In psychosis, a person temporarily loses touch with reality. Hallucinations and delusions are possible.
Whether cannabis causes psychosis has not been conclusively established by research. It is widely accepted that cannabis is one risk factor among several. Together with other factors, it can contribute to psychosis developing. People who use cannabis develop psychosis more often than people who do not.
The risk increases:
- the more often someone uses
- the higher the THC content
- the earlier someone starts, because the brain continues to mature until about the mid-20s
- if parents or siblings have already had psychosis
Anyone with psychosis in the family or who has already had psychotic experiences is better off avoiding cannabis altogether. Anyone who uses should at least avoid products with a high THC content. It is also important to take early signs seriously, for example if perception or thinking changes, and then to seek medical help.
Remember: Not all use leads to psychosis, but the risk is real and can be reduced.
More on this: Risks without panic · Who should avoid cannabis