Trying “recreational marijuana” abroad will cause big trouble. Psychiatrists reveal the consequences: it may lead to schizophrenia | Life | CTWANT

In historical records, there are records of human use of cannabis as early as thousands of years ago. Of course, cannabis also has its own special medical effects, such as treating some intractable epilepsy, increasing appetite for patients with poor constitution, etc. This has led to the so-called medical cannabis, which is prescribed to patients after a doctor carefully evaluates the necessity. Suffer from use. However, among the cannabis users, the largest proportion is actually recreational cannabis.

Hou Yuqi, a physician at the Department of Addiction Prevention and Treatment at the Songde Campus of Taipei City United Hospital, said that recreational marijuana may temporarily bring some positive feelings to users, such as happiness, relaxation, and what users call a good trip. However, in the medical field and in recent years, international research results have continuously discovered the harmful effects of long-term use of cannabis, such as impaired driving, cannabis addiction, or the development of schizophrenia. For these people, the negative effects of marijuana have far exceeded its recreational effects, but often these people fail to detect or stop losses early.

Hou Yuqi pointed out that from a medical point of view, marijuana addicts may experience the following conditions: increasing consumption, a strong craving for marijuana, difficulty in continuing their original academic or professional roles, and concerns about things other than using marijuana. No longer interested, withdrawal symptoms (such as nervousness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, headache, abdominal pain) when withdrawing from the drug, psychiatric symptoms (such as delusions), etc.

In recent years, cannabis-related issues have become popular again in Taiwan. Hamen and 420 have even become trendy slogans. Various cannabis-loving KOLs (key opinion leaders) will appear on social media, YouTube, and Podcasts. The above provides guidance to “schoolmates” or uploads documentary videos for use. On the other hand, with Thailand legalizing marijuana, more and more Taiwanese people have gone to Thailand to smoke marijuana in recent years. You can even read their experience of using it abroad on the Internet.

Hou Yuqi emphasized that when traveling abroad, you will inevitably want to try new things, but as an addiction doctor, you must still remind those “Muggles” who have never used cannabis but are ready to try it in countries where cannabis is legalized, that cannabis is addictive. It is a sexually active psychoactive substance, and studies have also found that the use of marijuana may cause mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. If users find themselves prone to addiction, please seek help. There are many designated drug addiction treatment institutions in the country, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare has also promoted the “Medical Treatment Expenses Subsidy Program for Drug Addiction Treatment Persons” to assist people in need.

Finally, Hou Yuqi would like to remind you again that Taiwan’s Drug Harm Prevention Regulations still lists marijuana as a second-level drug. Violators need to bear the corresponding legal punishment. Users should pay special attention to avoid getting into big trouble and turning into a bad trip. .

◎”CTWANT” reminds you: Say no to drugs and cherish life