supports local biodiversity by integrating companion plants that deter pests naturally and enrich the soil.
While outdoor cultivation is environmentally friendly, it poses challenges such as susceptibility to pests and weather fluctuations. However, solutions like greenhouses can provide controlled environments while retaining the benefits of natural sunlight. Choosing resilient strains adapted to local climates further ensures successful harvests.
The administration has spent very mixed signals…will consumers turn to hemp if marijuana is outlawed again?
He is one of the most globally well known figures and now he has health issue. The Pope resides in Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, and given its unique status , there is no healthcare system, medical centers, or hospitals. All patients must access clinics and hospitals in Rome for care. One of the most ancient cities in the world, Rome has a robust healthcare system. It includes the renowned Policlinico Universitario Gemelli, which is considered one of the largest private university hospitals in Europe and the best in Italy. But it isn’t global known like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, or Toronto General. Thinking outside the box, could medical marijuana help Pope Francis?
As the Pope continues his recovery from pneumonia and mild kidney issues, medical experts are exploring innovative treatments that could potentially aid in his healing process. One such treatment gaining attention is medical marijuana, which has shown promise in addressing various health conditions.
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Medical marijuana might offer relief for Pope Francis’s respiratory challenges. Certain cannabinoids, particularly CBD, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce lung inflammation associated with pneumonia. While smoking cannabis is not recommended for respiratory conditions, alternative delivery methods such as vaporization or edibles could potentially provide therapeutic benefits without irritating the lungs
As the Pope recovers, pain management is likely a key concern. Medical marijuana has shown potential as a pain adjuvant, potentially reducing the need for opioids in patients with chronic conditions. This could be particularly beneficial for elderly patients like Pope Francis, who may be more susceptible to the side effects of traditional pain medications.
Recent studies have explored the relationship between cannabis and kidney function. While more research is needed, some evidence suggests that cannabis does not negatively affect kidney function in healthy individuals. For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), careful monitoring and dosage adjustment may be necessary to ensure safe use.
Medical marijuana has been associated with improvements in various symptoms that could enhance the Pope’s quality of life during recovery. These include better sleep, reduced anxiety, and increased appetite. Such benefits could contribute to a more comfortable and efficient healing process.
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While the potential benefits of medical marijuana are intriguing, it’s important to approach any treatment the same caution as any elderly patient. A personalized treatment plan, developed in consultation with medical professionals, would be essential to ensure safety and efficacy. As the world watches the Pope’s recovery, the consideration of medical marijuana as a complementary treatment option offers a ray of hope. While more research is needed to fully understand its effects on specific conditions, the potential benefits for pain management, inflammation reduction, and overall well-being make it an intriguing possibility.
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