Marijuana has aroused more and more interest in the scientific world due to the possible benefits that its extracts can offer.
However, when we talk about it, we have to be careful.
According to a new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry , the use of Cannabis daily, or the use of a more concentrated form, can lead the user to develop a picture of severe mental disorder.
Among the consequences may be psychosis , a disease capable of causing the patient to lose connection with reality, with hallucinations, social difficulties, personality changes, mental confusion and problems maintaining daily activities.
The researchers noted that people who used Cannabis daily were 3 times more likely to develop this disorder when compared to non-users.
In addition, these chances increase even more when the marijuana used was more concentrated.
The concentration of the plant is measured by the amount of THC present. Up to 10%, it is considered a low content, but above that it is already concentrated.
In the study, it was observed that those who use more concentrated Cannabis (called Skunk) are even more at risk.
Read more: Portugal regulates the use of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes
Marijuana and THC
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive substance found in plants of the genus Cannabis and responsible for causing effects such as hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.
He worries health authorities as, according to the study, it is linked to a higher risk of the user developing mental problems.
The study indicated that 1 in 5 cases of psychosis may be related to the use of the plant.
Among participants who used marijuana every day, there was 3 times more chance of having a psychotic outbreak. Among those who used the most concentrated drug, the risks went up to 5 times.
But after all, do you know what Skunk is?
Skunk is a drug derived from marijuana that in its composition has a higher concentration of psychoactive substances (THS or tetrahydrocannabinol) produced after crossing several species of the plant.
The effects are basically the same as those of marijuana, but they act in the body with more intensity, exactly because it has more tetrahydrocannabinol.
The researchers, then, point out the need to study the circulation of marijuana. Not necessarily preventing or countering consumption, but warning about the impacts of altered Cannabis species.
Despite being beneficial for medicinal purposes, it is still necessary to know about the effects of marijuana and warn about the impacts and benefits.