The
often outrageous and always outspoken Molly Ivins wrote, "Being
slightly paranoid is like being slightly pregnant – it tends to get
worse." With less good humor, when Green Day meant something, they
recorded Basket Case with lyrics:
Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Am I just stoned?
Paranoia,
however, is not a desirable state of mind or serious subject of humor.
And, cannabis consumption can lead to paranoiac experiences.
Nature of paranoia
Paranoia
is not a disease; it is a symptom of a mental disorder. The symptom
takes the form of intense anxiety and fear of persecution – emphasis on
intense.
Some
people have such vivid delusions that the sufferers cannot
differentiate between what is real and what they think is real. If only
the thinking is impacted, the Delusional Disorder can be managed well
enough not to affect daily life.
Paranoia is a delusional disorder with at risk behaviors. Mental Health America lists:
“mistrust, hypervigilance, difficulty with forgiveness, defensive
attitude in response to imagined criticism, preoccupation with hidden
motives, fear of being deceived or taken advantage of, inability to
relax, or are argumentative.”
Paranoid
Personality Disorder makes victims difficult to get along with. Their
excessive suspiciousness and hostility may be expressed in a guarded,
secretive, or devious manner. Steve Bessert, Ph. D. says,
“Although they may appear to be objective, rational, and unemotional,
they more often display a labile range of affect, with hostile,
stubborn, and sarcastic expressions predominating. Their combative and
suspicious nature may elicit a hostile response in others, which then
serves to confirm their original expectations.”
Obsessed with the idea that people don’t like them, they drive people to not like them.
Treatment of Paranoid Personality Disorder
Treatment
usually combines prescription medication and cognitive behavioral
therapy. In a slow process, victims are effectively re-programmed to
build trust and relationships.
The
problem with anti-anxiety and anti-depressants is that patients fear
them and those who prescribe them. They just manifest the conspiracy
underway. However, cases of severe agitation and psychotic behaviors may
warrant short-term treatment with drugs like diazepam, thioridazine,
and haloperidol when behavior is self-harming.
What is the role of cannabis?
For those who think of the mellow attached to cannabis consumption may be surprised at a connection with paranoia. But, there is evidence that some cannabis leads to incidents of paranoia.
The Guardian,
for example, reports on studies that indicate “The belief that people
are trying to cause you serious injury or harm is five times as common
among cannabis users.”
You have to understand that this does not apply to all cannabis users, but the University of Oxfordreports
of many users, "Paranoia is likely to occur when we are worried, think
negatively about ourselves, and experience unsettling changes in our
perceptions."
Testing groups injected with THC against those treated with a placebo, the research concluded, “1
in 5 participants had an increase in paranoia directly attributable to
the THC” even though the paranoia declined as the THC left the blood
stream.
The
cannabis experience, of course, enhanced sounds and colors, altered the
sense of time, and affected short-term memory. Of more concern were
psychological effects like anxiety, worry, and reduced mood and
self-esteem.
Time reports
on additional research at Canada’s University of Western Ontario, that
concludes, “marijuana is actually enhancing a type of learning about
fear, leading the brain to jump to conclusions about mild experiences
involving particular places or things, and to perceive them as scarier
and more strongly connected than they are.”
And,
cannabis users have historically and repeatedly reported on
experiencing paranoiac events when using the drug - especially those who
have been chronic users since their pre-teen years.
What’s a user to do?
Moderation
is best when smoking marijuana. To avoid or reduce the risk of
paranoia, users must smoke less, avoid smoking on an empty stomach, and
stop smoking while drinking.
But, since high THC content has been directly connected with the disorder, users should select strains with that in mind.
Avoid the following:
- Sativa and Sativa-dominant hybrids with high THC and low CBD
- Concentrates, wax, dabs, and BHO
- Moldy buds, moist buds, non-cured buds
Choose among the following:
- ACDC: This Cannatonic strain sees CBD at 20% dominating a 1% to 6% THC, so there is hardly any psychoactivity while it reduces anxiety, distress, and pain.
- Blue Dream: Its deep minty smoke and taste is perfect for social occasions. It’s potent enough to knock you for a loopy creative process. It works on anxiety, stress, and depression, but it is strong enough to work your way into it.
- Blueberry: 1% CBD counters the 16% THC in a blueberry/mango smoke. It produces full-body relaxation and a sleepy mind.
- Grape Ape: Pure Indica, this very potent strain has a fruity aroma and promises pleasant out of body fun for meditation and sight and sound appreciation.
- God's Gift:
It has a strong aroma like that of berries. Even though it should be
extremely purple, it is actually covered by gleaming white crystals and
is quite dense.
The smokers’ walkaway is to use cannabis in moderation: smoking, vaping, or eating. And, when you shop, you want to favor strains with low THC and high CBD.
Still,
your best guide is your own experience. If you have been a regular
user, you want to favor those strains that have given you the experience
you want and expect. That same experience tells what you found fearful
and threatening. That’s not experience you want to push.
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