Cannabis, like it or not, is in common use across the city. Suggest to many a user that there might be negative effects to smoking it, and responses will likely be: ‘alcohol causes more harm', 'dope has been smoked for centuries', 'some of the greatest artists smoked it', 'coffee and tea are drugs' or 'it has great health benefits'. Some will even argue that if we all smoked dope the world would be a better place. The fact that it could have negative effects is largely brushed over. Unlike the media campaigns against alcohol abuse that make clear links to health, the media often focus on the illegality of cannabis or claims that it is morally corrupting. But the British Lung Foundation have recently released a report claiming that inhaling cannabis without the tobacco is more cancerous than tobacco(1) and there is a growing body of scientific evidence, supporting the argument, that smoking cannabis can cause psychological problems.

Is Cannabis Blowing our Minds?

By Darren Guy and Michelle Richards

Cannabis is believed to have stemmed from central Asia, way before recorded time. In China, cannabis has been grown for at least 6,000 years. The plant was used for making hemp fabric; it was also recommended for malaria, constipation, rheumatic pains, 'absent-mindedness' and female disorders! But its ability to make one 'see devils' if smoked to excess was also recognized. In Europe before it was smoked or eaten, it was grown and used for making rope and canvas, and was an important commodity for the navy.

In 1839 marijuana received its first scientific appraisal. A young chemistry professor at the University of Calcutta named W. B. O'Shaunessy tried it out on various ailments. He concluded that it was an effective anticonvulsant and an appetite stimulant. Over the next 60 years more than 100 research papers were published in Western medical literature recommending it for various illnesses and discomforts including tetanus, neuralgia, dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps), asthma and migraine. Its use was suggested in the case of terminal illnesses to 'distract the patient's mind' and to subdue restlessness and anxiety. It was given to Queen Victoria by her court physician. 'Tincture of cannabis' became a common preparation available over the counter in pharmacies and drug stores.

In 1928 cannabis was banned in the UK as a recreational drug. Today cannabis, according to official figures, is smoked regularly by 4 million people across the UK. Its usefulness as a pain reliever in the treatment of nauseas, multiple sclerosis and HIV is greatly acknowledged by many health professionals and scientists. But its negative effects are coming more and more to the fore.

In the past 10 years there has been growing scientific evidence that the smoking or taking of cannabis could have profoundly damaging effects on the brains of some users. This discovery will come as no surprise to many people who have been arguing for years that it has damaging psychological effects.

The research findings claim that there is a direct link between smoking cannabis and loss of memory and will power, and more seriously psychosis and schizophrenia.

The first study to hint at these dangers came out of Sweden in the early Nineties and was heavily disputed. Since then, six major studies following users over a number of years, have identified much stronger links between cannabis use and the development of psychotic symptoms. The research claims that smokers have suffered from abnormalities of perception, emotion, thought, motivation and motor function, all of which can have a devastating effect on people's lives. People have suffered from delusions, such as believing someone is reading their mind or that they are immensely wealthy, powerful or famous. Other more common symptoms range from people becoming extremely disorganised, to the occasional sound and visual hallucinations. Many sufferers have found they are unable to cope with daily life, and are unaware that their behaviour is abnormal.

A study from New Zealand, published in March, in the medical journal 'Addiction' reported 'a clear increase in rates of psychotic symptoms after the start of regular use'. The study was conducted over 25 years and followed 1,055 people born in 1977. The research found that psychotic symptoms are more likely to be triggered in young people or people who smoke it over long periods of time.(2)

Cannabis resin contains the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which produces a sense of euphoria and an apparent heightening of all the senses, especially vision. It slows the reflexes and gives an illusory sense of deep philosophical conviction, and sometimes the feeling that one can get to know oneself and the world completely. Medical professionals have expressed further concern in the increase over the past 10 years in the availability of super-strength cannabis, 'skunk', which contains a high level of THC and is even more likely to trigger panic attacks, manic depression or the condition now known as cannabis-induced psychosis.

Nerve, in collaboration with HeaL8 Healthy Living Centre, have carried out our own research. We spoke with a number of present and former cannabis users about their experiences.

Many regular smokers believed that dope was not a problem in their lives. Those who smoked it less frequently believed that more regular use could lead to problems. Some regular smokers who described having problems, such as anxiety or panic attacks, believed these problems were caused by other factors in their life like poverty or injustice, and defended their use of cannabis.

Ex cannabis users reported having experienced some or all of the following symptoms: panic attacks, anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, paranoia, communication problems, psychosis, anger/irritation and intense runaway thoughts. They believed that these symptoms were a direct result of their cannabis use.

For Martin, a musician, the first year or so of smoking dope was an exhilarating experience - 'It made me appreciate music so much; a live performance would be amazing. You could really hear the levels of creativity, identify the different mixes.' Later, 'the good times started to be replaced by the paranoia'. The more he tried to get a 'buzz' back, the more paranoia would take over. Martin also spoke about having no motivation. 'I remember one day bumping into a mate I hadn't seen for ages on Bold Street, it was October and I couldn't remember what I'd done the whole year. I just stopped doing anything with my life, and every time I questioned what I was doing, where I was going, I got panicked, so rolled a spliff to numb the panic instead of acting or enforcing change in my life.'

Sue said that when she first started smoking it gave her confidence; she could be, 'more outgoing and relaxed.' She, 'didn't think it was possible to be happy without it, but it never stayed like that. I started seeing things - hallucinations. I saw white smoke coming out of my arms. I thought I was going to spontaneously combust.' When having a bath she would see, 'insects or hot bubbling water'. Sue began to experience severe paranoia, 'I started believing everybody hated me' for example. 'If I saw anyone with a hose pipe cleaning their car I'd believe the hose was full of petrol, and they were waiting for me because they were plotting to burn me.' Sue thought the weather was controlled by a film crew who were deliberately making the weather hot over her house. She also believed the newspapers and the radio were subtly saying things to her.

Keith says that when he first started smoking, 'it was fantastic like I'd come home. It was like there'd always been something missing and pot filled the gap. I'd get the giggles and be chatty and extroverted. But in the end it made me introverted. All the friends I had who didn't smoke faded out of my social circle; until my social circle was entirely people who smoked.’ Keith said pot started to make him sensitive and vulnerable, until 'I'd just go along with what people said, my will power became almost non existent.' Keith said that before he smoked dope he felt he, 'had an aura of protection against the world.' Then after smoking dope for years he felt 'weak and ineffectual.' He had, 'no self respect, self esteem and self worth' and this made him, 'smoke more to suppress the feeling.'

Tony smoked for 20 years because he felt anxious, and was told by others that dope would relax him, and make him feel ok about himself. Tony began to mix it with alcohol. 'I had a breakdown. I had cannabis-induced psychosis. It was never diagnosed by professionals, but I knew what it was. I became a recluse for three months. I couldn't handle reality at all. I never sought any professional help because I felt embarrassed.' 'I lost my self confidence, esteem and social skills. I couldn't go anywhere where there were crowds. I continued smoking cannabis with people I knew and trusted.'

'On reflection they were seriously mentally affected by it. Cannabis is a breeding ground for confusion. The minute I stopped using cannabis my mind started to correct itself.'

Dave said he believed people were talking about him when they weren't. He had a constant feeling he was being watched.

'I would be in my own flat, when a car would pull up outside and I wondered whether the person would jump out and come and get me.' Dave has given up now because the paranoia and anxiety got so bad. 'People say it’s not chemically addictive but don't realize how powerful psychological dependency is' - 'I know that for some people who smoke it, it's not a problem. But the majority of people, it really affects.'

Keith says, 'you have all these plans, ideas, dreams and ambitions but as soon as you light up you put everything off. Everything could wait until tomorrow, even simple everyday things like eating sensibly or going out. You'd rather just 'veg' and stare into space.'

John says he used to smoke cannabis in prison. 'It was freely available, everybody smoked it; you could smell it coming up and along the landings when you were in your cell. It took me a while to realize the prison guards were happy with that, because when the prisoners are stoned they don't complain or cause trouble.' Others also believe that cannabis is used as a form of social control. Tony says: 'Why did the government reclassify the drug? Do they want to control us? What kind of government tells you that drugs are alright. It's a soft drug. It makes you soft in the head. That's the controlling factor. If people are spaced out they're not going to bother them.'

Nearly all of the ex-users we spoke to said that using cannabis often started off as a good experience, but that when problems started they tried to get stoned to divert them and that this made things worse.

The dealers we spoke to had a mixture of responses, those who didn't smoke believed it was a matter of free choice. Jim said: 'A barman doesn't think "should I be selling a pint to that guy, he might get a drink problem."' One dealer, Pete, felt more responsible, he said he tried to discourage those he thought were smoking too much from buying, or encourage them to buy something weaker instead of skunk.

Many of the ex-users expressed concerns for the young people today. Kate said she saw more and more young people getting into it, 'because of the job I do, I see it all the time, and young people don't even know it's illegal. I travel around the city to see my clients, and you wouldn't believe the amount of young people I see smoking it. I see teenagers in school uniforms walking to school sharing a spliff. I've seen kids as young as nine rolling spliffs. A few of the teenagers I work with have told me they share a joint with their parents.' Dave believes smoking it in his teenage years was, 'the worst thing you can do as far as mental progression is concerned, because it affects the part of the brain that develops personality and interaction'. Paul Corry, of the mental health charity Rethink, believes: 'We are facing a drug-induced mental health crisis.’

HeaL8 is producing a publication 'The Cannabis Tales', which contains some of the in-depth interviews gained through our research. This will be available in the New Year.
If you would like to know more or are an organisation or individual that would like to contribute contact Michelle, 07734 491 878.
If you have a problem with drugs contact the National Drugs Helpline on 0800 77 66 00

1. A recent study by the British Lung Foundation found that just three cannabis joints a day could cause the same damage as 20 cigarettes. The tar phase of cannabis smoke contains higher concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than tobacco smoke. As PAHs are carcinogenic, the lung cancer risk gets even higher.
2. Unlike previous research, which suggested that cannabis, use intensifies psychosis in those already prone to it, this research argues it can actually cause it.