Hyderabad: Dr Bharath Kumar, a psychiatrist, said that there has been a surge in the number of cases of psychological disturbance caused by continuous use of cannabis.
A study which was recently published in the Lancet concluded that the continued usage of cannabis could lead to psychosis and suicidal thoughts stemming from depression.
Dr Alok Ranjan, a neurosurgeon, said, “Cannabis usage is not regulated. Excess usage can lead to suicidal thoughts. Addiction can even cause brain haemorrhages. Our brain produces drugs at minuscule levels, but those are in the pure form. Although people claim that cannabis is the most natural drug, many use synthesised forms of it, which can lead to nerve damage in the brain.” He also said that tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active component of the drug, leaves the mind in emotional distress.
Neurologists said that cannabis should be treated as a stimulant, irrespective of its much debated medical properties. They attribute the euphoria felt after consumption of the drug to the neurotransmitters released upon stimulation. Dr Y. Venkatesh, a neurologist, said, “Any stimulant, even coffee, succeeds at stimulating the brain initially. When the drug is consumed, chemicals are released by the nerve cells. When that stimulation is stopped, it causes depression.” He added that long-term consumption of the drug can have extremely harmful effects on the body. “To continue to get the same feeling of euphoria that was felt while initially consuming the drug, dosages of consumption must be increased as the body adapts. This eventually increases toxicity in the body. Users become increasingly withdrawn, which leads to a feeling of alienation.”
Doctors said that although cannabinoids are often used for their medicinal properties, their side effects cannot be ignored. Dr Bharath Kumar said, “Euphoria and reckless behaviour under the influence of cannabis often result in guilt and sadness once the effect wears off. This leads to increased usage. Tetrahydrocannabinol is a stimulant which harms one’s mental health. It affects the white matter of the brain which is used to regulate emotions.”
Dr V.A. Prasad, a therapist, said, “The chemistry of the brain can be disturbed by the use of cannabis from a young age. Cannabinoids are known to cause more harm than good, which is why they are used in small quantities as part of therapeutic regimes, and that too only for specific cases.”
