What is CIP, Cannabis Induced-Psychosis?
CIP, cannabis-induced psychosis, is an episode in which a person experiences a loss of connection with reality induced by THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive chemical in the cannabis plant.
What are the symptoms of CIP?
Symptoms can be mild or severe and occur for a few minutes or years.
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations (predominantly auditory)
- Delusions
- Grandiosity
- Irritability
- Anxiety and agitation
- Depersonalization (detachment from self or a sense of things not being real)
- Disorganized thinking, speech behavior
- Racing thoughts
- Obsessive ideation
What increases the risk of someone developing CIP?
- Use by people under the age of 25 — the earlier the age of use, the higher the risk.
- frequency of use — greater than once a month
- Use of products that contain 10 mg of THC
Is it safe to use lower-potency THC products?
There are no established guidelines on how much THC is safe to consume because THC is a fat-soluble drug that can accumulate in the body, including the brain, and lead to mental and physical illnesses.
Can CIP lead to a schizophrenia diagnosis?
Out of all the drugs that can induce psychosis, cannabis results in the highest conversion rate from temporary psychotic symptoms to a chronic psychotic disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Drug Conversion Rate from acute to chronic psychosis:
Cannabis 47%
Amphetamine 32%
Hallucinogens 28%
Opioids 21%
Is it possible for adults to use cannabis products and not develop CIP?
THC is destructive to critical neuronal pathways in the developing brain. People under the age of 25 are more at risk for CIP, but adults are not immune.
Is it possible for adults to use cannabis products and not develop CIP?
Adults are not immune to developing CIP. More adults are reporting psychotic experiences after using cannabis. This data on CIP is not tracked efficiently in the United States.
Do people who have a genetic predisposition only develop CIP?
Heavy cannabis use and genetic risk for schizophrenia independently contribute to the likelihood of developing psychosis.
Daily use of high-potency cannabis showed the strongest link to psychosis risk, regardless of genetic predisposition.
Why is CIP not better understood by the medical community?
The lack of education and pro-cannabis ad campaigns have spread misinformation about the risks of using cannabis.
Will I develop CIP if I use marijuana a few times a week or a month?
The susceptibility to developing CIP is unpredictable. Some experience symptoms after using THC only one time.
Is there a cure for CIP?
No, there is no cure for CIP, but the brain can heal if THC use is ceased. Stabilization and recovery are possible. We recommend that the person experiencing CIP and the family members seek professional help and attend support meetings as soon as possible.
Is CIP common?
CIP is becoming increasingly more common due to increased accessibility to state-sanctioned potent cannabis products, including hemp products (dabs), which are now more accessible.
Aerisolizede consumption (vapes) provides fast hits of high-concentrated THC to the brain, which has created a public health crisis and can have severe consequences, including loss of life.
The data on CIP needs to be tracked correctly in the USA.
Can CIP increase the risk of suicide?
