Healthcare
No Link Between High Potency Cannabis and Mental Illness Says New Medical Study
The Reefer Madness headlines about high potency THC pot and mental illness are not backed up by science
No link between high potency pot and mental illness according to new study
For decades, you’ve been told that cannabis will make you crazy. You’ve been told that if you smoke it – “just one marijuana cigarette”, you’ll become a lazy communist with intentions to jizz through life through a hazy expression of nothingness.
Or you might think you can fly and jump out of a window. Oh wait, wasn’t that LSD?
Irrespective of the drug, if it wasn’t made by our pal Big Pharma, it was demonized – and this continued into modern day. Reefer Madness is still alive and one of the more recent myths that has been pushed exhaustively by the mainstream propaganda machine is that “the more potent the pot, the more dangerous!”
Young people WATCH OUT! This shit is so fire, it’s going to melt your brain…unlike the old stuff that also melted your brain but not as melty as this new stuff.
Boogiddy-boogiddy-boogiddy!
They claim that “Science” definitely knows that cannabis does this and that you don’t need to replicate their studies at all, because the science is settled.
Except, usually when it comes to “settled science”, a little bit of poking would reveal that it isn’t as “settled” as once thought, and that in fact the science could be wrong.
Which is the case we’re seeing with the “high potent pot is more dangerous argument”.
Recent Study Reveals…
A recently published study set out to explore whether there was a direct association between high potency cannabis (characterized by a high concentration of THC, the primary psychoactive compound) and an increased risk of anxiety, depression, psychosis-like symptoms, and cannabis dependence. The study was cross-sectional, involving 410 participants who provided cannabis samples for THC concentration analysis and self-reported their cannabis potency preference.
To simplify the jargon, the research aimed to verify whether people who used stronger cannabis were more likely to experience mental health issues or become dependent on the substance. The results, however, contradict the commonly held belief about the dangers of high potency cannabis.
The findings suggested a slight increase in the risk of cannabis dependence for users who preferred high potency types, but this link became insignificant once the frequency of cannabis use was taken into account. Intriguingly, there was no association found between the THC concentration in cannabis and cannabis dependence.
In terms of mental health outcomes, the study found weak evidence of a small association between cannabis potency and depression and anxiety. But crucially, there was no association between preference for high potency cannabis or the THC concentration in cannabis and psychosis-like symptoms.
In simpler terms, the study showed that users who prefer stronger cannabis might be slightly more likely to develop problematic cannabis use. However, the risk didn’t seem to be significantly influenced by the actual THC concentration in the cannabis. Moreover, the study found little evidence to suggest that stronger cannabis leads to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, or psychosis-like symptoms.
This isn’t to say that there is no evidence. It simply means that there is no causality involved. More importantly, it means that there is no definitive answer and anyone who tells you otherwise are choosing to ignore studies like this.
But let’s explore from a user’s perspective on why there would be little to no increase in mental health related issues or psychosis-like symptoms.
Experienced Users know how to self-regulate
From a user’s perspective, it makes perfect sense why high potency cannabis doesn’t necessarily lead to “more problems.” As an experienced cannabis consumer, I’ve learned to understand my personal threshold and know when I’m “adequately high.” When trying a new extract that packs a punch, the first hit might catch me off guard, but I quickly adapt and approach subsequent hits with more caution and less frequency.
Experienced users, like myself, know that a tiny hit of potent cannabis can provide just the right kind of high. We’ve learned when to consume and when to hold back, ensuring we achieve the desired effects without overindulgence. Having both wax and flower at my disposal has also been instrumental in consuming less overall. Sometimes, a single hit from potent stuff is enough to last me the entire day, while other times, I may nurse a joint throughout my day, depending on my objectives.
This level of understanding and self-regulation is common among experienced consumers. We know how to enjoy the benefits of high potency cannabis without getting overwhelmed. We’ve honed our ability to use it responsibly, optimizing our experience while conserving our supply. It’s all about finding the right balance for each individual, and that comes with experience and knowledge of the products we consume.
As such, the concerns about high potency cannabis causing more mental health issues seem exaggerated from a user’s standpoint. With awareness of our personal limits and the ability to adjust our consumption accordingly, many experienced users find that high potency cannabis can actually enhance the cannabis experience, offering greater efficiency and economy without compromising our well-being. It’s all about finding what works best for us as individuals and using cannabis mindfully and responsibly.
Everything has risk, education is what makes an activity safer
This principle holds true for various aspects of life, including cannabis consumption. While cannabis, like many substances, can have potential dangers if used irresponsibly, I am a strong advocate for proper education and informed decision-making to significantly mitigate these risks. As consenting adults, we are sovereign individuals and owners of our bodies, and I firmly stand for our right to make choices about our well-being, armed with the necessary knowledge.
When it comes to cannabis, responsible use revolves around understanding its effects, dosing, and individual tolerance levels. Education empowers us to make informed decisions about how much or little to consume based on our preferences and health needs.
Just as we trust people to consume alcohol responsibly, I believe a similar protocol should apply to other drugs, including cannabis. With responsible approaches, many individuals, including myself, can enjoy cannabis without facing adverse effects.
Interestingly, data has shown that the combined impact of illegal drugs contributes to fewer deaths and less violence than alcohol, which is legally and widely available. This fact underscores the importance of implementing responsible drug policies and education that focus on harm reduction rather than punitive measures.
Be Mindful in your Consumption
We must always understand that whenever we are consuming psychoactive substances – it should be done mindfully. In fact, most people’s problems stem from “mindlessly engaging” in an activity. This is addiction. When the user is subjected to an automated process that maintains them on an endless loop. Each cycle degrading the individual’s will a bit more.
I know that some people have problems with weed. Most people don’t, however some do. And this is why I’m an advocate for mindful consumption.
Know thyself, this is key to experimenting with any substance. Listen to your body, and learn to self-regulate.
If you do this, you can consume virtually any substance and never get hooked. Or at the very minimal, know which ones don’t work “well” with you and which ones do.