Is Paranoia a side effect of marijuana or marijuana prohibition?

[HempKat]

I was thinking about getting high and the paranoia associated with it and it certainly seems somewhat justified when you see that quite a few marijuana smokers seem to heavily favor some rather extreme Conspiracy theories. If you ask around though it turns out that there are quite a few that don't favor conspiracy theories in fact we seem roughly 50/50 split on that.

Then I got to reflecting on my own feelings of paranoia that happened occasionally over the years when I would get high. In every case I could remember it was always a fear of getting caught being high or getting high though which to me, with as harsh as the penalties can be for that, seems more like a justifiable fear then paranoia which is usually seen as irrational fear.

So that got me wondering that if marijuana was truly legalized one day would that paranoia end since it was caused by the laws and not by marijuana itself? I'm inclined to say yes since I never once experienced any irrational fears while under the influence of marijuana.

Anyway I thought it might make for an interesting poll and perhaps discussion

 

[RoadRash]

I was thinking about getting high and the paranoia associated with it and it certainly seems somewhat justified when you see that quite a few marijuana smokers seem to heavily favor some rather extreme Conspiracy theories.

I would take that as a sign that they're thinking, and questioning the official US Gov. WHOPPER conspiracy theories.

I would say that most of the people posting genuinely in the conspiracy "theory" thread are actually more concerned about conspiracy fact.


I also notice that the term 'conspiracy theory' is a linguistic term, used to spray cold water whenever someone suggests that the US gov. or US business interests planned a malevolent act.

Pin the same behavior on the Chinese, for example, and you will rarely hear the term conspiracy theory.

 

[HempKat]

I would take that as a sign that they're thinking, and questioning the official US Gov. WHOPPER conspiracy theories.

I would say that most of the people posting genuinely in the conspiracy "theory" thread are actually more concerned about conspiracy fact.


I also notice that the term 'conspiracy theory' is a linguistic term, used to spray cold water whenever someone suggests that the US gov. or US business interests planned a malevolent act.

Pin the same behavior on the Chinese, for example, and you will rarely hear the term conspiracy theory.

I would prefer to stick to the topic of marijuana and paranoia, this is not a thread to debate the meaning and intent of the term conspiracy theory nor to debate whether people should believe any theory proposed or not.

I do agree there are conspiracy facts. The whole prohibition against marijuana is in my opinion a conspiracy fact. Just because the government has been guilty of conspiracies though it doesn't mean all Conspiracy theories are actually Conspiracy facts.

Conspiracy theory is a term to describe a conspiracy that is unproven. Yes some people do mean it as an insult or use it to try to get someone's view dismissed as paranoid fantasy but that doesn't mean every time someone says Conspiracy theory that they are trying to be dismissive or insulting. Sometimes it's just saying that the conspiracy in question is unproven and therefore has just as much chance of being false as it does of being true.

 

[mrcreosote]

Are you looking at me?

Why you looking at me?

 

[Arthritis_sucks]

I voted undecided because you didnt put a vote for: Only when i smoke certain sativas.

I've always said the only bad side effect of herb is jail.

 

[hunt4genetics]

Great question!

I wonder what would happen if i smoked a pure haze in a 100% legal community?

 

[stoned-trout]

I never really got paranoid.....

 

[Kiloz]

i get paranoid sometimes from smoking too much, and im pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that i started smoking early and it was very illegal and "dangerous" to do so.
If the plant had legal status and the kids were properly educated about the plant there's not much to worry about.
Of course being high might make someone paranoid more paranoid, like me

 

[hunt4genetics]

Maybe what we think of as paranoia, is really hyper awareness. One is really really aware that what they are doing is illegal. If one were to consume weed in a legal state/country, maybe that person would just become very aware of their surroundings.

I can imagine tribes of long ago, getting high then going on a hunt. You would be so in tune with the movement of the animal.

 

[mojave green]

def prohibition

 

[RetroGrow]

Well, kind of used to being a "criminal", so that isn't it for me. Now, it also depends largely on what state/country you live in. Now if I was in a Muslim country, I would be extremely paranoid. Those of you fortunate enough to be in "med" states, or "legal" states don't really have a reason to be paranoid, unless it's from the strain you are using. Now, as we all know, sativas are much more "racey" than Indicas, and can cause paranoia, or panic attacks if overindulged, in many people. Now, take edibles, and that potential for paranoia is increased, although I think most edibles are made from Indicas/hybrids. Not too many folks make edibles from Jack Herer, or other hazes/equatorial strains that take many weeks to ripen. When I first started with a vaporizer, I overdid it on occasion while vaping hazes, etc., and had some rapid heart beat/uncomfortable "events", having ingested more than I realized.
In closing, remember, it's not paranoia if they are really out to get you.

 

[Space Toker]

I voted "don't know". "Don't know?!" you may say, but I haven't been smoking much lately. Yes, I have had some paranoia when smoking, feeling like my heart is pounding and going to pop right out of my chest.... or thinking I hear sounds outside, or if I am alone thinking someone is lurking outside. But it is much rarer and milder than the paranoia I have when not on anything, when reality is what's really freaking me out. All these strange occurences on land and in air that I wouldn't even notice if smoking a good relaxing herb.

 

[LEF]

the criminal factor definitely has a big play in it

I think it has a lot to do with psychosis too

some people start to feel dirty inside, living on the margins of society

alienation

 

[Friend]

I'll put it this way, the only cannabis-related anxieties affecting me are the fears of getting busted. Other than that i'm just like any other average law abiding citizen, i have nothing to hide. I don't feel like my lifestyle makes me a criminal.

Any and all paranoia would cease to exist if i didn't constantly have to look over my shoulder every minute of every day.

 

[hunt4genetics]

Any sativa fans, from a quasi/legal part of the world care to share their experiences?

 

[Dropped Cat]

I like the narrow leaf, and I cure long time. State of mind
is a well known factor in the paranoia. I know what I know,
but if a novice smokes the Zamaldelica he's in for a ride not
soon forgotten.

There's moments of doubt, like I'll think what if I get a
call with a dire emergency to deal with.

But that can happen anytime, right? One simply cannot
be prepared for everything, so, paranoia.

 

[med_breeder]

I have not smoked a sativa in a legal zone. The sudden, sometimes shocking rush of the high can be like an experienced surfer getting hit by a tidal wave.

Does over thinking count as paranoia?

I may not think "they" are out to get me.

But on a satty I tend to review every choice I have made in life. Then I convince myself that I picked A,when I should have picked B.

 

[BlackBuds]

When I first got my license in CA I remember feeling a huge weight lifted. I could drive without constantly looking in my mirrors for Johnny dickhead. I will smoke the raciest Sativas I can find but it was the fear of getting busted all along that made me paranoid. The same with acid. When I was at a dead show and EVERYONE was trippin, I had the most comfortable, care free trips. Cops would walk right by someone selling sheets of acid and not do anything. Trip in public when no one else is? say at a grocery store?? vultures everywhere! not good, go hide.

 

[FlowerFarmer]

I can't say for sure..

But I do know I've chopped down an entire garden after one to many volcano bags.. only to regret it in the morning..

or more often.. came super close to chopping down the entire garden, only to be super relieved that I didn't the next morning once sober.


For me.. it wasn't the repercussions of getting busted or making the news as I have no moral qualms about what I do, but rather the immediate act of the bust...having armed thugs burst through my doors and terrorize my family and likely kill my dogs. It was those thoughts while in deep heavy bloom & super stoned that have caused some paranoia deep within..


So..well yea, Its the Prohibition.

 

[OGShaman]

Sorry to say, but it's definitely in the smoke. It's a property of specific strains though, and can be avoided with proper selection.