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Quitting cannabis can potentially induce psychosis in certain individuals, especially those who have a predisposition to mental health issues like schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Here's a breakdown of how this might happen:
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Cannabis and the Brain: Cannabis contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive component that affects brain function. THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the brain, influencing mood, perception, and cognitive function. For some individuals, especially those who are vulnerable to mental health disorders, prolonged use of cannabis can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of psychosis.
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Withdrawal and Psychosis: When someone stops using cannabis after long-term or heavy use, the body goes through withdrawal, which can cause a variety of symptoms like anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and insomnia. In some cases, this withdrawal process can lead to temporary psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. This is thought to occur because the brain is adjusting to the absence of the chemical influence that THC previously provided, which can cause a kind of "rebound" effect.
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Vulnerability Factors: Individuals who are already at risk of psychosis—whether due to a family history of mental health disorders or personal genetic factors—are more likely to experience psychotic symptoms during withdrawal. This is why cannabis use can be especially risky for people who have a predisposition to conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
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Duration of Symptoms: For many people, withdrawal-induced psychosis tends to be temporary, often resolving within days or weeks as the brain adjusts. However, for those with underlying vulnerabilities, the symptoms can be more persistent or may trigger a long-term mental health issue.
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Managing Withdrawal: It’s important for individuals who are quitting cannabis and experience severe withdrawal symptoms or signs of psychosis to seek professional help. Treatment options may include therapy, medications, and support groups to help manage the psychological effects and promote recovery.
While not everyone will experience psychosis during cannabis withdrawal, it’s crucial for people to be aware of these potential risks, especially if they have a personal or family history of mental health conditions.
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Awkmid
Here's a simpler explanation:
When someone who has been using cannabis a lot suddenly quits, their brain can go through a rough patch as it adjusts. This can lead to symptoms like anxiety, confusion, and trouble sleeping. For some people, especially those who are already at risk for mental health problems (like schizophrenia), quitting cannabis can make them feel even more out of touch with reality. They might experience things like hearing or seeing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) or believing things that aren’t true (delusions).
These symptoms are usually temporary and get better after a few days or weeks as the brain adjusts to being without cannabis. But for people who are more vulnerable, quitting cannabis could trigger long-term mental health problems.
SO as someone who is diagnosed with some form of psychotic disorder and kinda had no choice but to quit, I've been feeling really out of it, almost like it's its own high, I keep disassociating and staring off at the wall. There are moments I'm extremely confused and unsure what about, earlier my walls were bothering me as if something was missing. I would just stand and lose track of time. So do with this info as you'd like,