Should i smoke pot bbc

On a daily basis, depending on the strength of cannabis she had smoked, she either spiralled into depression and paranoia or simply passed out and had to go to bed. I'd often go to bed at 8pm and be totally crashed out until morning. I felt constantly groggy and unmotivated, I couldn't wake up in the mornings and I'd find myself longing to go back to bed all day. I thrive on multi-tasking and getting through my daily 'To do' lists.

Yet, with cannabis in my life, I reached the end of every day feeling frustrated that I'd achieved so little. There is no way I could carry on with the life I lead now, looking after my children, at the same time as smoking cannabis, even if it was just occasionally. If Nicky's mind seemed to be getting smaller, her waistline was expanding. Over the course of her investigation, she gained half a stone, due to the drug's tendency to bring on cravings for junk food.

I woke up every morning with puffy eyes and sallow skin. It was as though the drug had destroyed my ability to refresh my body as well as my mind. Once back in the UK, Nicky visited the Institute of Psychiatry, where, for the final stage of her investigation, she took part in a unique experiment.

Scientists there are interested in the effect of the ratio between the drug's two main components - THC and cannabanoid - and the levels of psychosis induced in the user, and are undertaking trials in which volunteers are injected with both pure THC and THC mixed with cannabanoid. Nicky agreed to do this, too, and following each injection, she underwent a series of psychological tests designed to assess her state of mind.

Even though injecting the drug means it reaches the bloodstream more quickly than if it's smoked, the results were shocking. However, Nicky's experience with pure THC - more akin to the strong "skunk" favoured by cannabis users today - was far more sinister.

I was increasingly agitated and convinced they were trying to trick me in everything they said to me. Most alarmingly, she also took a test, in the form of a series of questions about her state of mind, in which a score of four points and above indicates significant psychosis of the level seen in people with schizophrenia - she scored With her investigation now behind her, Nicky is adamant that she will never touch cannabis again. Thankfully, she appears not to have experienced any long-term effects from using the drug.

No comments have so far been submitted. We need more public health messaging to counter the industry message which is: it cures everything and has no downside! We need it not just for CHS, but for memory problems, concentration problems.

Public health is in a defensive crouch about cannabis, compared to tobacco and alcohol, in part because they have a powerful industry on the other side of the table.

This is really in the hands of our political leadership and regulators. Will we learn the lesson of alcohol and tobacco? Are we going to treat this as a cash cow and let industry sell as much as it wants? Or will we say: wait a minute, if we take all the controls off, you get a lot of suffering. Everyone in public health needs to be engaged and not fall for the line that cannabis is unlike any other drug in history.

Alison van Diggelen: Katie Nava has learned the hard way about the risks associated with cannabis use…. Alison van Diggelen: Giving anti-nausea drugs and replacing the minerals lost during vomiting with electrolytes are central to treating CHS. Antipsychotic drugs like Ativan and haloperidol can also help. But the only proven way to cure CHS is to stop cannabis use entirely. Alison van Diggelen: Nava stopped two years ago, and she even avoids foods like black pepper, truffle oils, and broccoli that contain cannabinoids.

Helping run a Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Recovery support group on Facebook keeps her busy. Founded three years ago, the support group now has over 12, members from around the world. It helped me stay sober. It was my exchange. I gave up weed and went to my Facebook page.

Alison van Diggelen: What else does Nurse Nava think should be done to raise awareness? Please check out more health and mental health stories on Fresh Dialogues.

While these cannabis oils are not recreational drugs, they're not medically licensed treatments either. A cross-party report found good evidence that cannabis treatments can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting, particularly in the context of chemotherapy, and anxiety.

It also found moderate evidence it could help with sleep disorders, poor appetite, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinson's symptoms. Now, a government review will look at the evidence and make its own recommendations on which cannabis-based medicines might offer real medical and therapeutic benefits to patients.

But regardless of what they find, Mr Javid added: "This step is in no way a first step to the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. Hague's 'legalise cannabis' call rejected. Cannabis oil boy discharged. MP 'wonders if cannabis may have helped son'. Image source, Getty Images. What do experts think about the health risks of recreational cannabis use? Does smoking cannabis cause depression?

Is cannabis addictive? Hague's 'legalise cannabis' call rejected Cannabis addiction 'rises among over 40s'. The pink colour of salmon comes from its rich levels of a protective antioxidant called astaxanthin.

This compound has been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease by improving cholesterol and working in combination with the omega-3 fatty acids to protect the brain and nervous system.

Salmon is a good source of protein, which is important for maintaining bone health , preventing muscle loss and helping the body heal and repair. Its rich astaxanthin content may help maintain skin elasticity , reduce the signs of aging and protect the skin against UV damage. This is because oily fish is nutrient-dense and supplies beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

However, oily fish like salmon may contain low levels of pollutants, such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. For this reason, certain groups are advised to minimise the amount of oily fish they eat. The following groups are advised to limit their consumption of oily fish to two portions per week:. Read more from the NHS on how much fish is safe to eat.

Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector.