Thread: Legalizing Mary-Jane Yes or No?

You can get a liver transplant but drug induced psychosis cant really be cured

Originally Posted by sailor jack

You can get a liver transplant but drug induced psychosis cant really be cured

Are you fucking kidding me? Are you talking about the supposed link between cannabis use and Schizophrenia? Because if you are then read this.

article
http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/co...mental-illness

abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19560900

For the sake of clarity and common understanding, I'm copy/pasting the DSM IV TR's entry on Cannabis here.

Cannabis-Related Disorders

This section includes problems that are associated with substances that are derived from the cannabis plant (cannabinoids) and chemically similar synthetic compound When the upper leaves, tops, and stems of the plant are cut, dried, and rolled into cigarettes, the product is usually called marijuana or bhang. Hashish is the dried, resinous exudate that seeps from the tops and undersides of cannabis leaves; hashish oil is a concentrated distillate of hashish. In recent years, another high-potency form of cannabis, sensimilla, has been produced in Asia, Hawaii, and California. Cannabinoids are usually smoked, but they may be taken orally, usually mixed with tea or food. The cannabinoid that has been identified as primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC, or delta-9-THC), a substance that is rarely available in a pure form. The cannabinoids have diverse effects in the brain, prominent among which are actions on CBI and CB2 cannabinoid receptors that are found throughout the central nervous system. Endogenous ligands for these receptors, anandamide and N-palmitoethanoiamide, behave essentially like neurotransmitters. The THC content of the marijuana that is generally available varies greatly. The THC content of illicit marijuana has increased significantly since the late 1960s from an average of approximately 1%-5% to as much as 10%-15%. Synthetic delta-9-THC has been used for certain general medical conditions (e.g., for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, for anorexia and weight loss in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome IAIDS)). This section contains discussions specific 10 the Cannabis-Related Disorders. Texts and criteria sets have already been provided 10 define the generic aspects of Substance Dependence (p. 192) and Substance Abuse (p. 198) that apply across all substances. The application of these general criteria to Cannabis Dependence and Abuse is provided below. However, there are no unique cri teria sets for Cannabis Dependence or Cannabis Abuse. A specifiC text and criteria set for Cannabis Intoxication is also provided below. Symptoms of possible cannabis withdrawal (e.g., irritable or anxious mood accompanied by physiological changes such as tremor, perspiration, nausea, change in appetite, and sleep disturbances) have been described in association with the use of very high doses, but their clinical significance is uncertain. For these reasons, the diagnosis of cannabis withdrawal is not included in this manual. The Cannabis-Induced Disorders (other than Cannabis Intoxication) are described in the sections of the manual with disorders with which they share phenomenology (e.g., Cannabis-Induced Mood Disorder is included in the "Mood Disorders" section). Listed below are the Cannabis Use Disorders and the Cannabis-Induced Disorders.

Cannabis Use Disorders

304.30 Cannabis Dependence (see p. 236)
305.20 Cannabis Abuse (see p. 236)

Cannabis-Induced Disorders

292.89 Cannabis Intoxication (see p. 237) Specify if: With Perceptual

Disturbances

292.81 Cannabis Intoxication Delirium (see p. 143)
292.]] Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder, With Delusions (see p. 338)
Specify if: With Onset During Intoxication
292_11 Cannabis·lnduced Psychotic Disorder, With Hallucinations
(see p. 338) Specify if: With Onset During Intoxication
292.89 Cannabis-Induced Anxiety Disorder (see p. 479)
Specify if: With Onset During Intoxication
292.9 Cannabis-Related Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (sec p. 241)

Cannabis Use Disorders

304.30 Cannabis Dependence

Refer, in addition, to the text and criteria for Substance Dependence (see p. 192). Individuals with Cannabis Dependence have compulsive use and associated problems. Tolerance to most of the effects of cannabis has been reported in individuals who use cannabis chronically. There have also been some reports of withdrawal symptoms, but their clinical significance is uncertain. There is some evidence that a majority of chronic users of cannabinoids report histories of tolerance or withdrawal and that these individuals evidence more severe drug-related problems overall. Individuals with Cannabis Dependence may use very potent cannabis throughout the day over a period of months or years, and they may spend several hours a day acquiring and using the substance. This often interferes with family, school, work, or recreational activities. Individuals with Cannabis Dependence may also persist in their use despite knowledge of physical problems (e.g., chronic cough related to smoking) or psychological problems (e.g., excessive sedation and a decrease in goal-oriented activities resulting from repeated use of high doses).

Specifiers

The following specifiers may be applied to a diagnosis of Cannabis Dependence (see p. 195 for more details):

With Physiological Dependence
Without Physiological Dependence
Early Full Remission
Early Partial Remission
Sustained Full Remission
Sustained Partial Remission
In a Controlled Environment

305.20 Cannabis Abuse

Refer, in addition, to the text and criteria for Substance Abuse (see p. 198). Periodic cannabis use and intoxication can interfere with performance at work or school and may be physically hazardous in situations such as driving a car. Legal problems may occur as a consequence of arrests for cannabis possession. There may be arguments with spouses or parents over the possession of cannabis in the home or its use in the presence of children. When psychological or physical problems are associated with cannabis in the context of compulsive use, a diagnosis of Cannabis Dependence, rather than Cannabis Abuse, should be considered.

Cannabis-Induced Disorders

292.89 Cannabis Intoxication

Refer, in addition, to the text and criteria for Substance Intoxication (see p. 199). The essential feature of Cannabis Intoxication is the presence of clinically significant maladaptive behavioral or psychological changes that develop during, or shortly after, cannabis use (Criteria A and B). Intoxication typically begins with a "high" feeling followed by symptoms that include euphoria with inappropriate laughter and grandiosity, sedation, lethargy, impairment in short term memory, difficulty carrying out complex mental processes, impaired judgment, distorted sensory perceptions, impaired motor performance, and the sensation that time is passing slowly. Occasionally, anxiety (which can be severe), dysphoria, or social withdrawal occurs. These psychoactive effects are accompanied by two or more of the following signs, developing within 2 hours of cannabis use: conjunctival injection, increased appetite, dry mouth, and tachycardia (Criterion C). The symptoms must not be due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (Criterion D). Intoxication develops within minutes if the cannabis is smoked, but may take a few hours to develop if ingested orally. The effects usually last 3-4 hours, the duration being somewhat longer when the substance is ingested orally. The magnitude of the behavioral and physiological changes depends on the dose, the method of administration, and the individual characteristics of the person using the substance, such as rate of absorption, tolerance, and sensitivity to the effects of the substance. Because most cannabinoids, induding delta-9-THC, are fat soluble, the effects of cannabis or hashish may occasionally persist or reoccur for 12- 24 hours due to a slow release of psychoactive substances from fatty tissue or to enterohepatic circulation.

Specifier

The following specifier may be applied to a diagnosis of Cannabis Intoxication: With Perceptual Disturbances. This specifier may be noted when hallucinations with in tact reality testing or auditory, visual, or tactile illusions occur in the absence of a delirium. Illtact reality testing means that the person knows that the halluci nations are induced by the substance and do not represent external reality. When hallucinations occur in the absence of intact reality testing, a diagnosis of Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder, With Hallucinations, should be considered.

Diagnostic criteria for 292.89 Cannabis Intoxication

A. Recent use of cannabis.
B. Clinically significant maladaptive behavioral or psychological changes (e .g., impaired motor coordination, euphoria, anxiety, sensation of slowed time, impaired judgment, social withdrawal) that developed during, or shortly after, cannabis use.
C. Two (or more) of the following signs, developing within 2 hours of cannabis use:
(1) conjunctival injection
(2) increased appetite
(3) dry mouth
(4) tachycardia
D. The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.

Specify if:

With Perceptual Disturbances

Other Cannabis-Induced Disorders

The following Cannabis-Induced Disorders are described in other sections of the manual with disorders with which they share phenomenology: Cannabis Intoxication Delirium (p. 143), Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder (p . 338), and Cannabis Induced Anxiety Disorder (p. 479). These disorders are diagnosed instead of Cannabis Intoxication only when the symptoms are in excess of those usually associated with Cannabis Intoxication and when the symptoms are sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.

Additional Information on Cannabis-Related Disorders

Associated Features and Disorders

Associated descriptive features and mental disorders. Cannabis is often used with other substances, especially nicotine, alcohol, and cocaine. Cannabis (especially marijuana) may be mixed and smoked with opioids, phencyclidine (PCP), or hallucinogenic drugs. Individuals who regularly use cannabis often report both physical and mental lethargy and anhedonia. Mild forms of depression, anxiety, or irritability are seen in about one-third of individuals who regularly use cannabis (daily or almost daily). When taken in high doses, cannabinoids have psychoactive effects that can be similar to those of hallucinogens (e.g., lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD)), and individuals who use cannabinoids can experience adverse mental effects that resemble hallucinogen-induced "bad trips." These range from mild to moderate levels of anxiety (e.g., concern that the police will discover the substance use) to severe anxiety reactions resembling Panic Attacks. There may also be paranoid ideation ranging from suspiciousness to frank delusions and hallucinations. Episodes of depersonalization and derealization have also been reported. Fatal traffic accidents have been found to occur more often in individuals who test positive forcannabinoids than in the general population. However, the significance of these findings is unclear because alcohol and other substances are often also present.

Associated laboratory findings.

Urine tests generally identify cannabinoid metabolites. Because these substances are fat soluble, persist in bodily fluids for extended periods of time, and are excreted slowly, routine urine tests for cannabinoids in individuals who use cannabis casually can be positive for 7-10 days; urine of individuals with heavy use of cannabis may test positive for 2-4 weeks. A positive urine test is only consistent with past use; it does not establish Intoxication, Dependence, or Abuse. Biological alterations include temporary (and probably dose-related) suppression of immunological function and suppressed secretion of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), although the clinical Significance of these alterations is unclear. Acute cannabinoid use also causes diffuse slowing of background activity on EEG and rapid eye movement (REM) suppression.

Associated physical examination findings and general medical conditions.

Cannabis smoke is highly irritating to the nasopharynx and bronchial lining and thus increases the risk for chronic cough and other signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal pathology. Chronic cannabis use is sometimes associated with weight gain, probably resulting from overeating and reduced physical activity. Sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis with persistent cough, emphysema, and pulmonary dysplasia may occur with chronic, heavy use. Marijuana smoke contains even larger amounts of known carcinogens than tobacco.

Specific Culture, Age, and Gender Features

Cannabis is probably the world's most commonly used illicit substance. It has been taken since ancient times for its psychoactive effects and as a remedy for a wide range of medical conditions. It is among the first drugs of experimentation (often in the teens) for all cultural groups in the United States. As with most other illicit drugs, Cannabis Use Disorders appear more often in males, and prevalence is most common in persons between ages 18 and 30 years.

Prevalence

Cannabinoids, especially cannabis, are also the most widely used illicit psychoactive substances in the United States. Although the lifetime prevalence figures slowly decreased in the 1980s, modest increases were reported between 1991 and 1997, especially among youth. A 1996 national survey of drug use noted that 32% of the US. population reported ever having used a cannabinoid. Almost 1 in 11 had used it in the prior year, and around 5% had used it in the past month. The age span with the highest lifetime prevalence was 26 to 34 years (50%), but use in the last year (24%) and last month (13%) was most common in 18- to 25-year-olds. Among those who used in the prior year, 5% had taken a cannabinoid at least 12 times, and 3% had laken one on more than 50 days. Regarding use of cannabis in adolescents and young adults, a 1995 survey found that 42% of high school seniors had ever used a cannabinoid, including 35% in the prior year. Because the surveys assessed patterns of use rather than disorders, it is not known how many of those who used marijuana had symptoms that met criteria for Dependence or Abuse.

A 1992 national survey conducted in the United States reported lifetime rates of Cannabis Abuse or Dependence of almost 5%, including 1.2% in the prior year.

Course

Cannabis Dependence and Abuse usually develop over an extended period of time, although the progression might be more rapid in young people with pervasive conduct problems. Most people who become dependent typically establish a pattern of chronic use that gradually increases in both frequency and amount. With chronic heavy use, there is sometimes a diminution or loss of the pleasurable effects of the substance. Although there may also be a corresponding increase in dysphOric effects, these are not seen as frequently as in chronic use of other substances such as alcohol, cocaine, or amphetamines. A history of Conduct Disorder in childhood or adolescence and Antisocial Personality Disorder are risk factors for the development of many Substance-Related Disorders, induding Cannabis-Related Disorders. Few data are available on the long-term course of Cannabis Dependence or Abuse. As with alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, cannabinoid use appears early in the course of substance use in many people who later go on to develop Dependence on other substances -an observation that has led to speculation that cannabis might be a "gateway drug." However, the social, psychological, and neurochemical bases of this possible progression are not well understood, and it is not clear that marijuana actually causes individuals to go on to use additional types of substances.

Differential Diagnosis

For a general discussion of the differential diagnosis of Substance-Related Disorders, see p. 207. Cannabis-Induced Disorders may be characterized by symptoms (e.g., anxiety) that resemble primary mental disorders (e.g., Generalized Anxiety Disorder versus Cannabis-Induced Anxiety Disorder, With Generalized Anxiety, With Onset During Intoxication). See p. 210 for a discussion of this differential diagnosis. Chronic intake of cannabis can produce a lack of motivation that resembles Dysthymic Disorder. Acute adverse reactions to cannabis should be differentiated from the symptoms of Panic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, or Schizophrenia, Paranoid Type. Physical examination will usually show an increased pulse and injected conjunctivas. Urine toxicological testing can be helpful in making a diagnosis.

In contrast to Cannabis Intoxication, Alcohol Intoxication and Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Intoxication frequently decrease appetite, increase aggressive behavior, and produce nystagmus or ataxia. Hallucinogens in low doses may cause a clinical picture that resembles Cannabis Intoxication. PCP, like cannabis, can be smoked and also causes perceptual changes, but Phencyclidine Intoxication is much more likely to cause ataxia and aggressive behavior. Cannabis Intoxication is distinguished from the other Cannabis-Induced Disorders (e.g., Cannabis-Induced Anxiety Disorder, With Onset During Intoxication) because the symptoms in these latter disorders are in excess of those usually associated with Cannabis Intoxication and are severe enough to warrant independent clinical attention.

The distinction between occasional use of cannabis and Cannabis Dependence or Abuse can be difficult to make because social, behavioral, or psychological problems may be difficult to attribute to the substance, especially in the context of use of other substances. Denial of heavy use is common, and people appear to seek treatment for Cannabis Dependence or Abuse less often than for other types of Substance-Related Disorders.

292.9 Cannabis-Related Disorder

Not Otherwise Specified

The Cannabis-Related Disorder Not Otherwise Specified category is for disorders associated with the use of cannabis that are not dassifiable as Cannabis Dependence, Cannabis Abuse, Cannabis Intoxication, Cannabis Intoxication Delirium, Cannabis Induced Psychotic Disorder, or Cannabis-Induced Anxiety Disorder.

Originally Posted by coqauvin

For the sake of clarity and common understanding, I'm copy/pasting the DSM IV TR's entry on Cannabis here.

This really only provides an insight as to what the high is actually like, along with some of the myths of what getting high will do to you. It's been proven that one can not be physically dependent on marijuana. Also, see Kulluminiti's post.

And just for kicks:
Cannabis Stimulates brain cell growth

Cannibis can help get rid of tumors