Marijuana-Induced Psychosis

1. Marijuana-Induced Psychosis Archana Balasubramanian Jennifer Lee Yousuf Mostafa

2. Outline • Introduction (Yousuf) • Psychosis and Consciousness (Yousuf) • Marijuana and its Effects (Jennifer) • Marijuana-Induced Psychosis (Archana) • Marijuana-Induced Psychosis and Consciousness (Archana) • Conclusion (Jennifer)

3. What is Psychosis? • Definition – severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning

4. Psychosis Continued • From the encyclopedia we see that psychosis is a psychiatric classification for a mental status in which the perception of reality is distorted. • Again confirming that it can be argued that it is an alternative state of consciousness

5. Psychosis and Disease • Psychosis can be a feature of several diseases, suggesting that a variety of nervous system stressors can lead to a state of psychosis.

6. Non-psychiatric Conditions But there are some non-psychiatric conditions that can cause psychosis • Brain Tumor • Hyperglycemia • Intoxication • Multiple Sclerosis • Sarcoidosis

7. Altered State of Consciousness Therapy • This is a program, ASCT, which helps teach patients how to consciously manipulate their affect and cognition to achieve a new state of consciousness. • Marijuana Anonymous directs its members toward an altered state of consciousness called a spiritual awakening but relapse occurs because of the failure to help members reach that altered state of consciousness without the need of drugs

8. What is Marijuana? • Common name for drug made from plant Cannabis sativa • Mind-altering ingredient THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol) • Today’s marijuana is ten times more potent than what was used in the 1970s

9. Faster heartbeat Faster pulse rate Bloodshot eyes Dry mouth and throat Sleepiness Decreased social inhibitions Impaired or reduced comprehension Paranoia Increased anxiety or panic attacks Impair short term memory, alter sense of time Reduced concentration, swift reactions, coordination Short Term Effects

10. Long Term Effects • Increased risk of cancer • Decreased testosterone levels and lower sperm count for men • Increased testosterone levels in women and risk of infertility • Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure • Psychological dependence

11. Variables • Amount taken • Potency • Type of consumption (joint, bong, food) • Size, weight, health of individual • Prior individual experience • Taken alone or in group

12. Effects on Brain • THC -> sensory information -> hippocampus • Limbic system -> crucial for learning, memory, integration of experiences • Neurons in hippocampus and nerve fibers • Long term use produces changes in brain similar to other drug abuse cases

13. Benefits • Multiple Sclerosis • Glaucoma • Nausea caused by chemotherapy • Cancer • Epilepsy • Chronic pain

14. Marijuana Induced Psychosis • Amount • Intoxication • Frequency • Past history

15. Hallucinations Delusions Depression Paranoia Anxiety Decreased social ability Lack of volition Apathy Memory loss Hallmark Symptoms

16. I. Toxic Confusion No prior history of psychosis Recovery THC levels II. Functional No confusion Prior history of psychosis Symptoms similar to schizophrenia Subtypes of Psychosis

17. Neural Correlates • THC • CB1 receptor • D1 receptor -> DA transmission • The effects of Cannabis-based medication

18. Marijuana Induced Psychosis: An ASC • Characterized by: • Mild memory impairments • Distorted sense of the passage of time • Dream like euphoria • Lose contact with reality • Lose sense of control • Depersonalization

19. Long term Effects • Mild Impairment in Consciousness • Chronic Psychosis after abstinence • A higher risk for Schizophrenia? • Amotivational Syndrome • Anhedonia • Apathy • Memory Loss • Paranoid Ideation

20. Personal Accounts “The effects of this drug made me socially paranoid for months until I finally managed to stop smoking it with the help of my girlfriend.” “ My son is one of the 10% or so that should not smoke marijuana because they become delusional. They turn paranoid and think people are after them and want to kill them, even workmates. It places unbearable pressure on families. Please note that not all are schizophrenic.”

21. Treatment of MJ Induced Psychosis • Abstinence from Marijuana Use • Neuroleptics • Antidepressants

22. Conclusion • Marijuana and Culture • War on Drugs (Type 1 Drug) • Organizations for Legalization • Controversial Medicinal Use • Youth and Drugs

23. References • Boettcher, Dr. Brian. “Cannabis Psychosis” http://www.priory.com/psych/cannabis.htm • “Cannabis law changes - have your say.” Newsbeat January 22, 2004. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbeat/040122_cannabis_feedback.shtml • “Cannabis use and psychosis explained” Better Health Channel http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/BHCLang.nsf/(LevelFour)/DE7359E9B719779E4A256B640083BBC5?Open • Clarke, Isabel. “Psychosis and Spirituality. Finding a Language.” June 2005. http://www.scispirit.com/Psychosis_spirituality/finding_a_language.htm • Edwards, Mark. “An Alternative View on States.” June 2005. http://www.integralworld.net/edwards14x.html • Fact Sheet – Marijuana www.well.com/user/woa/fspot.htm • John, Andrew. 2001. Psychiatric Effects of Cannabis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 178. p. 116-122. • “More evidence of cannabis-induced psychosis” March 31, 2005http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/bc-meo033005.php • National Institute on Drug Abuse http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html • Nationmaster Encyclopedia. May 2005. Online Encyclopedia http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Psychosis • “Re: Cannabis Induces Psychosis.” Yahoo Australia and NZ Message boards. March 25, 2005 http://au.messages.yahoo.com/news/top-stories/3106/. • Sharpe (MD), Joseph. “Marijuana Induced Psychosis.” http://psychiatry.mc.duke.edu/Residents/substance.html • Wo/Man’s Alliance for Medicinal Marijuana http://www.wamm.org/medicinalbenefits.htm