New research unveils cannabis’ hidden mental health pitfalls

FEELING PARANOID?

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

FOR years, cannabis has been embraced as a stress reliever, a pain aid, and for some, even a wellness ritual. It's often described as “natural” and “safe”, especially compared to alcohol or harder drugs.

However, new research is questioning this belief. It has found a concerning connection between cannabis use, paranoia and mental health, especially for people who have experienced childhood trauma.

According to a large-scale survey conducted by the World Mental Health Survey Consortium, around 70% of adults report experiencing trauma at least once in their lives.

This trauma can stem from various devastating events, including witnessing a loved one's death, enduring physical violence, or surviving life-threat-ening situations. However, trauma is a subjective experience; what is traumatic for one person may not hold the same weight for another, depending on individual coping mechanisms and personal context.

Trauma, cannabis and paranoia

A large-scale study led by King’s College London and the University of Bath has put paranoia back in the spotlight.

Using data from more than 3 389 adults in the Cannabis & Me survey, scientists found a clear trend: people who used cannabis to self-medicate for anxiety, depression, or pain consumed significantly higher levels of THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis) and reported more intense paranoia than those who used it rec-reationally.

The results are concerning. Over half of the people surveyed, 52% reported childhood trauma, such as emotional abuse, physical violence, or family problems. These individuals had higher paranoia scores and were even more at risk when they used cannabis.