One of TV's favorite medical personalities is weighing in on the “very alarming” results from recent research into marijuana use.
“When this first started coming up, I was actually a little skeptical. It seemed like too much to me,” addiction medicine expert Dr. Drew Pinsky said on Friday. Speaking on The Bottom Line. “We've always known that cannabis is associated with psychotic episodes, but our earlier suspicions were that it was mainly people who were already heading in that direction, and perhaps that's why they used this drug. That's why we're doing it.”
However, data from recent analyzes and studies show that people who experience at least one psychotic episode after using cannabis are almost 50% more likely to develop schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and teens and young adults We know that the risk is even higher.
“Concentrations of cannabis, especially in states where recreational use is legal, are staggering, approaching 100% where it's literally a different drug and affects people differently,” Dr. Drew explained. did. “And now, very commonly, we are seeing people develop hyperemesis, or uncontrollable vomiting symptoms.”
“It's very common from weeds,” he continued. “And psychotic episodes are becoming more and more common, to the point where you can actually say that these kids are a hallmark of the kind of psychosis that is being caused by cannabis.”
A 2017 American Journal of Psychiatry study found an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia Marijuana users had the highest They were 16 to 25 years old and had a greater impact than alcohol, opioids, amphetamines, and hallucinogens.
this week, Analysis of Truveta highlighted that the diagnosis rate for cannabis use disorder was more than 50% higher in November compared to the same period in 2019. Additionally, the number of cannabis-related emergency department visits increased by nearly 50%.
Although 25 states in the US have decriminalized marijuana and now recognizes it as a recreational drug, Dr Drew warned that this could open the door for easier access for young people.
“You're fighting a serious cultural bias. They've literally been taught that tobacco is far worse than marijuana, but also in terms of alcohol and its impact on overall health. They're also right that it's carcinogenic. From a work loss standpoint, yes, the cumulative effects of alcohol are measurably worse than marijuana. But marijuana is also harmful.” He said.
Dr Drew added: “With the incredibly high concentrations of cannabis that currently exist, we are starting to see real problems with really unexpected psychotic episodes and an increase in addiction.” I have a family member who is a recovering marijuana addict. ”
The mental health and addiction expert added that he has seen firsthand lifelong panic attacks and knows personally the “devastating consequences” of marijuana drug abuse.
“I don't think there are such things as bad chemicals. I think there are risks to chemicals that humans interact with,” Dr. Drew said. “And you just need to understand those risks.”
