[Cannabis consumption and its psychosocial effects in a comparison of different cultures].

Cannabis consumption has been shaped by cultural and religious contexts across history. In medieval Islam, it was linked to Sufi mystical practices, and heavy use was thought to risk inducing madness or psychosis, yet social sanctions were absent. Today in Western societies, cannabis is mainly used by adolescents for relaxation, and public concern focuses on it as a gateway to other illicit drugs, while the risk of psychosis is rarely discussed. Across eras, users have reported creative insights from intoxication, translating unusual experiences into normal reality, but this creative aspect is largely overlooked in scientific research, for reasons the authors discuss.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Cannabis consumption is a social and cultural phenomenon. It has a specific place in each society, therefore psychotropic effects are judged differently. In medieval Islam cannabis consumption showed connections with religious and mystic events and was basically formed through consuming sufis. The main risk of cannabis use was especially the induction of "madness" or psychotic states in case of high dosage and high frequency of consumption. Nevertheless there were no social sanctions. Today in western civilized countries cannabis consumption is connected with relaxed activity and is mainly consumed by adolescents. The main risk is seen in the ongoing consumption of illicit drugs, since cannabis consumption is widely held as the first step for such a career. On the other hand the induction of psychotic states or a schizophrenia-like psychosis is rarely named in public discussions. At all times self-reports of cannabis-users named creative aspects of cannabis-consumption, normally seen in the conscious translation into normal reality of astonishing and formerly unknown experiences made in an intoxicated state. This aspect of cannabis use is widely disregarded in scientific research. Various reasons therefore are discussed.