Despite the widespread legalization and acceptance of marijuana, cannabis is dangerous to health as there are significant mental health risks associated with its use. Particularly concerning is the rise in marijuana use among young people, potentially harming the developing brain and increasing the risk of schizophrenia. Adults are not exempt, with links found between marijuana use and depression, social anxiety, and even long-lasting mental disorders, including schizophrenia.
The marketing and normalization of marijuana can give the impression that it is safe, but the reality is different. The history of marijuana use is rooted in occult practices, and it often serves as a gateway to more potent drugs and harmful lifestyles. It’s crucial to understand the potential consequences, especially as genetic factors can influence individual responses to marijuana. For those using cannabis for pain management, it’s recommended that you consider dietary changes and improving gut health.
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In this episode, I discuss:
- Marijuana use, especially among youth, is linked to significant mental health issues, including schizophrenia and depression
- The marketing and normalization of marijuana often mislead people into thinking it is safe, which has led to increased use, especially among young people
- The history of marijuana use has troubling roots in occult practices and is often a gateway to more potent drugs and harmful lifestyles
- Individual responses to marijuana can be influenced by genetic factors, which can lead to adverse effects even in occasional users
- Despite the arguments for legalization, the negative impacts of marijuana on mental health have only increased since its legalization
Listen to the podcast here:
Links:
- The Association Between Cannabis Use and Schizophrenia: Causative or Curative? A Systematic Review
- Marijuana and Youth: The Impact of Marijuana Use on Teen Health and Wellbeing
- Cannabis consumption and psychosis or schizophrenia development
- Psychotic patients who used cannabis frequently before illness onset have a higher genetic predisposition to schizophrenia than those who did not
- Episode 33: Autoimmune Disease And The Gut Microbiome With Kiran Krishnan
- Could Oxalate Toxicity Be the Cause of Your Health Issues?
The Rise of Legalized Cannabis: A Historical Perspective
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Since then, the medical use of cannabis has been legalized in 38 states and three territories, including the District of Columbia. Currently, 24 states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
Sales for recreational cannabis alone totaled $216 million last year, an increase of 36% over 2022. The total would have been higher had the pandemic not impacted the growing cannabis market.
The Evolution of Cannabis Products: From Caramels to Topicals
Why is there so much confusion about the health risks of marijuana? Some of this confusion is due to the rapid change in the industry. Cannabis products are not the same as they were fifty years ago. Like much of our food industry, cannabis growth is fueled by money. Scientists and growers are always looking for new strains. Since legalization, cannabis has become much more potent and palatable to more people.
During my high school years, I occasionally skipped school to smoke pot with friends. Sometimes, we would make brownies. That was all that was available to us. Today’s choices include concentrates, edibles, vape products, topicals, and oral and transdermal products. An ad for cannabis caramels states, “Slow down and melt the stress of the day away with Sea Salt Caramels, infused with a unique indica suite of terpenes. Lovers of sweet and salty will love this edible; the delicate balance is a happy dance for the taste buds. And the best part? Fans of this edible say that relaxation, sometimes drowsiness, and especially pain relief are just a chew away.”
They go on to state, “Smooth and buttery caramels give you something to chew on to help get your groove on. A hint of sea salt combined with premium cannabis oil effortlessly dissolves on your palate, making your taste buds celebrate. These aren’t the caramels from old family recipes, but they taste like them! Each Caramel is a rich, delectable treat and promises a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sensation, and a consistent dose of 10mg THC.”
The marketing of these products has made them irresistible to people of all ages and backgrounds. However, despite the enticing packaging, there is a hidden concern you should be aware of.
Like many things today, the normalization of this potent psychoactive drug raises concerns about its recreational and medical use. Legalization doesn’t automatically equate to safety, a point I tackled in my previous episode discussing antidepressants and birth control. In fact, legalizing marijuana can make it more dangerous by creating a false sense of security, particularly among young children and teenagers. This misperception has led to a surge in its use among these age groups.
Nobody knows how cannabis products will evolve in the next 10 to 20 years.
The Dark Side of Cannabis and Its Health Dangers
While I’m not a supporter of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), I must commend their acknowledgement of marijuana’s harmful effects on the mental health and well-being of young individuals. They report, “In 2022, 30.7% of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past year, and 6.3% reported using marijuana daily in the past 30 days. Compared to teens who do not use marijuana, teens who use marijuana may be less likely to graduate from high school or college.”
Furthermore, they point out that marijuana use is associated with increased risk for polysubstance use, which involves the use of multiple substances, often simultaneously, such as consuming alcohol or opioids along with marijuana. This behavior can lead to greater impairment and physical harm than using either one alone. In addition, it can result in impaired driving due to marijuana’s effects on reaction time, coordination, and concentration.
While in college, I was involved in a car accident. If it had happened just a few seconds earlier, the individual who hit me would have struck my driver’s side door, potentially causing severe injuries. The driver fled the scene, but a thoughtful couple who witnessed the accident managed to get his license plate number. I later discovered that he had been driving his father’s car under the influence of marijuana.
A Disturbing Trend is Emerging with Young People and Cannabis
My primary concern, which prompted this episode, is the clinical observation of increased schizophrenia rates in young individuals due to chronic marijuana use. The link between marijuana and schizophrenia is particularly strong in those who begin using marijuana frequently at an early age. This dangerous trend is consistently observed in both male and female clients.
Research continues to indicate that teenage marijuana use is harmful to the brain, which actively develops and continues to do so until around age 25. Regular marijuana users are reported to be up to six times more likely to develop this condition. Even low-level use is associated with increased apathy and lack of initiative, a common issue among today’s youth.
Marijuana and Mental Health: Exploring the Effects on Adults
Research has shown that marijuana use in adults is associated with depression and social anxiety. Like teenagers, adults who use marijuana are more likely to experience temporary psychosis, which can involve hallucinations, confusion about reality, and paranoia. They are also at risk of developing persistent mental disorders, including schizophrenia. Moreover, research suggests that long-term use may heighten the risk of dementia, memory issues, and a decrease in IQ.
While I understand that many of you may have experienced positive medical benefits from marijuana, I urge you to keep an open mind and reconsider your stance after hearing the information I’m about to share.
The Occult History of Marijuana Use
It’s important to consider the whole context when asking, “Is cannabis dangerous?”
The history of marijuana use is long and sordid. It is rooted in the occult and was used extensively in satanic ritualistic practices by English occultist Aleister Crowley, whose writings heavily influenced the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison of The Doors, and many other popular musicians who also died young from drug overdoses. Crowley’s philosophy, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law,” was later adopted by defunct Harvard professor Timothy Leary, an advocate for psychedelic drugs (especially for young people), and spread like wildfire into what is now known as the 1960s free-love movement. It has since permeated popular culture and governmental policy, especially in the field of psychiatry. Both Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison spoke openly about how their marijuana use helped connect them to the demonic world in their songwriting, and it’s no secret they were very tortured souls.
The packaging and marketing of your cannabis caramels, no matter how attractive or clever, makes no difference. The fact remains that marijuana is a gateway drug. Crowley himself was a heroin addict for most of his life and had an unusually high number of unexplained deaths occur in those around him. It has been said that during his final time on earth, he had to take eight times the lethal heroin dose just to get by. His satanic lifestyle and books tell us a lot about the kind of individual he was. I cannot tell you how many parents have shared with me how heartbreaking it is to see their child suffer from this debilitating addiction that often leads them to other, more potent drugs, into the occult and new age practices (which are just another form of occultism), and as I shared, eventual psychosis.
Spiritual Warfare and The Role of Cannabis
We are living in an era of intense spiritual warfare, tragically characterized by a direct assault on our children. Cannabis, in its essence, represents “Pharmakeia,” a Greek term signifying poisoning, sorcery, and magical arts. Consequently, it can expose you to the demonic world in ways you might not anticipate. Remember, Satan comes as an angel of light. He is the ultimate liar and deceiver and is a very clever counterfeit to God. Don’t overlook this danger.
Genetics and Biochemistry Are Major Factors in Marijuana Response
Like every aspect of health, our biochemical and genetic makeup significantly affect our response to marijuana. Some of us carry dormant genes that harmful chemicals in cannabis can trigger, leading to adverse effects even in occasional users. Here at Eat for Life, we’ve seen an increase in cannabis-related issues, including symptoms of schizophrenia in young males (and even females) and cognitive impairment in older, long-term users. That’s why some friends who use marijuana might come away with light symptoms while you have very negative experiences.
Pain Management with Cannabis: An Alternative Approach
While cannabis has been shown to manage pain, it shouldn’t be your first choice of treatment. Like medications, the side effects are just too dangerous to ignore.
Instead, if you’re using cannabis products for pain management, consider examining your diet and the health of your gut microbiome. Certain strains of pathogenic microbes often underlie autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Hashimoto’s disease. A low oxalate diet can be beneficial, especially when combined with addressing gut infections and nutrient deficiencies.
The Legalization Debate: A Look at the Data
While I understand the arguments for legalization, the data indicates that mental health issues have risen since cannabis became legal. Legalization doesn’t eliminate the dangers of marijuana, especially for young people. It’s important to note that despite the legality of alcohol and tobacco, they still lead to millions of deaths and detrimental societal impacts each year. As marijuana use becomes more prevalent, we must consider these potential ramifications for the well-being of future generations.
Thanks for being with me today. I pray this episode has blessed you richly.
I believe sharing is caring, so I have a favor to ask. If my show is helpful to you, please share this podcast and consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It is through sharing that we create community, eliminate guilt and shame, and bring about healing. Thank you in advance for taking three minutes out of your day to support my show so others can find me.
