Understanding Depersonalization From Cannabis: Symptoms, Causes & Help

As many as 2% of people nationwide may struggle with depersonalization disorder. Depersonalization is characterized by feeling disconnected from your own thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. While there’s no definitive cause of the condition, and the symptoms can be sort of hard to describe, some experts believe that marijuana use and other hallucinogenic drugs may cause depersonalization to develop.

While it’s not clear how exactly marijuana might lead to depersonalization disorder, some theories suggest that the drug’s effects on the brain and the psychoactive ingredient THC can lead to episodes of depersonalization. In addition, Marijuana can also worsen anxiety disorders, which often co-occur with depersonalization disorder.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of depersonalization, it’s important to seek professional help. Therapists who specialize in treating anxiety and other mental health conditions can help you manage your symptoms and find relief.

What is Depersonalization Disorder?

Of all mental health disorders, perhaps none is more confusing than depersonalization. Depersonalization disorder (DPD) is characterized by persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization. People with DPD feel detached from their own thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. They may feel as if they are watching themselves from outside their bodies, or as if they are living in a dream.

Depersonalization symptoms might be confused with derealization, which is characterized by feeling detached from your surroundings. While both disorders can cause a sense of detachment, people with depersonalization disorder focus on themselves rather than their surroundings. Derealization from weed, on the other hand, might make you feel as if your reality is distorted, or your surroundings are unreal.

Depersonalization symptoms often focus on the body, and can include:

• Feelings of disconnectedness from your thoughts
• Feelings of disconnectedness from your emotions
• Physical sensations that feel unreal or detached (e.g., feeling like you’re floating)

These symptoms can be extremely distressing and make it difficult to function in day-to-day life. Depersonalization disorder is relatively rare, affecting an estimated 2% of the population. However, just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it’s not real or valid. If you’re struggling with depersonalization from weed or derealization from weed, it’s important to seek professional help.

What Causes Depersonalization Disorder?

There is no known definitive cause for depersonalization disorder. However, some experts believe that past severe traumatic events might contribute to its development.

Traumatic events can include:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Witnessing violence
• Being in a car accident
• Experiencing a natural disaster
• Experiencing combat (such as being in a war zone)

Any of these events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often comorbid with depersonalization disorder. In addition, people who haveAny of these events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often comorbid with depersonalization disorder. In addition, people who have PTSD are more likely to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs such as cannabis. Unfortunately, cannabis use can worsen anxiety and lead to additional episodes of weed depersonalization.

It’s also worth noting that cannabis use might not directly cause depersonalization disorder, but it can certainly trigger symptoms in people who are already predisposed to the condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Cannabis-Induced Depersonalization

Depersonalization from weed can lead to the symptoms of general depersonalization, along with symptoms related to marijuana use. These symptoms can cause significant distress or dysfunction.

Psychological and emotional signs

• Feeling emotionally numb or unable to connect with your feelings after using weed 
• Sudden episodes of feeling detached from yourself, as if you’re watching your life happen from the outside
• Intense anxiety, fear, or panic during or after cannabis use

Causes and Risk Factors

Cannabis does not affect everyone the same way. For some people, occasional use triggers the onset of minimal symptoms, while for others, it can trigger intense depersonalization from weed. Understanding the causes of depersonalization from weed and key cannabis risk factors can help you make informed choices.

Primary causes 

• High-Potency THC: Using high-dose or high-potency cannabis can overwhelm the brain, leading to acute dissociative symptoms. 
• Acute stress/trauma: Using marijuana while in a state of high distress or following exposure to trauma can trigger a mental breakdown, resulting in detachment. 
• Anxiety/panic attacks: Anxiety/Panic attacks trigger a sense of detachment as a defense mechanism to counter a fear of losing control, which can lead to depersonalization. 
• Sudden withdrawal: Discontinuing regular, heavy cannabis use can sometimes trigger withdrawal. 

Risk factors 

Risk factors for weed depersonalization include: 

• High dosage: Using high-THC cannabis, which can cause overwhelming psychoactive effects. 
• Pre-existing mental health concerns: Individuals with a history of anxiety disorders, PTSD, and panic attacks are at higher risk. 
• Age: Adolescents and young adults are more prone to weed depersonalization. 
• Acute stress/trauma: Using marijuana while under significant stress, or after experiencing trauma. 
• Frequency: Frequent or chronic use.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Effects

Short-term Marijuana Effects 

Not all episodes of weed depersonalization are permanent. Some people experience short‑lived symptoms, while others notice that persistent depersonalization continues long after they stop using cannabis.

Shortly after using weed, especially with high doses of THC, you may experience:

• Distorted perception of time and space 
• Short bursts of derealization from weed, where your environment feels foggy or unreal 
• Acute panic or anxiety that triggers depersonalization 
• Short‑term memory impairment

These short-term effects may fade gradually as the drug leaves your body. 

Long-term Marijuana Effects 

Long-term effects of using weed include: 

• Respiratory problems, including chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and excess phlegm production. 
• Increased risk of heart attack 
• Permanent cognitive impairment 
• Impairment of the immune system 
• Fertility issues and pregnancy risks 
• Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety 
• Inflammation of the throat and lungs, eventually leading to cancer

How Cannabis Worsens Psychiatric Disorders?

While cannabis use can help relieve symptoms of anxiety or depersonalization, it can also worsen anxiety and other mental health conditions.

Cannabis use can lead to:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Psychotic symptoms
• Hallucinations
• Delusions

In addition, people who have cannabis use disorder (CUD) are more likely to experience psychiatric symptoms, including depersonalization from weed. Cannabis use disorder is a real and legitimate diagnosis. It’s characterized by a pattern of problematic cannabis use that leads to significant impairment or distress.

If you’re struggling with CUD, it’s important to seek professional help. Treatment for CUD typically includes some combination of therapy, support groups, and medication.

Anxiety and Cannabis

Cannabis can worsen anxiety in people who have a sensitivity to THC or who use high-potency cannabis. Cannabis use can also lead to the development of anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.

People who have anxiety disorders are more likely to experience symptoms of depersonalization. To understand why, it’s important to understand how anxiety and depersonalization are linked.

Anxiety is characterized by a feeling of worry, tension, or fear. It can be so overwhelming that it interferes with your ability to function in daily life. When you have anxiety, you might avoid situations that make you feel anxious. This avoidance can lead to social isolation and problems at work or school.

Depersonalization is a symptom of anxiety that can make you feel detached from your body and the world around you. You might feel like you’re watching yourself from outside your body or like you’re in a dream. Depersonalization can be so severe that it leads to dissociative disorder, which is a more extreme form of this disorder.

When people disassociate or experience depersonalization, it is a defense mechanism that can protect against further psychological distress. In other words, it’s your brain’s way of coping with anxiety and the heightened fear you experience during a traumatic event or panic attack. In fact, many people who suffer from panic attacks might feel like they’re “losing control” or “going crazy.” This feeling is often caused by depersonalization.

Unfortunately, depersonalization can become a problem in its own right. When you’re constantly feeling detached from yourself and the world around you, it can be difficult to function in daily life. You might have trouble concentrating at work or school, and you might avoid social situations. The more you avoid, the more isolated you become. This isolation can lead to further anxiety and depersonalization from weed or other triggers.

How to Get Help for Depersonalization Disorder

If you think you might have depersonalization disorder, or you’re noticing signs of depersonalization from weed, it’s important to seek professional help. The condition can be difficult to live with, but treatment can make a big difference.

Treatment for depersonalization disorder typically includes the following.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment for depersonalization disorder. Psychotherapy can help you understand your condition and learn how to manage your symptoms. A popular type of psychotherapy that can help you manage depersonalization from weed is CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy can help you identify and change the thought patterns that contribute to your depersonalization.

Depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have, psychotherapy might also include exposure therapy. Exposure therapy can help you confront your fears and learn how to manage your anxiety using coping skills.

Medication

While there is no specific medication for depersonalization disorder, medication can be used to treat the anxiety or depression that might be contributing to it. Medications that are commonly used to treat anxiety might also help with depersonalization. These medications include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

Self-care

In addition to professional treatment, here are some self-care tips that might help: 

• Get regular exercise to reduce stress and improve your mood.
• Get enough sleep, as sleep deprivation can worsen anxiety and depression.
• Eat a healthy diet to support overall mental and physical health.
• Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.
• Limit your use of alcohol and drugs, including cannabis.
• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine can make anxiety worse.
• Connect with others. Isolation can make weed depersonalization worse. Connecting with friends and family can help you feel supported.

Substance Abuse Treatment

If you’re struggling with substance abuse, treatment can help you manage depersonalization. It can also help you avoid relapse and live a sober, healthy life without needing cannabis to help you cope.

Substance abuse treatment typically includes support groups, mental health treatment, and outpatient therapy, if necessary. You may experience some amount of withdrawal when you stop using cannabis. Treatment can help you manage withdrawal and avoid relapse, especially if you have experienced weed depersonalization episodes in the past.

Get Help for Depersonalization At Clear Behavioral Health

If you or someone you know is struggling with depersonalization from weed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Depersonalization can be debilitating, so it’s best to seek help from mental health experts. At Clear Behavioral Health, we’re dedicated to helping people struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. We offer a variety of treatment options, including depression and anxiety treatment, outpatient treatment, and more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one recover from weed depersonalization disorder.