Cannabis really can trigger paranoia

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jul/16/cannabis-paranoia-psychoactive-thc-mood

by pfortuny • 12 years ago

7 6 12 years ago

The original reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20735884

vrikis• 12 years ago

Although I've never been an active cannabis user as the study describes it, I tried the drug on several occasions in high school and at university. I've always felt paranoid whilst high, and it's always been an unpleasant experience. My mind always goes into "overdrive" and I start to think far more and feel everything around me tightening in on me. To describe the feeling to my friend, I described it as the scene in The Matrix when Neo, just after choosing the red pill, touches the mirror and the mirror starts to cover up his body and go into his mouth. It's a weird feeling to describe, but it makes me super paranoid. On top of that, I always feel like I start to see everything far more white, and become far more light headed, which in turn makes me even more paranoid...

Maybe I'm a light head, but I don't like the drug at all.

xcrunner529• 12 years ago

It's why, while curious, I don't think it'd be safe for me to ever try it (well, I "tried" it once, but had no effect, so I think I didn't inhale correctly).

I am a bit of a hypochondriac and worry enough. I am scared how I would react off of cannabis.

detritus• 12 years ago

No [insert expletive] shit?

madaxe_again• 12 years ago

From the article - "And the suspiciousness wore off as the drug left the bloodstream."

And for alcohol...

"And the aggression and stupidity wore off as the drug left the bloodstream."

Now, would I rather deal with a paranoiac who thinks I'm going to mug him, or a pissed-out-of-his mind dude, in a dark alley?

Would I rather sit there baked and go "dude, is there someone at the door?" for the millionth time, or go out and have a fist-fight while drunk?

Hm.

rrss1122• 12 years ago

Sounds like both are losing situations. You don't know how a paranoiac who thinks you're going to mug him will react. He can run away or he can try to deal with you.

At least in the second hypothetical, you are doing the responsible thing and staying at home high, in which case wouldn't you also stay at home drunk?

malandrew• 12 years ago

While I won't dispute that marijuana may magnify paranoid thoughts, I will say that it's just as likely that such an effect wouldn't not really matter if there wasn't something to be paranoid about. When I lived in North Carolina, Brazil and other places with laws proscribing harsh punishments and strict enforcement for possession, I regularly encountered people somewhat paranoid when high. Since living in San Francisco, I can't think of the last time I talked to someone who was acting/feeling paranoid while high.

Cannabis really can trigger paranoia

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