From psychoactive to psychosis - A cautious outlook on everyones favorite natural plant

What was your first introduction to weed? Not the first time you tried it. I mean the first time you ever heard about it or saw it in media.

For me, one early memory is from around fifth grade after switching to a public school in the suburbs. I remember someone wearing black socks with a green leaf pattern. I thought it was a remix of the Adidas logo. Later on is when I learned they were the weed socks everyone was wearing in the 2010s.

Who had a pair of these? (I didn't)

I still did not know what weed really was.

Another memory is even earlier in my life Family Guy” was on the TV. I was too young for the show and not allowed to watch it, but somehow it was okay this time. One night, Stewie breaks into a song about rolling up a bag of weed. I had no idea what that meant. My brother asked my grandma if she had ever tried it. She shrugged and said yes. He asked how it felt. She said " do not know" it just made me feel good. The conversation ended fast because a six year old was in the room(me). I left that moment thinking weed was bad. I did not know the word taboo yet, but that is how it felt.

Fast forward

It has been more than a decade. Opinions change. Mine did. But something else changed too. The plant itself.

The weed Stewie sang about is not the same weed people roll today.

Weed has changed.According to the American Psychological Association, typical THC levels were about 1 percent in the 1960s and 1970s. Today many vapes and pre rolls push around 30 percent THC, and dispensaries sell concentrates that can reach above 90 percent THC. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/06/marijuana-potency-policy-risk  (Prince and Conner, Behaviour Research and Therapy, Vol. 115).

You can hear this from older folks who tried it back in the day. You can hear it from celebrities too. Pete Davidson has talked about how today’s high potency products do not sit right with him and how he even experienced symptoms that felt like psychosis.

Wait, what is psychosis

A quick definition helps. Psychosis is when the line between what is real and what is not real becomes hard to tell. Common symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and very disorganized thoughts or speech. L

Research with young people suggests cannabis use can raise the risk of psychotic symptoms, and that the overlap shows up in more than one way. (West, Michelle L. et al., Psychiatric Clinics, Volume 46, Issue 4, 703 to 717.)

There are even reports of psychosis right after quitting heavy use. In some people, abrupt cannabis withdrawal seems to trigger a first episode or a relapse.

None of this means everyone who uses will develop psychosis. It does mean potency, frequency, age of first use, family history, and personal mental health can matter a lot.

So what now

First, put your own mask on before you try to help anyone else. If you are not okay, it is hard to support the people around you.

Pay attention to your early signs. If you are not sleeping, feel extra on edge, feel scared for no clear reason, start hearing or seeing things, or just feel really off, do not brush it off. That is the moment to reach out to a doctor, therapist, or someone you trust and get support.

Take care of your body and your mind. Move your body a little every day, even if it is just a walk. Drink water. Eat real food with fruits and vegetables. If a doctor has told you that you are low in iron, vitamin D, or B 12, try to follow what they suggest. None of this fixes everything, but it gives your brain a better chance.

Do one thing a day that feels good and does not involve substances. It can be very small. Reading, drawing, cleaning your room, going on a walk with a playlist, cooking something simple. The point is to have one thing that makes you feel a tiny bit proud or calm.

If you still choose to use, try to lower the risk. Stay away from super strong concentrates, especially if you already deal with anxiety or paranoia.Use a small amount and wait to see how you feel.Do not mix it with alcohol.Do not drive at all after using.If you or someone in your family has a history of psychosis or bipolar, it is worth talking to a clinician before using at all.

If you want to quit, make a real plan. Stopping suddenly can feel rough if you have been using every day. It can help to slowly cut back, tell a friend or professional what you are doing, and have a plan for sleep, snacks, and what you will do when cravings hit during those first few days.

The point is not to shame anyone. It is just to be more honest about what this new version of weed can do to us and to give ourselves a better chance to stay grounded in reality.

Why share this now

Because culture shapes imagination. My early images of weed came from socks and sitcoms. Today the images come from polished dispensaries, pastel gummies, and ninety plus percent concentrates. It is not the same landscape. Information and care need to evolve with it.

as always... Consume Less!!... Create More!