In recent years, cannabis has been quite controversial. It has become the center of debates to different medicinal societies and communities as for legalizing it not. Its illegalization is only caused by one reason. First, it believed to induce psychosis and paranoia. Then, it will kill and destroy your lives brought through addiction. However, is these ‘assumed facts’ all true? In this article, we’ll conduct more intensive research and learn the psychotic-effects of cannabis plants. Moreover, we’ll try to understand its basis presenting concrete and factual evidence to support it.
Cannabis and its Genetics
Cannabis plants are often referred to as any flowering plants that are part of the genus Cannabaceae. It’s important to recognize that cannabis is divided into three types of genetics; (1) the cannabis sativa, (2)cannabisindica, and (3) cannabis ruderalis.
Nevertheless, each of its species possesses different physical and chemical characteristics. Thus, when you’re thinking of cannabis, the plant refers to not only a single species. However, you’ll talk about three species with wide-ranging available strains.
The cannabis sativa, later on, called marijuana, pot, or weed is defined as a cannabis species originally found in the indigenous forests of tropical to subtropical areas in the world. It’s divided into two sub-species. Exclusively, the cannabis sativa and the cannabis sativa L.
The cannabis sativa subspecies refers to your typical marijuana or pot. It possesses psychoactive properties often use as a recreational drug. The other subspecies named cannabis sativa L. is what you call ‘hemp’. These varieties incorporate strong fibrous content for use in the textile industry. Nowadays, hemp production is rarely employed in different industries as it has a close connection to cannabis plants.
Another species called ‘cannabis indica’ is a term derived from cannabis varieties that are primitively grown in the Middle Eastern area. Unlike the cannabis sativa species, the cannabis indica doesn’t contain any psychoactive effects. Rather, these species induce relaxing and sedative effects upon use. Likewise, hemp, Indica strains are usually banned because its existence is prevalent and few medical drugs and products are sold in the market.
The cannabis ruderalis or sometimes referred to as ‘the autos’ are photo-period flowering cannabis plants. These species have a small stature and have short vegetative periods. Harvesting also takes at least one to three months for this species. That is why most indoor growers prefer to cultivate this type of plant.
Chemical Composition of Cannabis
Cannabis is a complicated plant species. There’s still a lot of it to discover with its wide-ranging available strains and varieties. Nevertheless, its diversity makes it more unique among other plant species. In fact, there are countless strains had been bred by different cannabis breeders.
However, for basics, we’ll just discuss the most important chemicals present in a typical cannabis plant. This includes the following;
#1.Terpenes
Terpenes are a set of organic compounds that induces flavor or aroma to the cannabis plants. It’s often accumulated in the buds or on the leaves of the plants. Nevertheless, there are at least 20,000 different types of terpenes.
Apart from the production of a distinct aroma, terpenes work well with cannabinoids to further do its therapeutic benefits. Moreover, terpenes can drive away pests and lure around pollinators.
Among the most prominent terpenes in cannabis plants include the myrcene, limonene, pinene, and linalool. A single cannabis strain typically doesn’t have the same amount of terpenes as it consequently varies one from the other.
VIDEO: What are terpenes? | Weed Easy
Video Source: The GrowthOp
#2.Phytocannabinoids
Other important components in a cannabis plant are the phytocannabinoids. These cannabinoids uniquely interact with the mammalian’s endocannabinoid system affecting our bodily and metabolic functions.
There are two most notable cannabinoids that heavily influences the traits of cannabis. Exclusively, the cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the most important cannabinoids present in cannabis. This component manifests psychoactive activity that prevalent sativa strains possess. Consequently, it causes paranoia and even psychosis as multiple types of research hold a claim.
Despite its negative perception, THC potentially could be therapeutic for use in different illnesses and conditions such as pain management, anxiety, increased appetite, glaucoma, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia.
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the counteracting effect of THC. Instead of psychoactive effects, the CBD manifests relaxation during use. It induces sedative effects with therapeutic benefits in the body. Its often used to treat illnesses including insomnia, diarrhea, fatigue, and weakness.
The Endocannabinoid System
To understand the science of psychosis in related to cannabis, it’s important that one must at least acquire some knowledge of the endocannabinoid system. Moreover, the endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in hormone regulation. Also, it’s an important system to maintain the body’s homeostasis.
The endocannabinoid system works differently as compared to other neuro-related systems. It undergoes retrograde signaling wherein information travels from post to presynaptic neurons.
Upon depolarization of neurons, nutrient accumulation could happen due to intense neural activity. This buildup will result in an imbalance and further causes the release endocannabinoids from membrane lipids.
Certain parts of our body contain endocannabinoid receptors. Upon the discharge of endocannabinoids, it will significantly bind to the receptors (such as CB1 and CB2) activating neurotransmitters ( e.g. g protein) to send signals into specific parts of the brain. Furthermore, it suppresses pre-synaptic signals, inhibiting or exhibiting bodily functions affecting digestion, mood, and hormonal regulation.
VIDEO: The Endocannabinoid System
Video Source: Zana Medical
Why Cannabis is ‘Psychotic’?
Psychosis is a symptom often experienced with people having a mental illness. Its usually characterized by delusions and hallucinations, one which is beyond reality. It refers to any unreal sensory experiences that entirely affects the behavior or mood of a person. Moreover, mental illnesses with psychosis as a symptom includes schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and often severe depression.
Back into the discussion, arguments on cannabis inducing psychosis are prettily valid. However, it seems a bit complicated as it is. Not all cannabis varieties promote psychosis. In fact, only cannabis sativa or marijuana has a vulnerability to intensified psychosis.
A study conducted by the King’s College of London found out that someone who smokes marijuana three times a day will likely to develop any psychotic disorders. Nevertheless, THC rich marijuana (more than 10%) increases the risk of experiencing psychosis. The researchers tested 900 psychotic patients to over 1200 people residing in Europe and South America. Moreover, the researchers estimated that one out of five mentally ill people had a smoke or use marijuana multiple times in their life.
The Link between THC and Psychosis
Normally, the endocannabinoid system maintains homeostasis in our body. However, upon the interaction of seemingly ‘endocannabinoid’ aka THC, it binds EXACTLY to the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Upon binding, neurotransmitters in the brain will send signals indirectly to inhibit or allow various functions. Consequently, one of its inhibitions includes decreasing the dopamine levels in the brain.
Dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter and a hormone regulating motivation, mood, and emotional responses. It’s usually limited through the GABA neurons which are located in a specific neurological pathway in the brain.
The interesting matter is that dopamine itself doesn’t contain any of these CB1 or CB2 receptors. Nonetheless, the GABA neurons possess these receptors that in turn, will inhibit the function of dopamine upon consumption of a THC rich material. Without limitation, dopamine levels illogically elate and increase in levels sending the user to hallucinations and delusions. Thus, an increase of THC concentration and frequent use of marijuana could cause psychosis, turning into a mental disorder as should be prevented.
Why Cannabis is ‘Anti-Psychotic’?
Surprisingly, this is also true. In particular, the CBD-rich indica strains are considerably helpful to psychotic patients and incredibly even anti-psychotic. It alleviates psychosis and reducing the episodes of hallucinations or delusions to various psychotic patients. The study centers on 33 young people who are experiencing prevalent psychotic symptoms.
The results of the research show that the brain activity of those patients experiencing early symptoms of psychosis with cannabidiol dosages have an improvement in its brain function. However, there are still uncertainties regarding the CBD treatment for psychosis.
How CBD reacts in the brain?
In all honesty, there’s still no accurate explanation as to how CBD boosts brain function. Scientific researches once thought that CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors or either one of these two.
The only thing that’s known is CBD interacts with unknown neurotransmitters also part of the endocannabinoid system. Moreover, CBD can affect the endocannabinoid system by reducing the breakdown of anandamide, the brain lipid that binds to THC cannabinoid.
Apart from that, studies have shown that CBD affects the receptor called serotonin. Serotonin regulates mood, anxiety, and cognitive processes. Also, it has been indicating to influence the opioid receptors that control pain.
The Final Word
In summary, cannabis is both a psychotic and anti-psychotic herb. It promotes psychosis through its THC, which is rich in cannabis sativa or marijuana plants. On the contrary, it’s anti-psychotic upon the action of CBD which is present at high concentration in cannabis indica strains.
Generally, cannabis psychosis is truly a complicated plant. Like in any other things in this world, it has definitely its own bad and good sides. With an excess of THC use, it would exhibit paranoia and even psychosis. However, with moderation and low intakes, marijuana is totally safe and doable.
