Marijuana and Mental Illness

[Fanya]

Hey guys,

I was chatting with my mom the other night and the only real reason she is concerned about marijuana (she doesn't know I smoke, but suspects it) is because of it's supposed ability to "uncover" mental illness. I have a lot of history of mental illnes [genetically] on my dad's side of the family, so she thinks that me smoking pot with bring out some sort of illness in me. I would like to know all of your experiences with this matter. If some of you had links to research about this as well, that would be great. I am doing what I can right now to find out more information on this subject.

Thanks

[Weedguru~N0isenkiss3s]

I took a Psychology class in highschool and the only thing I can remember about it, personally is that what's most dangerous about mental illness and drugs is the tendency to self medicate.

Ex: drugs do NOT uncover schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is something that you already have, that you're born with. It peaks at about 20-25 and if you don't tell anyone and your smoking it could worsen your condition for the length of time you're using marijuana. Your hallucinations would be a lot worse....In other cases, people stop taking their medication because they think they're cured and they're not and then they start doing drugs and again, intensified hallucinations going into Drug induced psychosises and the whatnot.

As far as I can tell, marijuana will not bring out the mental illnesses...just make sure that if you DO feel something is wrong that to have it checked out.

[Rixindix]

one time on weed i had a real bad trip, like paranoia breakdown, ive actually had a couple anxiety or paranoia attacks when im on it. it was enough to make me quit for like 4 months.

the only time im completely fine is when im sober and smoking up with only a tight circle of friends, and depending what other drugs are at a party i might smoke there aswelll.

[Dr. Greenthumb]

http://www.weedguru.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17410

This should elaborate more than anyone else here. Unless there's any doctors in the crowd

[cutthecashflow]

I took a Psychology class in highschool and the only thing I can remember about it, personally is that what's most dangerous about mental illness and drugs is the tendency to self medicate.

Ex: drugs do NOT uncover schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is something that you already have, that you're born with. It peaks at about 20-25 and if you don't tell anyone and your smoking it could worsen your condition for the length of time you're using marijuana. Your hallucinations would be a lot worse....In other cases, people stop taking their medication because they think they're cured and they're not and then they start doing drugs and again, intensified hallucinations going into Drug induced psychosises and the whatnot.

As far as I can tell, marijuana will not bring out the mental illnesses...just make sure that if you DO feel something is wrong that to have it checked out.

The Diathesese-Stress model says that if you are predisposed gentically to schizophrenia, a key trigger in the environment can bring out the schizophrenic gene. If you never are put in an extremely stressfull situation, the gene for schizophrenia will not be activated. Environment plays just as much a part of schizophrenia as do genes. (Considering the fact that you already have a recessive gene for schizophrenia.)

[Weedguru~N0isenkiss3s]

I took a Psychology class in highschool and the only thing I can remember about it, personally is that what's most dangerous about mental illness and drugs is the tendency to self medicate.

Ex: drugs do NOT uncover schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is something that you already have, that you're born with. It peaks at about 20-25 and if you don't tell anyone and your smoking it could worsen your condition for the length of time you're using marijuana. Your hallucinations would be a lot worse....In other cases, people stop taking their medication because they think they're cured and they're not and then they start doing drugs and again, intensified hallucinations going into Drug induced psychosises and the whatnot.

As far as I can tell, marijuana will not bring out the mental illnesses...just make sure that if you DO feel something is wrong that to have it checked out.

The Diathesese-Stress model says that if you are predisposed gentically to schizophrenia, a key trigger in the environment can bring out the schizophrenic gene. If you never are put in an extremely stressfull situation, the gene for schizophrenia will not be activated. Environment plays just as much a part of schizophrenia as do genes. (Considering the fact that you already have a recessive gene for schizophrenia.)

ahah well, I have only taken a high school course on this! That's actually really interesting because I don't remember going into that in class...

Does this Diathesese-Stress model translate over to other mental illnesses as well? or just schizophrenia?

Still, I doubt smoking pot is going to be stressful enough for them to cause something like that...as they said they do already smoke but clearly it's possible as Rixindix seems to have a very hard time

[Fanya]

Ok, thanks guys. I sent the article Greenthumb linked to my mum. She is mostly worried about Bi-Polar disorder I think.

[FIRE!!!]

Unless there's any doctors in the crowd

Wait a minute.....

[cutthecashflow]

I took a Psychology class in highschool and the only thing I can remember about it, personally is that what's most dangerous about mental illness and drugs is the tendency to self medicate.

Ex: drugs do NOT uncover schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is something that you already have, that you're born with. It peaks at about 20-25 and if you don't tell anyone and your smoking it could worsen your condition for the length of time you're using marijuana. Your hallucinations would be a lot worse....In other cases, people stop taking their medication because they think they're cured and they're not and then they start doing drugs and again, intensified hallucinations going into Drug induced psychosises and the whatnot.

As far as I can tell, marijuana will not bring out the mental illnesses...just make sure that if you DO feel something is wrong that to have it checked out.

The Diathesese-Stress model says that if you are predisposed gentically to schizophrenia, a key trigger in the environment can bring out the schizophrenic gene. If you never are put in an extremely stressfull situation, the gene for schizophrenia will not be activated. Environment plays just as much a part of schizophrenia as do genes. (Considering the fact that you already have a recessive gene for schizophrenia.)

ahah well, I have only taken a high school course on this! That's actually really interesting because I don't remember going into that in class...

Does this Diathesese-Stress model translate over to other mental illnesses as well? or just schizophrenia?

Still, I doubt smoking pot is going to be stressful enough for them to cause something like that...as they said they do already smoke but clearly it's possible as Rixindix seems to have a very hard time

ADHD, Depression, Some Anxiety Disorders (GAD, OCD, etc.) Depression, and a few others I cant think of off the top of my head.

It is important to note however, that the diatheses-stress model both diathesese-A predisposition towards a disease and stress-environmental or life disturbances, are nescassary in the development of disorders.

[Genius]

I happen to have ADD and Asperger's Syndrome and weed doesn't bother me (probably helps me in certain ways). But severe things such as schizophrenia or any form of psychosis could be simply worsened by weed. Substances such as LSD (acid) are particularly notorious for this feature. Some people have developed cases of psychosis due to very bad acid trips. Often traumatic experiences in a person's life can cause a person to develop some sort of mental problem. Weed could possibly enhance a trauma, or for people who have a hidden condition due to a currently inactive malicious gene, trigger it.

Simply put, anythin that alters your perception of reality in anyway possible has risks if you are prone to mental illness.

[Gorecore]

Why does it seem that everyone and their grandmother is becoming diagnosed with ADD or ADHD lately? I never heard of this ailment when I was growing up. We just called it, "Man, that kid is a spazz!"

Has ADD been around for decades or centuries or has it only been around for the last 10-15 years? Before then, I don't recall knowing a single kid or adult with an attention disorder.

Just my two cents.

[cutthecashflow]

Why does it seem that everyone and their grandmother is becoming diagnosed with ADD or ADHD lately? I never heard of this ailment when I was growing up. We just called it, "Man, that kid is a spazz!"

Has ADD been around for decades or centuries or has it only been around for the last 10-15 years? Before then, I don't recall knowing a single kid or adult with an attention disorder.

Just my two cents.

Behavioral problems in children are often diagnosed with ADD because the drug companies make a gazillion dollars off of it and because parents don't want to take responsibility for their kids actions and figure medication is the quicker, more reliable alternative.

I read somewhere that a very high percentage of kids that are on medication for ADD or ADHD really have no need for it.

[wojoman]

one time on weed i had a real bad trip, like paranoia breakdown, ive actually had a couple anxiety or paranoia attacks when im on it. it was enough to make me quit for like 4 months.

the only time im completely fine is when im sober and smoking up with only a tight circle of friends, and depending what other drugs are at a party i might smoke there aswelll.

yah man, same here. i had a bad paranoia trip and was freakin out about stupid shit.

[Genius]

Why does it seem that everyone and their grandmother is becoming diagnosed with ADD or ADHD lately? I never heard of this ailment when I was growing up. We just called it, "Man, that kid is a spazz!"

Has ADD been around for decades or centuries or has it only been around for the last 10-15 years? Before then, I don't recall knowing a single kid or adult with an attention disorder.

Just my two cents.

Behavioral problems in children are often diagnosed with ADD because the drug companies make a gazillion dollars off of it and because parents don't want to take responsibility for their kids actions and figure medication is the quicker, more reliable alternative.

I read somewhere that a very high percentage of kids that are on medication for ADD or ADHD really have no need for it.

That is actually VERY true. But in my case, I can vouch for actually havin the condition. I for example, cannot concentrate one bit in class, my mind is elsewhere all the time, anythin as simple as a pencil distracts me, and I cannot simply finish a task (example: all my pictures/drawins are unfinished, I will never complete a video game, etc). Although I have difficulty payin attention to the majority of things, there are a FEW things to which I have a very unusual and strong focus on. Must be the Aspergers.

[Fanya]

I have learned recently that I have a family history of mental illness (bipolar etc.) on both sides, and I am considering the effects that pot has/will have on me. My Mom is still concerned, but not to the point of searching me, testing me, or disrespecting my privacy. I haven't smoked in a month anyway since I'm at college, but I am still kinda worried that she will either eventually find out for sure and flip.