Fourteen-year-old Elysse had just started vaping cannabis. It was not only easy to hide, but gave a sense of euphoria surpassing most of the senses of daily life- those made from achievements, milestones, and her usual life were easily overturned with this new experience.
In the words of Elysse in an interview with the New York Times, “It was insane. Insane euphoria. Everything was moving slowly. I got super hungry. Everything was hilarious.”
As her addiction progressed, however, her experiences became more disturbing. It would make her feel more anxious, or sad. Starting in 2020, she had repetitive bouts of vomiting. “I felt like my body was levitating,” said Elysse.
It wasn’t until 2021, when the illness had provoked several visits to the ER, was she diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome by a gastroenterologist. The oils and waxes that she had been buying were about 90 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which was the “psychoactive component in marijuana.” Because many people she knew had been using the drug, it created a false illusion of safety.
While the levels of THC, which are extracted from cannabis to make different products, cannabidiol (CBD) levels, the levels of the “nonintoxicating compound tied to relief from seizures, pain, anxiety, and inflammation,” have decreased. The changes have led to higher rates of sickness from teens, as well as making cannabis much more addictive.
In truth, the increase in THC in marijuana products had potentially harmful effects, especially for the younger users of marijuana. In addition to the vomiting and addiction, for heavy users, it could cause psychosis and lead to a change in brain anatomy, poor memory, as well as an increased likelihood of depression.
Now, the risks are ever-increasing. According to Dr. Sharon Levy, the director of the Adolescent Substance use and Addiction Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, “The younger you are, the more vulnerable your brain is to developing these problems.” When asked about the dangers of high potency cannabis products, Dr. Levy responded, “I think that’s something we’re all struggling with as a community. How do we get this information to parents and kids fast enough?”
Article: Teens Are Getting Sick From Products With High THC Levels – The New York Times.pdf
In the words of Elysse in an interview with the New York Times, “It was insane. Insane euphoria. Everything was moving slowly. I got super hungry. Everything was hilarious.”
As her addiction progressed, however, her experiences became more disturbing. It would make her feel more anxious, or sad. Starting in 2020, she had repetitive bouts of vomiting. “I felt like my body was levitating,” said Elysse.
It wasn’t until 2021, when the illness had provoked several visits to the ER, was she diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome by a gastroenterologist. The oils and waxes that she had been buying were about 90 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which was the “psychoactive component in marijuana.” Because many people she knew had been using the drug, it created a false illusion of safety.
While the levels of THC, which are extracted from cannabis to make different products, cannabidiol (CBD) levels, the levels of the “nonintoxicating compound tied to relief from seizures, pain, anxiety, and inflammation,” have decreased. The changes have led to higher rates of sickness from teens, as well as making cannabis much more addictive.
In truth, the increase in THC in marijuana products had potentially harmful effects, especially for the younger users of marijuana. In addition to the vomiting and addiction, for heavy users, it could cause psychosis and lead to a change in brain anatomy, poor memory, as well as an increased likelihood of depression.
Now, the risks are ever-increasing. According to Dr. Sharon Levy, the director of the Adolescent Substance use and Addiction Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, “The younger you are, the more vulnerable your brain is to developing these problems.” When asked about the dangers of high potency cannabis products, Dr. Levy responded, “I think that’s something we’re all struggling with as a community. How do we get this information to parents and kids fast enough?”
Article: Teens Are Getting Sick From Products With High THC Levels – The New York Times.pdf
