I’ve uploaded a fascinating video clip where a TV presenter is intravenously injected with the active ingredients of cannabis as part of the BBC documentary Should I Smoke Dope?
It’s part of an experiment to compare the effects of intravenous THC and cannabidiol combined, with intravenous THC on its own. The mix of both gives the presenter a pleasant giggly high while THC on its own causes her to become desolate and paranoid.
Both are these are known to be key psychoactive ingredients in cannabis but the video is interesting as it is a reflection of the fact that THC has been most linked to an increased risk of developing psychosis while cannabidiol seems to have an antipsychotic effect.
As we discussed earlier this year, one study found that cannabis smokers who had higher levels of cannabidiol in hair samples had the lowest levels of psychosis-like experiences.
Another study we covered reported that, at least in the UK, ‘skunk’ has virtually no cannabidiol, while hash, although variable, was more likely to contain high cannabidiol levels.
And if you’re after a more balanced view on the link between cannabis and psychosis than you normally get in the media, I’ve also uploaded a clip from the same programme where psychiatrist and leading cannabis researcher Robin Murray discusses the findings from the latest research.
If you want to check out the whole documentary, where BBC reporter Nicky Taylor gets stoned for 30 days in a row while investigating the science, culture and legal status of cannabis, it’s available as a torrent or in six parts on YouTube (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
Link to video of IV cannabidiol and THC experiment.
Link to video of psychiatrist Robin Murray on cannabis and psychosis.
Mind Hacks 