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[luciddream11]

I have been recently confronted about my so called "drug problem" by my mom and i have tried to explain to her that for me smoking it does more good than bad. She wants me to talk to somebody but i do not think that anything will come of it because i think her solution is that i end up quiting and im not about to. A big part of this is the fact that smoking pot increases your chance of schizophrenia, but i dont think that any of my actions are cause. Personally i find that i am more "self aware" and more "myself" after smoking pot. Has anyone had a similar experience? Any input is much appreciated.

[five]

She's a Mother. Humour her and or hide the fact the you didn't quit.

[seedling]

Originally Posted by luciddream11

I have been recently confronted about my so called "drug problem" by my mom and i have tried to explain to her that for me smoking it does more good than bad. She wants me to talk to somebody but i do not think that anything will come of it because i think her solution is that i end up quiting and im not about to. A big part of this is the fact that smoking pot increases your chance of schizophrenia, but i dont think that any of my actions are cause. Personally i find that i am more "self aware" and more "myself" after smoking pot. Has anyone had a similar experience? Any input is much appreciated.

Yes, I feel I am more "myself" also, but that is attributed to the ailments I use cannabis to treat, chronic pain and inflammation (back, joints,), insomnia, migraines, and eye strain(I wear glasses and stare at monitors all day) and so in combination this makes me a more easy going person and more tolerant and patient.

I highly suggest having her do some research, or do some research together so you can answer any questions she might have and you are able to clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings along with how you benefit from the use of cannabis. I find this a very informative link from NORML about recent medical research:

Recent Research on Medical Marijuana - NORML



Also here is an article I found you might like to show her:

Cannabis/schizophrenia link questioned
Cannabis/schizophrenia link questioned

Published: 09:11 EST, July 26, 2007

Medicine & Health / Research
The Swiss government is questioning the results of a study showing a link between marijuana use and schizophrenia.

The Zurich University study showed a higher incidence of schizophrenia in the 1990s in the age groups most likely to use cannabis, Swissinfo said Wednesday.

"We know from other experimental studies that cannabis can cause psychosis, but we have now established a clear link to schizophrenia for the first time," study co-author Wulf Rossler said.

Swissinfo said the Federal Health Office is questioning the report, saying the patients' drug histories and other medical details remained unknown.

"It does not uncover the medical history of the patients, for instance the consumption of psychotic substances or other factors that could lead to psychotic illnesses," the health office in a statement.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Hope this helps! Let me know if there is anything else I might be able to help with!

[darkrail]

Hi LucidDream11,

The studies linking schizophrenia and cannabis are far from conclusive. They've shown a link, but they have not defined cause and effect. Is it that cannabis increases your risk of becoming schizophrenic, or is it that people genetically predisposed to schizophrenia are unhappier and thus more likely to go searching for relief from something like cannabis?

No one knows for sure, but it seems to me that the simplest and most logical explanation (applying Occam's razor here) is that unhappy schizophrenic people would of course be more likely to seek out cannabis when they're younger. Cannabis is a great cure for unhappiness. And while I'm personally unfamiliar with what a pre-schizophrenic teenager might feel like, I imagine that the soothing, focusing qualities of cannabis would improve their life substantially.

Here's a metaphor to summarize: Let's say a teenager had undiagnosed scoliosis (a crippling curvature of the spine). Scoliosis is something you are born with, but sometimes doesn't produce any symptoms until adulthood. As that teenager ages, her back begins to feel a little out of place, and then somewhat painful, and then really painful. Early in that process, she might start taking aspirin to deal with the pain. Many years later, her condition would worsen and she would finally find a doctor who understood the problem, and she would be diagnosed with scoliosis. Does this mean that her teenage aspirin use caused her scoliosis? Of course not!

Also, some of these reports end with scare-statements like, "YOU HAVE DOUBLE THE RISK OF SCHIZOPHRENIA IF YOU USE CANNABIS!!!" But what does that mean? About 0.4% of the population ends up with schizophrenia. So even if you buy the specious logic that shows a causal relationship, they're still only saying you have a 0.8% chance of developing schizophrenia... or, better stated, a 99.2% chance of being just fine. Try finding a prescription drug with such a low downside. Believe me, ALL of the prescription antidepressants have far, far worse downsides.

Furthermore, these studies have focused on "heavy users" of cannabis. Why not mitigate any risk and be a light user? Of course people who are using cannabis to deal with chemotherapy or other serious problems might need to be heavy users. For myself (using it just for back pain and stress), I find that vaporizing about twice a week is plenty. It's cheaper, it ensures that I don't build up much tolerance (ie. it keeps the cannabis feeling just as potent as the first time I used it), and it keeps the back pain away. This is just my personal opinion: a little moderation goes a long way.

Your mom's heart is certainly in the right place. Our government has used these studies to try to scare parents into further supporting the war on cannabis--so of course she's scared! Hopefully you'll be able to calm her nerves by openly communicating with her about the positives you've found in cannabis, in addition to educating her about the negative spin the government puts on these studies.

[greenmonkey]

awesome name lucid dream. i completely agree with being more self aware when smoking. feels like the image i have of myself and who im supposed to be is forgotten and i can experiece myself being myself at the moment.
i read a study somewhere on the net that said smoking weed increase the effects of schizophrenia in people that already have the condition. i dont think it would cause schizophrenia but after smoking bowls all day i certainly feel crazy.

[FreakNature]

Darkrail - great thoughts clearly stated.

LucidDream11, if you're still in a position to be under your mother's authority, then I think you have a few options. Either quit altogether, or be discreet enough that your mom doesn't know you're using. Eye drops, wash face and hands, chew gum or brush teeth, don't get arrested or caught...common sense stuff.

I started smoking as a minor (after trying what are, for adults, legal drugs - but for me gateway drugs). Cannabis gave me a sense of identity. I better understand now, 30+ years later, why Cannabis was in fact acting as medicine for me even at a young age.

Nevertheless, as hypocritical is it may seem, I wouldn't want my children to become chronic users. I would, however, prefer them to choose Cannabis over more harmful pharmaceuticals. So from my perspective, if you have a legitimate medical need (physical or mental) then educating your mother may be the best course. It will help if you're in a state that allows the use of Medical Marijuana, and if you are an adult.

Best wishes.

[HappyKitty]

It's great that you have received so much information on this subject. Cannabis awareness is what we are all about, and schizophrenia can be helped with marijuana.

Please read this from our website. Search shizophrenia using the search button above. I found many threads on this subject, but this one is right to the point.
Study Clears Cannabis of Schizophrenia Rap

Peace and best wishes

[t0mt0k3]

I find that I have incredible dreams after smoking. I am able to remember them more clearly, and they usually inspire me to write music or even paint pictures of what I can remember. The only negative thing pot has ever done for me is...is...I guess I forgot :)
Honestly though, the only negative about smoking for me is that sometimes, and only sometimes, it makes me a little too tired when I would rather be awake. Otherwise, I see absolutely nothing negative from it. I believe that your best bet is to continue smoking if you feel it is doing good for you. You have parents, as do I, but I am nineteen at this point, and it is MY life. I am old enough to make my own decisions. I respect my parents, and I love them very much. I have told them that I will smoke marijuana for the rest of my life, I have written papers showing proof that I am more likely to be harmed by the foods I eat than smoking herb, and I have proved my case to many other people. Do what is best for you, because only you know best for yourself.

[sdseeber]

Myth: Marijuana Can Cause Permanent Mental Illness. Among adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrational and often behave erratically.

Fact: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers or adults. Some marijuana users experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almost always when marijuana is eaten rather than smoked. Marijuana does not cause profound changes in people's behavior.

Iverson, Leslie. “Long-term effects of exposure to cannabis.” Current Opinion in Pharmacology 5(2005): 69-72.
Weiser and Noy. “Interpreting the association between cannabis use and increased risk of schizophrenia.” Dialogues in Clincal Neuroscience 1(2005): 81-85.

"Cannabis use will impair but not damage mental health." London Telegraph. 23 January 2006.
Andreasson, S. et al. “Cannabis and Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal study of Swedish Conscripts,” The Lancet 2 (1987): 1483-86.
Degenhardt, Louisa, Wayne Hall and Michael Lynskey. “Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis,” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 71 (2003): 42-4.
Weil, A. “Adverse Reactions to Marijuana: Classification and Suggested Treatment.” New England Journal of Medicine 282 (1970): 997-1000.

Myths and Facts About Marijuana