[Cannabis consumption and its psychosocial effects in a comparison of different cultures].
Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie August 1, 2001 J Schlimme, D Rada, U Schneider
Cannabis consumption has been shaped by cultural and religious contexts across history. In medieval Islam, it was linked to Sufi mystical practices, and heavy use was thought to risk inducing madness or psychosis, yet social sanctions were absent. Today in Western societies, cannabis is mainly used by adolescents for relaxation, and public concern focuses on it as a gateway to other illicit drugs, while the risk of psychosis is rarely discussed. Across eras, users have reported creative insights from intoxication, translating unusual experiences into normal reality, but this creative aspect is largely overlooked in scientific research, for reasons the authors discuss.