| Page 2 of 2 < |
Doctors: Pot Triggers Psychotic Symptoms
"One of the great puzzles is why people with schizophrenia keep taking the stuff when it makes the paranoia worse," said Dr. Robin Murray, a professor of psychiatry at King's College.
Experts theorized that schizophrenics may mistakenly judge the drug's pleasurable effects to outweigh any negatives.
  New Hampshire state police released this 2006 file photo of marijuana plants growing in the basement of a home in Pembroke, N.H. British doctors say new findings on marijuana's damaging effect on the brain show the drug triggers temporary psychotic symptoms in some people, including hallucinations and paranoid delusions. (AP Photo) (AP) REPORTER'S QUERY The Washington Post is looking for challenging medical cases--ones that have been resolved but in which the patient's symptoms were puzzling to doctors or suggested an immediate diagnosis that would have been wrong.
Patients must have medical records documenting their care, and must be willing to share them with a reporter. Please include day and evening phone numbers and an e-mail address. E-mail medicalmysteries@washpost.com with your name and details. Please put "Medical Mystery" in the subject line.In Depth
Swine FluHealth authorities race to unravel the many mysteries about the ominous new swine flu spreading around the world.
 
Your Co-Workers Like McSteamy?
We can help you find the right work environment with competitive benefits. Nursing, Allied Health: Get a New Job
|
Understanding how marijuana affects the brain may ultimately lead experts to a better understanding of mental health in general.
"We don't know the basis of paranoia or anxiety," said McGuire.
"It is possible that we could use cannabis in controlled studies to understand psychoses better," he said. McGuire theorized that could one day lead to specific drugs targeting the responsible regions of the brain.
___
On the Net:
