A personality disorder is a long-term mental health condition that can affect all aspects of a person’s life. When someone has a personality disorder, it can distort their mindset, and they may act in a way that is contradictory to cultural expectations. In some cases, they may not even be aware of your condition.
Personality disorders were first described in 1801 by Philippe Pinel, a French psychiatrist. He created a category called “mania without delusion,” which referred to people without any obvious injury or condition who sometimes became agitated or violent.1 A 2019 review indicated that the worldwide prevalence of personality disorders is 7.8%.2
What Causes Personality Disorders?
Researchers theorize that a combination of genetic and environmental influences may contribute to the development of personality disorders.
Factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing a personality disorder include:
- Family history of mental illness
- Childhood trauma
- Brain changes
- Cultural and environmental factors
Signs & Symptoms of Personality Disorders
There are ten types of personality disorders classified into three categories: Cluster A, B, and C.
People who have a Cluster A personality disorder may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Odd, eccentric thinking or behavior
- Paranoia
- Suspicion
- Solitary behavior
- A limited range of emotions
- Detachment and indifference to close relationships
Cluster A includes paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder.
Individuals with a Cluster B personality disorder may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Dramatic and erratic behavior
- Antisocial behavior that can become violent
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Distorted self-image
- Lack of empathy
- Low self-esteem and confidence
Cluster B includes antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder.
Those with a Cluster C personality disorder may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Severe anxiety
- Extreme fear of rejection
- Very sensitive
- Very dependent behavior
- Inability to make decisions
- Obsessive thoughts
Cluster C includes avoidant personality disorder, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
The common symptoms listed above can vary among each personality disorder and affect each person differently. Some people may exhibit signs of more than one type of personality disorder.
There is no known way to prevent personality disorders, and treatment can be difficult when the patient is resistant. No medications have been approved to treat any personality disorder, but psychotherapy is often used to help with symptoms and quality of life.
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Personality Disorders
Does cannabis change your personality? The effect of cannabis on mental health has been studied for years, but there is much that is still a mystery. Cannabis does not appear to directly cause personality disorders, but whether it can help or worsen them is still up for debate.
In a 2018 study of over 1400 sets of twins, researchers found that out of all ten personality disorders, people with antisocial personality disorder and BPD appear to be more likely to use cannabis and develop a cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, this study did not investigate causation or long-term effects.3
In a 2019 population-based study of 5196 people with a personality disorder, researchers did not find any strong association between cannabis use and an additional psychiatric disorder. Further research is warranted to investigate cannabis use in people with a personality disorder and an additional comorbid psychiatric disorder.4
A groundbreaking study published in 2022 examined the effect of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMP) on people with emotionally unstable personality disorder, another term for BPD. This was a very small study with only seven participants, but six patients saw an improvement in their symptoms and daily functioning, and the CBMPs were considered safe and well tolerated.5
Another recent study from 2022 compared the effect of cannabis use, specifically THC, on relatively healthy young adults. Researchers discovered that THC was associated with reduced aggression, increased sociability, and other prosocial behaviors through activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This was a small sample group and a short-term study that did not include people with a personality disorder, but these results support the need for research into the specifics of how long-term cannabis use may affect the behavior of different groups of people.6
Cannabis appears to affect behavior through the ECS, so it may be advantageous for certain mental health conditions or symptoms. Cannabis use has been associated with positive social behaviors in people without a personality disorder, but these must be studied to determine the effect on someone with a personality disorder. Recent studies into BPD and cannabis have found a reduction in symptoms, but clinical studies must be conducted. There is a great need for long-term research into each of the ten personality disorders that considers all possible variables.
General cannabis use has mainly been studied in relation to personality disorders, although sometimes the presence of THC is measured. Most of the research has been conducted with inconsistent methods of usage, which is a variable that should not be overlooked. This underscores the need for studies that identify specific cannabinoids and their effect on personality at different doses and frequencies of use. The research supports the idea that cannabis may affect each cluster of personality disorders differently.
High doses of cannabinoids, primarily THC, have been found to cause increased anxiety. If you are taking medication for your condition, it is possible that certain cannabinoids can affect their metabolism.7 It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before using medical cannabis if you have any type of mental health disorder.
For someone with a personality disorder (or at risk for one), it may be wise to avoid high-THC cannabis and CBD until speaking with your doctor.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers personality disorders to be a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes personality disorders or their symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Personality Disorders
Does cannabis change your personality?
According to psychologists, personality is made up of the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Scientists think that personality helps to determine behavior. While using cannabis appears to impact certain behaviors, it does not seem to change a person’s overall personality or cause personality disorders.
What is the best cannabis strain for borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
At this time, there is not enough research to suggest any specific cannabis cultivar for the treatment of BPD. Although some patients recommend high CBD, others may recommend high THC, as cannabis is a very individualistic medicine.
Does cannabis cause personality disorders?
What causes personality disorders is not yet fully understood by scientists, but they think it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Cannabis has not been implicated as a factor that directly causes personality disorders.
Resources
- Crocq MA. Milestones in the history of personality disorders. Personality Disorders. 2013;15(2):147-153. doi:https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2013.15.2/macrocq
- Winsper C, Bilgin A, Thompson A, et al. The prevalence of personality disorders in the community: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of psychiatry. 2019;216(2):69-78. doi:https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.166
- Gillespie NA, Aggen SH, Neale MC, et al. Associations between personality disorders and cannabis use and cannabis use disorder: a population-based twin study. Addiction. 2018;113(8):1488-1498. doi:10.1111/add.14209
- Shalit N, Rehm J, Lev-Ran S. The association between cannabis use and psychiatric comorbidity in people with personality disorders: A population-based longitudinal study. Psychiatry research. 2019;278:70-77. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.05.041
- Sultan W, Mathew A, Brown MRD, Gálvez-Flórez JF, Moreno-Sanz G. Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products in the Management of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD): A Narrative Review and Case Series. Brain Sciences. 2022; 12(11):1467. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12111467
- Vigil JM, Stith SS, Chanel T. Cannabis consumption and prosociality. Scientific reports. 2022;12(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-12202-8
- Vaughn SE, Strawn JR, Poweleit EA, Sarangdhar M, Ramsey LB. The Impact of Marijuana on Antidepressant Treatment in Adolescents: Clinical and Pharmacologic Considerations. J Pers Med. 2021;11(7):615. Published 2021 Jun 29. doi:10.3390/jpm11070615
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
