"British researchers say they've identified several psychological factors that can contribute to short-term paranoia in some people who use marijuana.
The paranoia is caused by the main active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to the researchers.
"The study very convincingly shows that cannabis [marijuana] can cause short-term paranoia in some people," study leader Daniel Freeman, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Oxford in England, said in a university news release.
"But more importantly it shines a light on the way our mind encourages paranoia. Paranoia is likely to occur when we are worried, think negatively about ourselves, and experience unsettling changes in our perceptions," he added.
Marijuana Side Effects Study Debated
The study included 121 volunteers, ages 21 to 50, who had used marijuana at least once before. Two-thirds of them were injected with THC and the other third received a placebo. The dose of THC was equivalent to one strong joint.
After the injections, half of those who received THC had paranoid thoughts, compared with 30 percent of those who received the placebo. The researchers concluded that THC was directly responsible for increased paranoia in one in five of those who received the drug. Paranoia declined as THC left the bloodstream.
The researchers also found that psychological factors such as worrying, low self-esteem, anxiety and experiencing a number of disturbing changes in perception caused by THC contributed to feelings of paranoia, according to the study published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.
THC also caused a number of other psychological effects, the study authors said. These included: anxiety; worry; poor mood and negative thoughts about self; poorer short-term memory; and various changes in perception, such as sounds being louder and colors brighter than normal, and altered sense of time.
"The study provides a great deal more information about the immediate effects of cannabis, but it did not investigate clinically severe disorder. The results don't necessarily have any implications for policing, the criminal justice system, or legislation," Freeman said.
"It tells us about the little-discussed paranoid-type fears that run through the minds of so many people from time to time. The implication is that reducing time spent ruminating, being more confident in ourselves, and not catastrophizing when unusual perceptual disturbances occur will in all likelihood lessen paranoia," he concluded."==========http://www.cbsnews.com/news/research-exp...-paranoid/
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I'm a paranoid type already. I have experienced accute paranoia and voices from diet pills, which apparently is something my personality is particularly disposed to. Interestingly this mindset has a whole set of beliefs and a philosophy that is created in its service. I had many delusions at this time. I remember one day picking out secret antennae in the branches of distant trees. The old "CIA is listening in on me" trope. I had this whole movie like consciousness that I had special psychic powers that the govt wanted to kidnap me for and harness for their service. I was also big on the 2012 trope. Reality was supposed to change on Dec 21st 2012 into something totally unimaginable. Not that I didn't have a history for apocalyptic fever. My SDA upbringing suited me for that shit. Last of all were the voices, which I at one time searched my whole apt for the speakers for! A truly bizarre 2-3 years of my life that I now even look back on fondly. We are only a hair's-breadth away from madness at any given time. Just a little neurochemical nudge, 3 days of no sleep, and welcome to the pleasure dome! Think I'll pass on the THC. Been there done that.
The paranoia is caused by the main active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to the researchers.
"The study very convincingly shows that cannabis [marijuana] can cause short-term paranoia in some people," study leader Daniel Freeman, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Oxford in England, said in a university news release.
"But more importantly it shines a light on the way our mind encourages paranoia. Paranoia is likely to occur when we are worried, think negatively about ourselves, and experience unsettling changes in our perceptions," he added.
Marijuana Side Effects Study Debated
The study included 121 volunteers, ages 21 to 50, who had used marijuana at least once before. Two-thirds of them were injected with THC and the other third received a placebo. The dose of THC was equivalent to one strong joint.
After the injections, half of those who received THC had paranoid thoughts, compared with 30 percent of those who received the placebo. The researchers concluded that THC was directly responsible for increased paranoia in one in five of those who received the drug. Paranoia declined as THC left the bloodstream.
The researchers also found that psychological factors such as worrying, low self-esteem, anxiety and experiencing a number of disturbing changes in perception caused by THC contributed to feelings of paranoia, according to the study published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.
THC also caused a number of other psychological effects, the study authors said. These included: anxiety; worry; poor mood and negative thoughts about self; poorer short-term memory; and various changes in perception, such as sounds being louder and colors brighter than normal, and altered sense of time.
"The study provides a great deal more information about the immediate effects of cannabis, but it did not investigate clinically severe disorder. The results don't necessarily have any implications for policing, the criminal justice system, or legislation," Freeman said.
"It tells us about the little-discussed paranoid-type fears that run through the minds of so many people from time to time. The implication is that reducing time spent ruminating, being more confident in ourselves, and not catastrophizing when unusual perceptual disturbances occur will in all likelihood lessen paranoia," he concluded."==========http://www.cbsnews.com/news/research-exp...-paranoid/
================================================================
I'm a paranoid type already. I have experienced accute paranoia and voices from diet pills, which apparently is something my personality is particularly disposed to. Interestingly this mindset has a whole set of beliefs and a philosophy that is created in its service. I had many delusions at this time. I remember one day picking out secret antennae in the branches of distant trees. The old "CIA is listening in on me" trope. I had this whole movie like consciousness that I had special psychic powers that the govt wanted to kidnap me for and harness for their service. I was also big on the 2012 trope. Reality was supposed to change on Dec 21st 2012 into something totally unimaginable. Not that I didn't have a history for apocalyptic fever. My SDA upbringing suited me for that shit. Last of all were the voices, which I at one time searched my whole apt for the speakers for! A truly bizarre 2-3 years of my life that I now even look back on fondly. We are only a hair's-breadth away from madness at any given time. Just a little neurochemical nudge, 3 days of no sleep, and welcome to the pleasure dome! Think I'll pass on the THC. Been there done that.