American College of Orgonomy - Marijuana Use By Adolescents

There are several studies investigating the relationship between use of marijuana and schizophrenia. Comparing cannabis-abusing patients to non-users, significantly earlier and more frequent psychotic relapses occurred in the abusing group (43). This association became even stronger when mild and heavy cannabis abuse were distinguished. In all but one patient, cannabis abuse preceded the onset of the first psychotic symptoms by at least one year. The authors concluded that cannabis abuse, and particularly heavy abuse, can be considered a stressor eliciting relapse in patients with schizophrenia and even possibly a premorbid precipitant. Continuing cannabis consumption and previous cannabis intake have been shown to be associated with relapses in the treatment of schizophrenic patients (44). Comparing cannabis-abusing patients diagnosed with schizophrenia to non-abusing schizophrenic patients, the cannabis abusers had higher scores (except on the delusion subscale) for positive symptoms of schizophrenia (45). Interestingly, non-abuser schizophrenic patients scored higher on a scale for negative symptoms of schizo-phrenia, again suggesting some sort of "self-medication" function in the users. It appears clear that cannabis use is associated with the precipitation and exacerbation of psychosis in vulnerable individuals (46). The relationship between use of marijuana and schizophrenia is especially important because schizophrenia usually manifests as a first psychotic episode during late adolescence or young adulthood.

As informative as the above facts are, we are nonetheless left with an impressive collection of rather fragmented observations that cannot answer many important questions. There is no comprehensive or functional pulling together of observations. We know from our observations that marijuana has, at least in the short run, a pleasurable or integrative effect, otherwise it would not be used. In the long run, however, it has a disruptive or destructive effect on the individual's emotional and physical functioning. Traditional research has no explanation as yet for why this happens. There are also other important phenomena, such as changes in consciousness, self-perception, and energy level, which are not adequately addressed if they are observed at all.

We need to be able to understand an adolescent's experience, with-out moralism or judgment, that while smoking marijuana he feels great," expansive, creative and sensual. Facts about sperm count or brain chemistry, in isolation, have no impact on such an adolescent, who can easily point out that his friend, who smokes marijuana regu-larly and who made the Dean's List last semester, recently got his girlfriend pregnant. Clearly, all the factual knowledge derived mechanistically, the effects of the drug "acting on the brain" has had little impact on adolescents' perceptions of these dangers.

Although this is an initial attempt at comprehending a complex interaction, the effects of marijuana can be better understood by an orgonomic approach which identifies their function within the living organism as a whole. Every characteristic of the living is based directly or indirectly on the pulsation of orgone energy, its spontane-ous expansion and contraction. This is true on the level of cells, organs and organ systems, and on the individual's biosystem as a whole (47). It is the unitary pulsation of orgone energy that is the basis of health. Reich observed that natural pulsation could be temporarily or chronically blocked or immobilized. In humans he discovered the cause to be muscular rigidity or armoring. When armoring has become chronic there is, to varying degrees, a loss of natural energetic functioning (depending on the severity and location of the armor) with corresponding somatic and emotional disturbances.

Reich also stated that "self-perception and consciousness are directly related to certain bioenergetic states of the organism, in kind and degree." (48) At least from birth, sensations (from both internal and environmental sources), and perceptions of these innumerable sensations, gradually become discriminated from one another and integrate into one total unified perception of the self (self-awareness). This brings about the development of consciousness. Whatever serves to compromise consciousness will also compromise self-perception and with it the corresponding functions of reasoning, association, memory, concentration, etc.

Clinical observations, traditional research, and our knowledge of functional orgonomic principles support the following hypotheses regarding the effects of marijuana usage. Once taken into the body, marijuana appears to produce an initial and temporary excitatory or expansive reaction in the brain. A reactive contraction in the brain then apparently follows. Further use to reverse the contraction, in order to re-experience the pleasurable expansion, continues this process. With continued use the contraction increases, and becomes chronic, particularly in the ocular segment. As this occurs, there is a concomitant decrease in the individual's overall energy level or charge. Integration of biophysical functioning in both somatic and emotional realms is adversely affected. Let us now consider these hypotheses and some orgonomic observations in more detail.

Smoking marijuana induces a brief unnatural energetic excitation or expansion in the ocular segment with corresponding somatic and psychic manifestations. Users generally describe experiencing perceptions of increased "openness," a greater sense of contact (at least with oneself), heightened consciousness or awareness, increased creativity and imagination with unusual visual imagery and/or auditory perceptions, and complex "deep" thoughts. The behavior of others and the neurotic conditions in society can sometimes be seen more clearly or realistically, at least temporarily. These phenomena apparently result, in large part, from an unnatural expansion in the ocular segment, one which the individual is unprepared for and unaccustomed to experiencing. Whether the expansion is due simply to drug-induced excitation and/or breakdown of existing armoring in the brain is not known.

A more severe contraction follows the unnatural expansion. One observes that ocular armoring is acutely intensified, respiratory rate and depth are decreased, and excitation lowered. This reaction produces the "mellow" or "laid back" phase of the drug experience. Users appear to be more aware of specific internal sensations and less attuned to the environment. They "go internal," withdraw into themselves, and focus upon their somatic sensations. Spontaneous bioenergetic movement decreases below the level required for sensation to be fully perceived. The result is contactlessness. The individual experiences flatness, dulling of sensation, and often a sense of boredom. As noted, this in turn predisposes to further use of the drug.

The drug induces armoring, specifically in the ocular segment which includes the brain. It is for this reason that its effects continue long after the acute intoxication phase has passed, even after drug residues have left the body. These effects vary and depend upon one's particular character type, individual structure, 2 as well as frequency of use and other factors. On observation one sees a lack of natural spontaneity or "sparkle," a dulling of the eyes, and a flattening and deadness of the musculature of the ocular segment. This includes forehead, scalp, and the area around and beneath the eyes. Because diffusion of the energy field lowers bioenergetic charge, the user appears to fade into the background: he is not fully "there," and is often accurately described as being "out of it." Emotional contactlessness with attendant perceptual distortion is always present and illusions and misperceptions with regard to positive personal changes and abilities are the rule. The user often falls "in love" with the drug, as one who is involved in a destructive personal relationship. He is blinded to its adverse effects, will lie to parents, friends, and teachers to continue its use. He usually will convince himself and try to convince others that the drug is good. One cannot argue or reason with the marijuana user. They literally cannot see the effect of the drug and will minimize and rationalize what it is doing to them and to their functioning. This rigidity of perception is a function of armor (49). Where there is armoring, sensation, perception, and thought are distorted. This is especially so with the increased energetic push of adolescence that combines with the unnatural, marijuana-induced effect on the ocular segment. Perceptions of sensation are reduced or increased but always distorted. They are split off from a unitary sense of the self (50). Self-awareness and with it consciousness are impaired. The more heavily armored the individual, the more he is unaware of how unaware he is.

Without accurate perceptions and with increased contactlessness, the adolescent's emotional development becomes adversely affected. Important ongoing developmental tasks such as the learning of how to tolerate and master the anxiety of heterosexual relationships, relate socially in a contactful manner, and function with true independence are compromised. This is especially significant because drug use is starting at increasingly younger ages, when adolescent development is just beginning. The drug's effect at so young an age is, psychosocially, all the more destructive.

The tendency of marijuana users to associate with other users increases their dysfunction. While increasing preference for time spent with peers is a normal adolescent phenomenon, the close association of marijuana smokers is quite another matter. It is characteristic that they become more withdrawn from peers who do not use marijuana. Having decreased and lowered their energetic charge, they seek out others with similar energetic functioning and involve themselves in ritualistic 3 drug use and drug-associated activities. Attitudes which correspond to the somatic and psychic effects of regular marijuana use (i.e., "tune in, dropout," being "cool and laid back," "nothing matters or gets to you," "whatever," "no struggle, no fear") become part of the subculture which both reflects and supports this functioning.

Koopman, describing the effects of psychedelic drugs on human bioenergetic functioning, refers to a researcher's statement that marijuana "gives the illusion of feeling good."(51) The experience of excitation with pleasurable feelings and the reduction of anxiety are not illusions. The user of marijuana does indeed feel pleasure and a decrease in social and sexual anxiety. He is attempting, with more or less success, to self-medicate.

Unfortunately, he can only temporarily succeed in his efforts to feel better. In addition to the direct harmful physiologic effects resulting from its use, marijuana has profound bioenergetic consequences: it disrupts and interferes with natural bioenergetic pulsation, produces chronic brain armoring, and diffuses and reduces the overall charge of the biosystem. The price paid for the relief is quite high. The adolescent user of marijuana finds himself further and further away from the sweetness of health. less able to love in a deep and responsible manner, to work and learn with pleasure, and to develop his natural potential. It is hoped that this understanding will help adolescents, and all those who strive to make the difficult lives of adolescents better.

2. The adolescent who experiments with marijuana or smokes it regularly is bioenergetically like any other individual, either relatively healthy (with little armoring), already severely armored (chronically contracted), or somewhere between these two extremes. It is their specific structure that explains why some individuals experience increased anxiety, panic, dysphoria, or psychosis with marijuana use, instead of pleasure. back to text

3. The word "ritualistic" refers to the fact that the drug and its effects - -the drug experience - are central and essential to the individual and the group. back to text

1. Marijuana and the Cannabinoids, 1990. Reprinted from the Third Triennial Report to Congress from the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

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