Mental Health And Weed: Harm Reduction

Cannabis has been linked to the onset of psychosis in vulnerable individuals. Guidelines typically recommend that people with a history of mental illness, either individually or in their family, avoid cannabis. Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians and Americans experience a mental health condition each year, and approximately 1 in 33 Canadians will experience psychosis in their lifetime, with similar numbers in the States.

Is abstinence the only way to avoid getting sick from cannabis? Or might there be a middle ground where people can consume cannabis responsibly?

The relationship between cannabis and mental health is complicated and not well understood. Some experts believe that cannabis use can cause mental illness, while others believe that people who are predisposed to mental illness are more likely to be attracted to cannabis.

Almost everyone can agree that people with a personal or familial history of mental illness, especially psychosis, should take action to reduce harm if they choose to consume cannabis.

Cannabis consumption comes with a number of potential mental health risks, but there are ways to reduce these risks.

What are the mental health risks of cannabis?

Cannabis consumption can lead to psychosis, which is the experience of losing contact with reality. Symptoms can include unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not there, and paranoid or delusional beliefs.

Although THC may trigger paranoia in people without mental illness, the evidence suggests that those who develop psychotic illness in response to cannabis use were likely predisposed to it to begin with.

Some evidence suggests that people who have mental health vulnerabilities may be more likely to try cannabis. This does not necessarily mean that cannabis causes their mental illness.

Depression and heavy use of cannabis are associated, but it is unclear if the association is causal. Shared factors may increase the likelihood of both cannabis consumption and depression.

Strategies for lower risk cannabis consumption towards harm reduction

There are a number of strategies that can be employed to help reduce the risks associated with cannabis consumption. Some of these include using cannabis with a lower THC content, consuming smaller amounts of cannabis, and avoiding smoking cannabis. By following these simple tips, you can help to reduce your risk of experiencing negative side effects from cannabis use.

While most physicians would recommend that someone with a personal or family history of mental illness abstain from cannabis, there are ways to reduce harm if someone chooses to consume it anyway.

The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) has worked with Health Canada to create a set of guidelines for lower-risk cannabis use.

Cannabis use comes with a risk of psychiatric problems, and the best way to avoid those risks is to abstain from using it. If you do choose to use cannabis, the guidelines suggest using it later in life rather than during adolescence.

Dr. Romina Mizrahi is a world-renowned psychiatrist and professor at the University of Toronto. She is also the director of the Focus on Youth Psychosis Prevention program at CAMH, and her insights are invaluable in understanding the causes and effects of psychosis. Psychosis is a serious mental illness that can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. Dr. Mizrahi’s expertise is essential in preventing psychosis in young people and helping them recover fully. Her work is critical in the effort to improve the quality of life for those affected by this disorder.

I think the key issue here is brain development. We want to minimize use before the brain is developed, and ideally, until 24 or 25. But, in any case, we must wait until after the age of 21.

The guidelines recommend that people opt for cannabis with lower THC content and a higher CBD to THC ratio. This will provide the most elegant and persuasive results.

There is no doubt in Dr. Mizrahi’s mind – she wholeheartedly agrees.

We are aware that THC can lead to psychotic experiences, and it is also linked to abuse and dependence. Therefore, I recommend that people try to use products with the lowest THC content possible.

It is suggested that people who have a family history of psychosis should not consume cannabis. This is to protect them from potentially developing the condition themselves.

If you have a close relative who has experienced a psychotic disorder, it is wise to be extra cautious.

The closer you are related to someone with schizophrenia, the higher your risk of developing the condition. For example, first-degree relatives (such as siblings or children) are 6.3 times more likely to develop schizophrenia than the general population, and second-degree relatives (such as aunts, uncles, or grandparents) are 2.4 times more likely.

Dr.Kim Lam, MD, an expert on medical cannabis at Apollo Cannabis Clinics in Toronto, offers the following advice.

Lam suggests that patients with any history of mental illness use the “start low and go slow” rule. This means starting with a low dose of cannabis, and increasing it slowly to reduce the risk of side effects.

In Lam’s clinical experience, the amount of cannabinoids in cannabis can impact a person’s experience, with higher CBD content and lower THC content reducing harm in a mental health context.

We usually recommend that patients start with CBD, and only add THC if they need to. THC is psychoactive, and CBD has been shown to help reduce its side effects. This approach gives patients the best chance to experience the benefits of CBD while minimizing the risks of THC.

It is important to remember that people with mental health vulnerabilities can still make choices to reduce their risk of cannabis-related mental health issues, even if they do not abstain from using the drug.

Here are some harm reduction strategies for cannabis consumption:

The best way to avoid the mental health risks of cannabis consumption is abstinence. If you choose to consume, select cannabis with lower THC content overall, and cannabis with a higher CBD to THC ratio. Avoid illicit cannabis, which is not tested. Start low and go slow to reduce the risk of side effects. If you have a distressing mental experience while using cannabis, stop consuming it temporarily and seek help.