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Around five years ago when trying to adjust medications for a chronic condition I dropped CBD from the cannabis I was using and was using a strong dose of THC o
by kromem 3y ago
Around five years ago when trying to adjust medications for a chronic condition I dropped CBD from the cannabis I was using and was using a strong dose of THC only for a few weeks every night.
Which threw me into a schizo affective episode.
It was really crazy, in all senses of the word.
Coming out of it, I learned a number of things (including the research around the surprising effectiveness of CBD at not only mitigating the psychosis that can occur with THC consumption, but even with schizophrenia itself).
One of the lessons that most stuck with me was just how terrible it was to feel disconnected from reality and to not be able to trust my own brain, something I'd relied on for decades.
I've been very physically ill at points in life, but those few weeks until my brain chemistry normalized again were probably my lowest point ever. I was left with a newfound respect and sympathy for people who must go through life with that always and not just as a temporary burden.
And even in that short period, as the author describes there was quickly a balancing act to the psychosis. I pictured it as a series of multi-axis sliders where as my brain would wander more towards delusions of grandeur so too came delusions of paranoia (if you're important, then you are important enough to persecute - if you aren't important, then paranoia is more easily dismissed). There's a zen quality to managing a brain that varies and wanders far outside the boundaries of the norm. Though it can only be controlled or reasoned with to a moderate degree and ends up largely a practice of staying on the board riding the wave than dictating the ebb and flow of the sea.
I was very grateful when it subsided and I was able to identify the culprit, and my heart goes out to the people who don't have an off switch to toggle. 0/5 stars - would not recommend.
- Loic 3y agoI am happy for you that you were able to go out of the THC induced schizophrenia. Many people do not.
- kromem 3y agoWell, there's a spectrum of different things. One is THC inducing actual schizophrenia. Less than that is a schizo affective episode. And less than that is something I've been increasingly suspecting is taking place as dispensaries move to THC only strains and breed out the CBD of just broadly disassociative thinking. I've noticed an increase in some wild conspiratorial thinking among people I know that regularly use THC sans CBD which isn't a full blown psychotic episode, but is distinctly unsettling. So yes, I agree that I was fortunate. But like with most things, it's a nuanced gradient and not an absolute dichotomy.
- temp0826 3y agoI was thinking recently about the (seeming?) increase in anti-science/anti-expert/conspiratorial thinking and movements of recent years (covid, anti-vax, 5g, qanon etc etc etc) and the (increase in?) use and more widespread legalization/decrim efforts of cannabis. I wonder if any studies have been done or what that might look like.
- mensetmanusman 3y agoan interesting related question is that if a study did show that this was a form of mental disability, should such people be allowed to vote on psychotic worldviews? or is it too dangerous just as driving while blind is dangerous?
- 0xdeadbeefbabe 3y agoDoesn't sleep also count as a psychotic episode or does it only resemble it because you lose reality for a while?
- nabla9 3y ago"THC induced schizophrenia" you can't get out is just schizophrenia. People who have the predisposition for schizophrenia often get their first psychotic episode from things like drugs, stressful event, exams, changing jobs, temporary lack of sleep, pregnancy and the time around delivery are strong triggers. THC induced pycosis also happens.
- Loic 3y agoYou are right, my comment was not explaining enough and you extended it nicely with your own comment, especially the second sentence.