Can Cannabis Cause Paranoia?
In today’s culture cannabis is often associated with paranoia, specifically when referring to THC. Images are often conjured of stoners eating trays of brownies while calling the cops.
But is there any scientific evidence that backs up this way of thinking? Read on to find out.
What is Paranoia?
Before delving into the association between cannabis and paranoia, let’s get a good handle on what paranoia is.
Paranoia is defined as feelings and thoughts that are related to persecution, threat or conspiracy. Although having occasional feelings of paranoia is normal, it can also be a symptom of a mental or psychotic disorder.
When paranoia affects someone to a point where they are convinced their paranoid thoughts are a reality, this is considered a delusional disorder. A delusional disorder will impact a person’s thoughts but will not affect the way they function in everyday life although it may cause personal relationships to deteriorate.
Signs of paranoia include mistrust, suspicion, fear, anger and feelings of betrayal. Behaviors may manifest as mistrust, hypervigilance, difficulty with forgiveness, defensiveness and the inability to relax.
Paranoia and THC
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid that is most closely associated with feelings of paranoia. This may be due to its mind altering effects which can make a user think that things are not as they seem.
However, not all users report feelings of paranoia, so is there any truth in this?
Can these feelings be backed by scientific evidence?
Another good question to ask is how prone users who experience paranoia when taking THC are as likely to experience paranoia when they are not affected by the cannabinoid? And, are people who experience paranoia more likely to use THC in general?
This may be best answered by the findings of a study conducted by Psychology Today. The study was done along with the University of Oxford, The Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London and the University of Manchester. The subjects of the study were individuals who had taken cannabis before and were prone to paranoid ways of thinking but had not been diagnosed with a mental disorder.
70% of the subjects were given THC while the other 30% were given a placebo. They were then asked to answer a questionnaire to determine paranoid behavior.
Results showed that feelings of paranoia increased in those who were given THC. Those same subjects also experienced anxiety, lowered mood and negative thoughts. Feelings of paranoia wore off as the drug became reduced in the bloodstream.
Digging a bit deeper, psychologists involved in the study believe that THC’s negative effects on mood left them feeling vulnerable inviting feelings of worry. When we experience these negative feelings, we try to understand what’s happening to us and our environment can seem like a hostile place prompting paranoia.
Of course, not everyone experiences paranoia when using THC. In fact, many people turn to it as a way to treat anxiety and anxiety related disorders like PTSD. So how can THC do both?
When cannabinoids enter our system, they bind to receptors in the brain, many of which are located in the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in emotional processing. Its effects can manifest in different ways depending on the individual.
For some, it can over excite neural pathways to cause anxiety and paranoia.
Researchers are still trying to determine why THC affects different people in different ways. But it has been suggested that it is related to the way THC reacts with the endocannabinoids in our bodies.
Endocannabinoids are produced naturally in the body and THC interacts with them to produce a number of effects and benefits. It has been shown that those who have been exposed to excessive stress and trauma have a shortage of endocannabinoids. THC replenishes these endocannabinoids to relieve stress.
On the other hand, those who have a normal amount of endocannabinoids may have an excess when THC is introduced which can lead to feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
However, there are other factors that can contribute to the likelihood that you will experience paranoia when using THC. Users who are just starting out with THC and have not built up any kind of resistance will be more likely to become paranoid.
Other factors like your genetic background, gender, personality and environment can also make you more prone to anxiety in general.
Paranoia is also more likely to occur when higher doses are being consumed. Studies have shown that those who took 7.5 milligrams of THC felt a reduction of stress while those who took 12.5 mg reported negative emotions and were more likely to think of tasks as threatening or dangerous.
Age is another factor that can affect the amount of paranoia we feel. As we age, our endocannabinoid system changes. So, if you smoked pot in college and it mellowed you out, don’t be surprised to find it causes feelings of paranoia when you pick it back up later in life.
CBD and Paranoia
THC has long been recognized as a popular cannabinoid that can produce mind altering effects and can also provide benefits in the human body. In more recent times, it’s sister cannabinoid, CBD (cannabidiol) has been become widely recognized for the benefits it can provide as well.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid which has been shown to reduce anxiety. When used with THC, it can provide a balance that can reduce feelings of paranoia.
When CBD enters the body, it reacts with the endocannabinoid system to produce feelings of calmness. It works with the CB1 receptor to increase serotonin levels to increase feelings of happiness. It has shown to be effective in decreasing anxiety in several animal studies.
CBD also modulates the receptor signaling associated with THC. It modulates excess cannabinoid activity in the brain that can cause anxiety working to mitigate paranoia that can result from THC overconsumption.
The way CBD interacts with THC also has other effects on the high you experience. It enhances its pain relieving abilities but can diminish certain other effects like the munchies, sleepiness and the psychoactive effects it provides.
Other Cannabinoids and Their Effects on Paranoia
There are several cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant and CBD and THC are not the only ones being recognized for the benefits they can provide.
CBG (cannabigerol) is another cannabinoid that turns into other cannabinoids like CBD and THC.
When used in its pure form, CBG has similar effects when compared to CBD. It works to reduce anxiety and can also counter the paranoia inducing effects of THC.
CBN (cannabinol) is another cannabinoid you may be hearing about more often. It is produced when THC is heated or exposed to oxygen. It works to provide sedative effects and can be especially effective when combined with THC. These effects can work to counter feelings of paranoia and anxiety.
Reducing Feelings of Paranoia While Using THC
Although THC is known to increase feelings of paranoia in some people, it can also provide several benefits. Its ability to increase appetite in cancer patients, relieve pain and promote brain health are just a few of the reasons it can be recommended to improve overall health.
If you are using THC for the health benefits it can provide, but are looking to avoid feelings of paranoia, here are some suggestions:
· Use the Right Strain: Different strains of THC have different chemical makeups and each one will produce different results in your body. If you are experiencing paranoia with one strain, try using another which may provide more calming effects. In general, using a strain that is low in THC and high in CBD or another balancing cannabinoid should limit paranoia.
· Find a Comfortable Setting: Your location will affect feelings of paranoia and anxiety. If you are using THC, do so in a place that is relaxing and that you associate with positive feelings.
· Go Easy on the Dosage: Because THC is more likely to cause paranoia when taken at higher doses, it is best to limit your usage to lower doses. If you are taking THC for health issues and are not experiencing the desired results at lower doses, increase the dosage gradually. This will help your body to build up a tolerance which will also reduce paranoia.
· Fresh Air: If you are experiencing paranoia while under the influence of THC, fresh air can do wonders in clearing your head. Take a walk in a park or a naturally soothing area taking deep breaths as you do so.
· Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated allows us to think more clearly. Be sure to keep water close by if you are using THC. Tea can be even more effective since it is known for its soothing properties.
· Take a Bath or Shower: A bath or shower will give you a moment to collect your thoughts and it will make your body feel better while you do so.
Conclusion
THC can provide several health benefits, but it can also lead to feelings of paranoia in many people. To avoid these unpleasant feelings, keep doses low, use THC in a relaxing atmosphere and do your best to counter anxiety inducing effects with other cannabinoids. Good luck finding the balance that is right for you.
