Weed Psychosis Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Solutions

As a cannabis consumer, you may be familiar with the concept of psychosis and its associations with cannabis use. Weed psychosis, AKA cannabis-induced psychosis, is a mental disorder in which a regular consumer of cannabis displays psychotic symptoms similar to those shown by sufferers of mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

Though psychotic disorders caused by weed consumption are rare, cannabis-induced psychosis poses serious health risks. It is important to be able to recognize psychotic symptoms and to know what to do if you suspect that you or someone else is suffering from a weed-induced mental disorder.

Risk Factors for Cannabis-Induced Psychosis

Research into the link between cannabis and psychosis suggests several factors that can make certain individuals more likely to suffer from CIP symptoms:

Age

A 2011 review of 83 studies conducted by Large et al reported a link between cannabis use and the earlier onset of psychosis symptoms. The authors noted that regular cannabis use from a young age may trigger the development of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia.

However, this conclusion has been the subject of debate. Some scientists have called the conclusions into question, citing socio-economic status as one of many factors that can affect the earlier onset of marijuana-induced psychosis.

Frequency of Consumption

Some studies have examined the issue of whether the frequency of marijuana consumption can affect the onset of psychosis. Di Forti et al (2009) observed that cannabis consumers with a first episode of psychosis had smoked higher-potency cannabis, for longer and with greater frequency, than a healthy control group. 

Strain Potency

The 2009 study mentioned above also identified high-potency marijuana as a risk factor for CIP. Participants in the study generally reported a preference for cannabis strains with a high THC percentage, generally upwards of 18%, as opposed to those in the control group who tended to consume strains with around 3.4% THC. The authors of the study believe there is a link between Delta-9 THC—the psychoactive element in cannabis—and a higher risk of psychosis.

Genetic Predisposition

A 2012 study compared 489 people who were hospitalized with a first episode of psychosis with a control group of 278 healthy adults. According to the results, participants with the C/C genotype of the AKT1 gene were seven times more likely to develop psychosis when they consumed cannabis daily than people without this genetic variant.

In addition, Wainberg et al (2021) reported that although cannabis users generally have higher rates of psychotic episodes than non-users, the difference was greatest among people with a high genetic predisposition to schizophrenia.

To mitigate the risk, cannabis consumers with a known family history of schizophrenia or another mental illness should be extra vigilant when looking for signs of psychotic illness, and consume cannabis products in moderation.

Weed Psychosis Signs to Look Out For

Knowing the first signs of a psychotic disorder caused by heavy cannabis consumption can help you or someone you know to seek help before the symptoms worsen. The following are a few of the most typical symptoms of psychosis:

Visions

Visions or hallucinations can be strange and sometimes scary experiences in which an individual senses things that aren't real. This can include hearing voices or other sounds, seeing things that aren't there, or experiencing other sensations that don't answer to reality.

Detachment from Reality

Cannabis consumption can sometimes lead to a feeling of being detached from reality. This can manifest itself as a feeling of being detached from your own physical body or thinking that the things you see and feel aren't real.

Delusions

Someone who experiences delusions is convinced of something that isn't true, even when presented with clear evidence that they are wrong.

Muddled Thoughts

Psychosis can make people very difficult to understand because their thoughts don't follow a logical sequence. This symptom can also involve disturbing thoughts that may scare the person who is suffering from psychosis.

Other Symptoms That May Point to CIP

Other symptoms of CIP may include (but aren't limited to) confusion, memory loss, unusual excitement, uncooperativeness, and behaving in uncharacteristic ways.

How to Treat Weed Psychosis

If you suspect that you or somebody else has experienced a cannabis-induced psychotic episode, contact a mental health professional for advice on how to relieve the symptoms of psychosis and avoid future episodes. 

Possible courses of action to treat cannabis-related disorders include:

• Abstinence: Giving up the substance that has caused the psychotic symptoms may be the only way to avoid recurrence.

• Medical Intervention: Antipsychotic drugs such as olanzapine and haloperidol can be prescribed by doctors to reduce symptoms of psychosis in CIP patients.

• Psychiatric treatment: Patients with access to an office-based psychiatrist and antipsychotic medication are sometimes more confident and willing to reduce their cannabis consumption.

Other prescription drugs or courses of treatment may be recommended, depending on the patient's age, the severity of symptoms, and the amount of weed that the patient regularly consumes.

Responsible Marijuana Use Can Reduce the Risk of Psychosis

For the vast majority of cannabis consumers, marijuana can be enjoyed with few to no risks. However, consumers who abuse marijuana, or who have a genetic predisposition to psychosis should exercise caution. For example, you could stick to CBD-only products or use topicals rather than smoking cannabis.

Large cities in legal states—like Seattle, WA—have good quality dispensaries where you can purchase weed and ask for assistance with finding strains with a lower THC content. Medical professionals who are experienced with cannabis can also help you choose the most appropriate products, assist you with reducing your consumption, and support you in taking a T-break (if needed) to lower your tolerance and reduce your consumption to a level that’s safe to continue long-term.