{"id":72903,"date":"2025-08-17T08:43:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-17T08:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/72903\/"},"modified":"2025-08-17T08:43:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T08:43:08","slug":"surge-in-cannabis-induced-psychotic-episodes-across-the-uk-as-potency-of-strains-has-increased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/72903\/","title":{"rendered":"Surge in cannabis-induced psychotic episodes across the UK as potency of strains has increased"},"content":{"rendered":"

By MEIKE LEONARD, HEALTH REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 20:29 EDT, 16 August 2025 | Updated: 20:57 EDT, 16 August 2025 <\/p>\n

Cannabis-induced psychosis is becoming increasingly common across the UK, a leading psychiatrist has warned.<\/a><\/p>\n

The widely used class B drug \u2013 also known as marijuana or weed \u2013 can cause dependency, and, in the year to March 2024, 2.3million people in the UK reported using it.<\/a><\/p>\n

But while regular use has more than halved in the past two decades, the number of cannabis-induced psychosis episodes has spiked as varieties on sale have become stronger.<\/p>\n

Those experiencing a psychotic episode commonly have symptoms such as hallucinations, dissociation or unusual changes in behaviour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And while these resolve in most cases, side-effects can last for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Studies show cannabis can even trigger schizophrenia \u2013 a chronic mental health condition characterised by psychotic episodes where individuals lose touch with reality, experiencing delusions and hallucinations.<\/p>\n

Dr Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory rehabilitation centre, warns of a deepening public health issue, stemming from easy online access to highly potent forms of the drug known as ‘skunk’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Made from unpollinated cannabis plants which naturally contain higher levels of THC \u2013 the main psychoactive ingredient \u2013 skunk greatly increases the risk of paranoia and hallucinations.<\/p>\n

\"Cannabis-induced <\/p>\n

Cannabis-induced psychosis is becoming increasingly common across the UK, a leading psychiatrist has warned<\/p>\n

‘There has been a visible rise in the number of people needing intensive support for psychosis as a result of cannabis use,’ said Dr Campbell.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘I don’t think this is surprising given how easy skunk is to buy. What begins with smoking a few ‘joints’ and feeling a bit paranoid can easily escalate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over time people can reach a psychotic state which won’t go away, even if they stop smoking \u2013 they can become very depressed or suicidal.’<\/p>\n

It comes after the London Drugs Commission released a report earlier this year calling for more services to tackle cannabis addiction.<\/p>\n

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