Harmful Effects of Cannabis on Mental Health - Coursework Example

Harmful effects of cannabis on mental health Customer Inserts His/her Name Customer Inserts Name of University (August 24, 2015) Contents Contents 2 Introduction 3 Chemical composition of cannabis 3 Psychological effects of cannabis 4 Cannabis addiction 5 Mood disorders 5 Anxiety 6 Psychosis 7 Toxic psychosis 8 Acute functional psychosis 8 Chronic psychosis 8 Amotivational syndrome 9 Cognitive and psychomotor impairment 9 Personality disorders 10 Conclusion 11 Reference List 12 Introduction Cannabis refers to a number of plants that belong to the genus Cannabis. The bushy coarse annual plant that has palmate leaves and small green flowers clustered together is known for its use as a narcotic drug. The plant also yields fibers. The plant’s leaves are either chewed or smoked or mixed with edibles to give their user a euphoric effect. Cannabinoids is a term used to refer to the many psycho active chemicals that form cannabis. The most common/prominent cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis has generally been known to be innocuous leading to an increase in the prevalence of its regular and/or lifetime use. Notably, cannabis use has increased in the majority of developed countries, perhaps as a result of the promotion of its use by pop culture and the aforementioned general belief that the drug is innocuous. However, evidence accumulated over a long period of time and in different countries suggests that cannabis use leads to adverse effects and dependence risks, especially with people who harbor pre-existing mental disorders (Johns, 2001). Some of the undesirable mental effects associated with cannabis consumption include cannabis dependency or withdrawal effects; psychological responses resulting from high doses of the drug, which include psychosis, anxiety and depression; and effects of consuming the drug on pre-existing psychological disorders as well as the risk of developing psychological disorders as a result of consuming the drug. This paper is an elaborate investigation of the psychological effects of consuming cannabis. Chemical composition of cannabis THC is the major substance in cannabis that is associated with psycho activity. In addition to THC, cannabis contains tens of other cannabinoids, including CBD, which is normally found in cannabis resin but it is rarely found in herbal cannabis. CBD has been associated with a number of positive attributes in the recent past including allegations that CBD reduces the addictive and psychological effects of THC (Niesink and Laar, 2013). When a person smokes cannabis, THC enters the bloodstream from the lungs. The chemical is carried by the blood to body organs such as the brain. Absorption of the chemical into the bloodstream is slower in cases where people eat or drink cannabis laden food or drinks. In that case, the chemical THC is slow and thus the user is likely to feel intoxicated after half an hour or after one hour. The brain is made up of THC-like chemicals (Johns, 2001). When THC reaches the brain, it acts on the receptors of brain cells that normally react to the THC-like chemicals of the brain occurring naturally. By acting on the brain cell receptors, THC is able to affect the normal function and development of the brain causing effects such as changes in mood, altered sense of time, impaired body movement, difficulties in solving problems and thinking, altered senses, impaired memory and so forth. Despite the fact that CBD has been associated with reduction of the adverse effects of THC, its concentrations in herbal cannabis are either low or absent (Johns, 2001). Most cannabis users are therefore unlikely to benefit from the useful effects of CBD. It is however important to note that the useful effects of CBD have not been conclusively determined using empirical evidence and thus the effects are mostly speculative (Niesink and Laar, 2013). Psychological effects of cannabis There has been controversy over whether cannabis is generally therapeutic or harmful to mental health. Most research however has provided evidence showing the harmful effects of cannabis. A number of the effects of cannabis are associable with the dose taken by an individual but research has shown that other factors come into play to determine whether a given cannabis user is likely to experience adverse psychological effects. Such factors include age, vulnerability to serious psychological illnesses and personal attributes. Cannabis addiction Observational studies have suggested that almost 10 percent of regular cannabis smokers become addicted to it (Volkow et. Al, 2014). Research conducted in both people and animals has provided evidence that cannabis is addictive, particularly when it is used for long periods. Addiction specialists have noted with concern that the concentration of THC in herbal cannabis has been increasing over time (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). For instance, street cannabis used to have a THC concentration of between 1 and 4 percent in the United States. By 2003, however, THC concentrations in herbal cannabis sold in US streets had increased to around 12% in 2012 (Volkow et. al, 2014). Similar trends in the increase of THC in herbal cannabis were also reported in Europe. Specialists have warned that the increased potency can potentially lead to accelerated dependence (Volkow et. al, 2014). Mood disorders Cannabis is associated with a number of acute mood-related responses that include feelings of relaxation, detachment and euphoria (Johns, 2001). In addition, adverse effects may occur but they are mostly short-lived. However, the adverse effects are likely to recur or persist with continued drug use. Research, though not sufficiently controlled, has suggested that cannabis has adverse effects on bipolar disorder patients (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). A number of patients with bipolar disorder use cannabis. This has been observed to increase the rapid cycling of depressive and manic moods, and induce manic episodes. However, it is notable that research has not yet established a causative link between cannabis use and the risk of getting bipolar disorder. Additionally, research has not clearly given a definitive effect of cannabis on depression patients (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). Some patients with depression have reported a mood improvement after cannabis use and animal studies have led to the conclusion that cannabis is potentially anti-depressant. However, observational studies suggest that development of depression can be promoted by cannabis use (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). Additionally, studies have also shown that cannabis use by depression patients can exacerbate depression symptoms (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). For example, research conducted in Australia suggested that if teenagers aged 14 years or 15 years smoked cannabis once weekly, their risk of developing depression after seven years doubled (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). Additionally, the study suggested that daily smoking of cannabis by young women increased the risk of developing depression after seven years five times. It is important to note that although these studies cannot be taken as proof of cause and effect, the effect of having a larger dose on the risk of developing depression is worrisome. Anxiety Many recreational cannabis users say that cannabis calms them down. Other users have however reported conflicting effects. Actually, most cannabis smokers reported side effects of the drug as panic attacks and intense anxiety (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). Studies have estimated that about a quarter of people who smoke cannabis for recreational purposes are likely to experience panic attacks and intense anxiety (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). This is especially the case with people who are starting smoking cannabis. The dose of the drug also matters. Lower doses are likely to have a sedating effect while higher doses are likely to lead to intense anxiety (Svrakic et. al, 2012). Studies are yet to conclusively determine whether cannabis can be associated with an increased risk of getting a long-term anxiety disorder. Observational studies show that many recreational users of cannabis suffer from anxiety. It is however challenging to determine whether the anxiety is as a result of cannabis use. Psychosis Use of cannabis can lead to a number of short-term symptoms that include derealisation, paranoid ideas, depersonalization, fear of dying, a feeling of losing control and irrational panic. For instance, a study conducted on cannabis users showed that use of cannabis leads to psychotic symptoms like unwarranted feelings of risk of harm by others, persecution and hearing voices. Other studies conducted on rehabilitated cannabis users showed that cannabis use cessation leads to prolonged depersonalization (Shrivastava et. al, 2014). Cases of intoxication symptoms appearing when the rehabilitated user is not intoxicated have also been reported. Despite the fact that empirical evidence has suggested a link between cannabis use and psychotic disorders, the connection is somehow complicated. Theoretically, the use of cannabis may precipitate psychosis as follows: Acute use of cannabis in large doses can induce an organic or toxic psychosis that presents with hallucinations and confusions, and that remit after abstinence. Use of the drug can cause acute functional psychosis. Use of the drug can cause chronic psychosis that persists even after abstinence. Long-term use of the drug can cause organic psychosis that only partially remits after cessation, leaving the patient with an amotivational syndrome. Toxic psychosis In a study conducted on a dozen soldiers in Vietnam, who admitted to having used cannabis for the first time, toxic psychosis symptoms were observed. The symptoms, which included confusion, dis-orientation, reduced attention span, impaired memory, hallucinations and disordered thinking, resolved in a week. In another study, in-patients showed adverse mental symptoms after taking marijuana. Common symptoms included emotional lability, hallucinations, paranoid symptoms, confusion, depersonalization and disorientation. In the study, a large proportion of the patients had taken cannabis in large doses, leading to intoxication, which lasted for a period that was characterized by subsequent amnesia. From these studies, it is apparent that cannabis use can potentially cause toxic psychosis symptoms for first time users and for users who take large doses. The symptoms, however, resolve after a week of cessation. Acute functional psychosis Research has shown that use of cannabis in high doses may cause an acute functional illness, which refers to a disorder that resembles acute schizophrenia, but lacking the confusion and amnesia associable with toxic psychosis (Burns, 2014). In a study involving 720 patients who regularly used cannabis, schizophrenic reactions were observed in 115 cases (Johns, 2001). It is however notable that only 3 of the patients had not used cannabis in combination with alcohol or other drugs. Chronic psychosis Previous research has suggested that patients who regularly use cannabis are likely to suffer psychosis in repeated episodes lasting for a short time, and maintain a chronic psychotic state effectively (Johns, 2001). It is however important to note that researchers have had difficulties in distinguishing between chronic psychosis caused by cannabis use and the co-occurrence of cannabis use symptoms with an illness like schizophrenia (Proal et. al, 2013). As a result of this difficulty, research has failed to provide solid evidence that the regular use of cannabis in high doses can cause a psychosis that persists after cessation. Amotivational syndrome Research has suggested that people who heavily use cannabis risk developing an amotivational syndrome, which refers to deterioration in personality with loss of drive to work and energy. Supporting evidence for amotivational syndrome includes uncontrolled studies conducted on long-term users of the drug in different cultures. It is however important to consider the fact that the diagnosis of amotivational syndrome could be as a result of ongoing intoxication because such studies are conducted on long-term users of the drug. Cognitive and psychomotor impairment A number of studies have been conducted on the effect of cannabis on cognitive and psychomotor functioning. Results from these studies indicate that depending on the dose of cannabis and THC taken, the drug is able to lead to psychomotor and cognitive function impairments as well as attention (selective), memory, perception, response and locomotion impairments (Shrivastava, Johnston and Tsuang, 2011). The listed effects are likely to be strongest within the first hour of smoking cannabis and between one and two hours after taking cannabis orally. There has been limited research on how CBD solely affects psychomotor and cognitive functions. However, research that has so far been carried out has shown that CBD plays a limited protective role on cognitive functions. So far, no human studies have been carried out on how THC and CBD have a combined effect on the cognitive function. However, there have been significant indications that CBD may possess neuro-protective properties. Diseases such Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, which are characterized by a decline in the cognitive function, CBD can have a role in prevention or treatment. Notably however, the adverse effects of THC on cognitive and psychomotor functions cannot be adequately counteracted by CBD. In a single dose of cannabis, CBD may be absent or negligible (Niesink and Laar, 2013). Personality disorders As a result of the heterogeneity of the cannabis-using population, it does not come as a surprise that several personality disorders and personality types result from the use of the drug. It is however a matter of empirical observation that individuals with some personality disorders like dysphoria, anxiety and social anxiety are more predisposed to using cannabis than the general population (Lee et. al, 2015). This has made research into the effects of cannabis use difficult because in as much as anxiety is a factor that predisposes individuals to cannabis use, cannabis use itself predisposes individuals who did not have anxiety to develop the disorder. The alleged use of cannabis to relieve undesirable effects was disproved in a research conducted on individuals who were dependent on the drug. It was observed that, instead of relieving symptoms in drug-dependent users, the use of cannabis led to exacerbation of the undesirable symptoms. Research has proved that drug misuse is a contributing factor to the development of selected personality disorders. For example, research conducted on the link between antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and drug abuse showed that about 80 percent of people with ASPD were involved in drug abuse (Lee et. al, 2015). The study also showed that cannabis users had a lifetime ASPD prevalence of around 15 percent. It is however important to note that the interaction between cannabis use and ASPD is complex, and thus it cannot be explained at length in this discussion. Notably, however, research has suggested that each of the two disorders, that is, ASPD and cannabis use, has the potential of increasing the undesirable effects of the other (Lee et. al, 2015). Conclusion Cannabis is a plant that is used as a narcotic drug. Cannabis is considered to be a soft drug and thus its use is relatively common. Consumers of cannabis are mainly attracted by its euphoric effect on its user. The main psychoactive chemical in cannabis is THC, and it is responsible for almost all the adverse psychological effects of the drug. One of the most worrisome psychological effects of cannabis is that the drug is addictive. Research has shown that cannabis has adverse effects when consumed regularly and in heavy doses. However, when individuals start taking cannabis, they mostly start with small doses that eventually make them addicted to it. This therefore means that they become seasoned consumers of the drug with time and eventually they become addicted. Cannabis has also been shown to have significant effects on patients suffering from bipolar disorder. It exacerbates manic and depressive moods and has the potential to occasion manic episodes. Other mood-related effects of cannabis use include feelings of relaxation, detachment and euphoria. In addition to addiction and mood-related symptoms, consumption of cannabis leads to panic attacks and intense anxiety. This is despite the feelings of relaxation that are reported by a number of users. When consumed regularly and in high doses, cannabis does not make its users relaxed but rather it makes them anxious or worse still, makes them suffer panic attacks. Additionally, consumption of cannabis leads to symptoms of psychosis including derealisation, paranoid ideas, depersonalization, fear of dying, a feeling of losing control and irrational panic. Other psychotic symptoms that cannabis users experience include unwarranted feelings of risk of harm or persecution by others and hearing voices. Consumption of cannabis can also lead to other psychological disorders including personality disorders and cognitive and psycho motive disorders. Reference List Burns, J. (2013). Pathways from cannabis to psychosis: a review of the evidence. Front Psychiatry. 4 (128). Retrieved from http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00128/full Johns, A. (2001). Psychiatric effects of cannabis. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 178 (2), pp. 116-122. Retrieved from http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/178/2/116 Lee, J., Brook, J., Finch, S & Brook, D. (2015). An Adverse Family Environment During Adolescence Predicts Marijuana Use and Antisocial Personality Disorder in Adulthood. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0246-z Medical Marijuana and the Mind. (2010). Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/medical-marijuana-and-the-mind Niesink, R & Laar, M. (2013). Does Cannabidiol Protect Against Adverse Psychological Effects of THC? Front Psychiatry. 4 (2013). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3797438/ Proal, A., Fleming, J., Galvez, J & Delisi, L. (2013). A controlled family study of cannabis users with and without psychosis. Schizophrenia Research. 152 (1), pp. 283-288. Shrivastava, A., Johnston, M & Tsuang, M. (2011). Cannabis use and cognitive dysfunction. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 53 (3), pp. 187-191. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221171/ Shrivastava, A., Johnston, M., Terpstra, K & Bureau, Y. (2014). Cannabis and Psychosis: Neurobiology. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 56 (1), 8-16. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927252/ Svrakic, D., Lustman, P., Mallya, A., Lynn, T., Finney, R & Svrakic, N. (2012). Legalization, Decriminalization & Medical Use of Cannabis: A Scientific and Public Health Perspective. Missouri Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.msma.org/docs/communications/momed/Medicinal_Use_Cannabis.pdf Volkow, N., Baler, R., Compton, W. & Weiss, S. (2014). Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use. The New England Journal of Medicine. 370 (2014), pp. 2219-2227. Retrieved from http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1402309 Read More

The brain is made up of THC-like chemicals (Johns, 2001). When THC reaches the brain, it acts on the receptors of brain cells that normally react to the THC-like chemicals of the brain occurring naturally. By acting on the brain cell receptors, THC is able to affect the normal function and development of the brain causing effects such as changes in mood, altered sense of time, impaired body movement, difficulties in solving problems and thinking, altered senses, impaired memory and so forth. Despite the fact that CBD has been associated with reduction of the adverse effects of THC, its concentrations in herbal cannabis are either low or absent (Johns, 2001).

Most cannabis users are therefore unlikely to benefit from the useful effects of CBD. It is however important to note that the useful effects of CBD have not been conclusively determined using empirical evidence and thus the effects are mostly speculative (Niesink and Laar, 2013). Psychological effects of cannabis There has been controversy over whether cannabis is generally therapeutic or harmful to mental health. Most research however has provided evidence showing the harmful effects of cannabis.

A number of the effects of cannabis are associable with the dose taken by an individual but research has shown that other factors come into play to determine whether a given cannabis user is likely to experience adverse psychological effects. Such factors include age, vulnerability to serious psychological illnesses and personal attributes. Cannabis addiction Observational studies have suggested that almost 10 percent of regular cannabis smokers become addicted to it (Volkow et. Al, 2014). Research conducted in both people and animals has provided evidence that cannabis is addictive, particularly when it is used for long periods.

Addiction specialists have noted with concern that the concentration of THC in herbal cannabis has been increasing over time (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). For instance, street cannabis used to have a THC concentration of between 1 and 4 percent in the United States. By 2003, however, THC concentrations in herbal cannabis sold in US streets had increased to around 12% in 2012 (Volkow et. al, 2014). Similar trends in the increase of THC in herbal cannabis were also reported in Europe.

Specialists have warned that the increased potency can potentially lead to accelerated dependence (Volkow et. al, 2014). Mood disorders Cannabis is associated with a number of acute mood-related responses that include feelings of relaxation, detachment and euphoria (Johns, 2001). In addition, adverse effects may occur but they are mostly short-lived. However, the adverse effects are likely to recur or persist with continued drug use. Research, though not sufficiently controlled, has suggested that cannabis has adverse effects on bipolar disorder patients (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010).

A number of patients with bipolar disorder use cannabis. This has been observed to increase the rapid cycling of depressive and manic moods, and induce manic episodes. However, it is notable that research has not yet established a causative link between cannabis use and the risk of getting bipolar disorder. Additionally, research has not clearly given a definitive effect of cannabis on depression patients (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). Some patients with depression have reported a mood improvement after cannabis use and animal studies have led to the conclusion that cannabis is potentially anti-depressant.

However, observational studies suggest that development of depression can be promoted by cannabis use (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). Additionally, studies have also shown that cannabis use by depression patients can exacerbate depression symptoms (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010). For example, research conducted in Australia suggested that if teenagers aged 14 years or 15 years smoked cannabis once weekly, their risk of developing depression after seven years doubled (“Medical Marijuana and the Mind”, 2010).

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