Tag Archives: mental health

Can Genetics Explain Why Pot is Dangerous to Mental Health?

First Time Marijuana Use Can Result in Crippling Mental Illness

On February 2, 2017, Psychiatrist.com published the case of a 20-year old man who went into psychosis from first time marijuana use.   The paper reveals: “Several first-time, non-chronic cannabis users have presented to our clinic with psychosis or thought disorders lasting months after first- or second-time cannabis use.”  The authors work at Columbia University Department of Psychiatry and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Why do some people have a predisposition for psychosis and schizophrenia from marijuana use? It can’t entirely be explained coming from a family with history of mental illness.   Another case study of a young man with bipolar had no family history for mental illness.  His diagnosis of bipolar disorder seems uniquely connected to the marijuana use.   These cases are familiar to families involved with Parents Opposed to Pot.

Some research suggests that those with the c/c variant of the AKT1 gene are more susceptible to schizophrenia if they use marijuana.  Those with the Val/Val or Val/Met variants of the COMT gene appear more likely to be susceptible than those with the Met/Met variant of COMT.   Other variables include age of starting to use pot, frequency of use and the strength of the marijuana.

Seriously, how many young people know their AKT1 and COMT gene variations before they start using marijuana?  And there are many additional genetic factors, yet to be isolated, that clearly contribute to susceptibility in others.

Why isn’t NORML, Marijuana Policy Project or Drug Policy Action educating youth about these hidden risk factors?  It can ruin someone’s life if they use marijuana and it turns out they are one of the unfortunate.    NORML has always known of this link to schizophrenia.  Drug Policy Action dismisses at current science with an evasive explanation on their website.

A comprehensive study from Finland suggests the risk with marijuana for a chronic schizophrenia spectrum disorder from marijuana use is far greater than with any other drug.

Anyways, genetics isn’t foolproof either.  Many women still get breast cancer even if they don’t have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variations known to raise susceptibility.    The best option for avoiding a mental health disorder related to marijuana is complete avoidance of marijuana.

Currently, the average strength of marijuana sold in Colorado and Washington is more than 20% THC.  This means it is 5-10 times stronger than the marijuana of the ’70s and ’80s.   One Washington hospital announced last April that it has 1-2 new psychosis patients every day.   Legal, regulated markets increase rather than decrease the risk.

Read our other articles on the marijuana-psychosis connection:           Is Marijuana a Safe Drug?

Marijuana-Psychosis

10 Myths Marijuana Advocates Want You to Believe

Marijuana is Connected to Psychosis and Schizophrenia

My Marijuana Psychosis Sent Me to the Hospital

Dr. McKeganey Warned of the Marijuana-Mental Illness Links

In January, the National Academy of Sciences released a comprehensive review of multiple studies on marijuana.    The report is available here.

 

Kennedy Forum Report Speaks Against Marijuana in Mental Health Report

Super Bowl Ad Makes the Message Clear and Relevant

The Kennedy Forum report on mental health and addiction was released to  the 115th Congress three weeks ago. In the report Patrick Kennedy clearly indicates that marijuana legalization is detrimental to public health. Parents Opposed to Pot maintains that by preventing the initiation of drug use, the United States could cut its mental health care needs by 30 percent.  Marijuana promotion is contributing to our current crisis.  The Kennedy Forum published the following in its report to the 115th Congress:

“In the absence of such a campaign, social media and other channels are inundated with dangerous and incorrect information about drugs of initiation, including alcohol and marijuana. A fact-based campaign reiterating the emerging science, and reinforcing other efforts in schools and communities, is imperative.”

“This is especially needed in the current environment which is legitimizing misuse of certain substances, particularly alcohol and marijuana. It is impossible to grapple with substance use and mental health disorders without tackling drugs of initiation, like alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Congress should resist efforts to legalize and further legitimize marijuana. Our nation cannot afford to make the same mistakes with marijuana that we made with legal opioids or tobacco in the past. Congress should put a stop to efforts to legitimize marijuana businesses (for example, by strictly regulating the capacity at which banks can have financial dealings with marijuana businesses), lest we inadvertently support and encourage another entity whose profit motivates conflict with the public health interest of preventing substance misuse and addiction.

“We also need increased accountability from the transnational corporations that generate over $200 billion in revenue each year from the sale of beer, wine and liquor in the United States. Alcohol marketing is ubiquitous in our society, seen everywhere from Super Bowl television commercials to 10-second vertical video ads on Snapchat Live stories………..”

Stop Marketing Addiction to Children

Patrick Kennedy’s observations were also true about marijuana during the recent Super Bowl featuring a T-Mobile commercial with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog joking about marijuana.  Millions of children watched the program and saw this attempt to normalize and promote cannabis use.  Yet a Columbia University case study presents the fact that using marijuana only once or twice can precipitate mental illness.

Those who have lost loved ones to addiction and psychotic disorders are deeply offended by T-Mobile, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog.   Such joking disguises the real dangers of using pot.  In Anatomy of an Epidemic, Robert Whitaker cites three studies indicating that bipolar disorder can be triggered by marijuana use.  Many psychiatrists even need re-training in addictive and psychotic disorders due to the popularity and increased potency of today’s marijuana.

Download the entire PDF here: Navigating The New Frontier of Mental Health and Addiction a guide for the 115th Congress

Patrick Kennedy Pushes Mental Health and Addiction Parity

New Administration Can’t Abandon Parity in Midst of Addiction Crisis

On Tuesday, January 24,  former Congressman Patrick Kennedy announced the Kennedy Forum’s initiative, a Mental Health and Addiction Guide for the 115th Congress.   He unveiled the online parity registry and presented the information to a congressional audience at the Russell Senate Office Building.   Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Ed Markey and some members of Congress spoke, as well as Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.   Dr. David Satcher,  Surgeon General between 1998 and 2002, also addressed the large crowd.

Mental Health and Addiction treatment often go hand in hand.  Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) spoke, too.   Two mothers who experienced denial of coverage for children with mental health/addiction problems recounted their stories.   A large number of mental health care advocates were also in the audience.

CongressmanFredUpton
Congressman Fred Upton of Michigan was also a speaker at the event at the Russell Senate Office Building on January 24. He is shown here with former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, right.

Although the Trump Administration promises to replace the Affordable Health Act, we cannot give up on treating mental health.  In fact, mental health and addiction treatment need to be front and center of any health care legislation.   All of us have seen photos of parents passed out in cars from accidental overdoses, toddlers in tow.   The more 52,000 drug overdose death in 2015 are a national tragedy.  We will continue to lose too many young people this way, if we don’t treat the addictive disorders.  The number of drug deaths far outstrip any other accidental cause of death, including guns and vehicle crashes.

History of Parity Legislation

A member of Congress between 1994 and 2008, Representative Kennedy sponsored legislation requiring mental health parity, and worked diligently for its passage.   Since President George W. Bush signed the legislation back in 2008, insurance companies must give equal health care to mental and addictive disorders.

However, violations continue.  “We are literally living in denial when we refuse to acknowledge that this law is being blatantly disregarded on a daily basis, leaving millions of Americans unable to access needed mental health and addiction treatment and services,”  Kennedy explained.  That is why the Parity Registry, sponsored by the Kennedy Forum is important.  By logging onto parityregistry.org, those with an insurance issue may network with others, get advice and take action.

There are rumblings that the new administration will try to get rid of mental health parity.   Drug abuse deaths and overdoses account for far more deaths than any other accidental cause, more than 52,000 in 2016.  It would be the absolute worst time in recent history to get rid of mental health and addiction treatment.  Those who are ages 25-34 are dying at a rate five times the death rate for those ages in 1999!

Mental Health and Physical Health: It’s All Connected Anyways

New studies are relating childhood mental health to trauma, often because of addicted parents.   Studies suggest that treating mental health issues at the onset of problems will prevent later addiction and mental health issues. Early traumas are also related to heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases.  So treating the mental health issues at the source is important to avoiding all kinds of health care costs later.

The Kennedy Forum is also advocating for better care and improved behavioral health outcomes.   

EndtheDenial

The US has experienced crushing health care costs from the diabetes epidemic.  However the rate appears to be going down slightly because Americans are listening to warnings.  We now know the epidemic is partially caused by the over-consumption of sugar, processed food and fast food.  Let’s do the same for mental health care and addiction avoiding many of the variables that feed into mental illness and addiction.

Just as avoiding sugar may guard against diabetes, avoiding marijuana may guard against mental illness, psychosis and suicide attempts.  Avoiding marijuana while young also helps prevent the gateway effect into other drugs.  Drug overdose deaths have doubled since 2004.  The rate of increase in drug-related deaths has been increasing dramatically since 2012.   Legalized marijuana began about this time, also.

The Kennedy initiative pushes for the incorporation of mental health assessments and addiction education into early childhood education.   Parents Opposed to Pot also supports early anti-drug and addiction education.  We encourage parents not to use marijuana and other drugs to protect their children’s mental health.  We believe the high use of marijuana by teens today is feeding more drug addiction in the future.

Patrick Kennedy says it’s time for the political science to catch up with the neuroscience of addiction.  Last November he participated in a forum on the use and misuse of addictive substances.  The Kennedy Forum, Kennedy founded One Mind for Research, a global leader in open science collaboration in brain research.   Patrick is the son of the late  Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy.

The Qualities Needed for Our New ONDCP Director

The New Director of White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) must deal with urgent problems. There’s a drug overdose epidemic from heroin, opioids and onslaught of synthetic drugs entering our country.  Furthermore, 25-34-year-olds are dying from drugs at a rate 5 times what it was in 1999.   (In 2000, NORML attacked ONDCP Director Barry McCaffrey’s campaign against drug use in the television ads.  McCaffrey, ONDCP Director from 1996-2001, is pictured above.)

For the next ONDCP Director, we need someone who acknowledges that marijuana causes psychosis, mental illness and addiction.   We need someone who recognizes that allowing states to legalize marijuana contributed to the growth of heroin addiction and deaths. This person must be familiar with addiction to all classes of drugs, as multi-substance abuse is the trend today.

Independents, Democrats and Republicans support Parents Opposed to Pot, as well as a large number of parents in Mexico and Canada.  What we do in the USA, helps other countries, or in the case of marijuana, harms them.  We’re bi-partisan, like the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, which created the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Parents Opposed to Pot has more advocates in Colorado than any other state.  Colorado parents were blindsided with legalization and forced to address an aggressive marijuana industry.  The next ONDCP leader will need to speak out about how decriminalization is different from legalization.  Minorities are hurt by legalization more than others, because commercial marijuana preys on communities of color or impoverished places.

The next director will know that marijuana legalization did not replace cartels, but expanded the cartels’ US heroin sales. The heroin epidemic has many causes, but legalization of marijuana provided an opening and the cartels took advantage.   As one former prosecutor said, “Legalization doesn’t discourage the drug dealers and cartels; it emboldens them.”

The next ONDCP director will know that marijuana use is directly connected to heroin abuse.  (A video on the bottom of this article explains  this concept well.)  Currently, six percent of high school seniors are daily marijuana users.  These heavy, early pot users are conditioning their brains for other addictive substances, too.  Moreover, the studies of Yasmin Hurd find evidence that marijuana primes the brains of offspring for heroin addiction.  (Professor Hurd is Director of the Center for Addictive Disorders, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.)

BillBennett
William Bennett, author of the Book of Virtues, as ONDCP director in 1989-1990, was a forceful spokesperson against drug usage. He had served as Education Secretary and head of the National Endowment of the Humanities, and had a commitment to children.

The United States leads the world in drug use, with about 56% of the world’s drug users.  Demand reduction and prevention education should be a priority of the new ONDCP director.   Although there are useful aspects of “harm reduction,” it is far less effective in saving lives than “demand reduction.”  The evidence is in the US death rate from drugs.  We need renewed education efforts in elementary schools.

We’ve Screwed up Our Country, Now Let’s Get it Back

Since legalization means promotion, the ONDCP director will need to counter the fact that legalization equals commercialization.  The marijuana industry is looking for more and future users and the youth of America fits the bill.

Colorado has gained the most notoriety of the legalization states.  Much of the American public doesn’t understand the difference between decriminalization and legalization.  Diane Carlson, co-founder of Smart Colorado explained: “Many people thought they were voting to decriminalize marijuana.   Colorado already had decriminalized marijuana.  To the surprise of many, legalization led to full-blown marijuana commercialization practically overnight.

It’s not a “state’s rights” issue because commercial pot from legal states gets into the other states.  Interstate drug commerce is still illegal.  The problem is so widespread that other states have sued Colorado.

The next director will need to understand why marijuana does not replace pain medications. Promoting non-medical ways to address pain, such as MBSR and EMDR, should become a priority with Americans.  For those with addiction, substituting one addictive substance with another addictive substance only compounds their problems.  The ONDCP Director should be someone who can be outspoken on this issue.

Bringing Back Cabinet Level Status to the Drug Czar Will Save LivesONDCP Seal

Parents Opposed to Pot believes this position needs to be elevated to the cabinet level position it once was.  If it is reinstated as the “Drug Czar” position, it will have some moral standing working against  the scourge of drug deaths.

Attorney General Eric Holder made the bad decision to allow marijuana commercialization in Colorado and Washington in 2012.  Holder acted as if it was state’s rights issue, a big mistake. His Justice Department issued eight guidelines that states had to follow to avoid federal prosecution if they legalized pot.  Then the Justice Department did not follow its own guidelines.

President Obama’s first ONDCP Director, Gil Kerlikowske, had been the Police Chief of Seattle.  Marijuana activists thought he would be sympathetic to their cause, but he recognized the relationship between marijuana and crime.  Michael Botticelli followed Kerlikowske as ONCDP Director.  He recognized the dangers of marijuana and did not support it.

President Obama’s downgraded the role of ONDCP Director which is no longer a cabinet level position.  This re-assignment went along with a massive escalation of drug use and drug-induced deaths.   President Obama may have responded to pressure by the drug lobbyists.  Ironically, former Vice-President Joe Biden had coined the term “Drug Czar” in 1982.

Let’s put strength back into America’s resolve to end addiction and death by drugs!

Jon Daily, a rehabilitation therapist in California explains the connection between heroin and marijuana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcsp4dzLP1w&feature=youtu.be