Crazy Cannabis: Marijuana Linked to Mania

Researchers from the University of Warwick have linked cannabis to mania symptoms, which include long periods of elatedness, sleeping problems, hyperactivity, and aggression. It also includes extreme cases of having delusions and hearing strange voices, according to rt.com.

Dr Steven Marwaha, author of a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, added: "Previously it has been unclear whether cannabis use predates manic episodes." He agreed that researchers had tried to establish whether cannabis could lead to an increase in mania symptoms or seizures in those who had or did not have existing bipolar disorder. They investigated 2,391 subjects who exhibited mania symptoms.

"The observed tendency for cannabis use is to precede or coincide with, rather than follow, mania symptoms, and the more specific association between cannabis use and new onset manic symptoms, suggests potential causal influences from cannabis use to the development of mania. It is a significant link," he said.

"Our review suggests that cannabis use is a major clinical problem occurring early in the evolving course of bipolar disorder."

He pointed out that the use of cannabis made mania symptoms worse in people who had earlier been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

As cannabis is the most prevalent drug that is used by children under 18 years, when the brain's growth is at an important point, Marwaha says that using cannabis may lead to some manic seizures later in life.

The drug, medical marijuana, which is legal in 23 US states, can be employed to treat illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

Earlier, a study that was released in the early part of this month found that cannabis can also treat depression that is triggered by chronic stress. The examining team, that was based in the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions in New York, looked into endocannabinoids, or chemicals present in the brain, that are just like substances that have been found in cannabis.

Senior researcher Samir Haj-Dahmane added: "Chronic stress is one of the major causes of depression. Using compounds derived from cannabis - marijuana - to restore normal endocannabinoid function could potentially help stabilize moods and ease depression."