#Paranoia

A new wave of scientific research challenges some of the most common beliefs about using cannabis to treat health problems such as pain, insomnia, and mental health symptoms like paranoia, highlighting important lessons for Thai readers at a time when medical marijuana access is rapidly expanding in Thailand and across Asia.

The use of cannabis as medicine has surged since Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to decriminalize cannabis plants in 2022—a move initially aimed to stimulate medical innovation and boost the economy through wellness tourism. But as ever more Thais purchase cannabis products online and at street dispensaries, fresh global research underscores that the effectiveness—and risks—of cannabis for many health problems are far from settled, with strong implications for the Thai public, patients, and caregivers (Washington Post, Medical News Today).

Amid rising global interest and legal reforms surrounding cannabis, recent research is painting a complex picture of its true effects on common health problems such as insomnia, chronic pain, and anxiety. A series of large-scale studies from Australia to the United States highlight encouraging long-term improvements in quality of life for patients with stubborn conditions, but also raise serious caution about potential mental health risks such as paranoia, psychosis, and increased risk of psychiatric disorders.