Why are the hallucinations persistent after I stopped taking marijuana three months back?

Question

Hello doctor,

Till three months back, I ate marijuana brownies. During the experience, I had a very fine time. But something happened; I felt as if I left my body. I suddenly started yelling, but I thought I was dreaming because I could see myself and was hallucinating. When I finally came to normal, everything around me felt very dreamlike. It was the scariest moment of my life. I went to bed thinking the effects would wear off in the morning; however, they did not. As the days progressed, the symptoms got worse. I was so scared that what if I was dreaming and still had not returned from the trip, or what if I went insane and this was all in my head? Even though everything felt real and my memory was fine, I still was nervous. However, these feelings went away if I was distracted. Making me believe they were in my head. It's been about a month and a half since the initial symptoms, and I have been on Zoloft for around a month. The symptoms have lessened in severity, but they are still there to an extent. My doctor believes the marijuana was laced with PCP (phenyl cyclohexyl piperidine). The symptoms do not come until nighttime. I believe this because it was nighttime when I had the scary experience. Anyways I am curious to know what is wrong.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welocme to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern regarding your hallucinations and dream-like state of mind after consuming marijuana. There are two possibilities:

1. Marijuana itself may cause long-term hallucinations. Sometimes it stays for three to four months, even after a single dose of marijuana.

2. There is a high possibility of long-term psychotic symptoms if marijuana is laced with PCP (phenyl cyclohexyl piperidine) or cannabis.

In my opinion, you are having long-term side effects of marijuana, which will subside within two months. Laced marijuana has more serious effects without insight, unlike in your case. I suggest you continue Zoloft (Sertraline) if you feel depressed, and if you do not. Do not worry about your problems; they are temporary. And avoid consuming marijuana.

I hope my answer helped you.

Thank you.