Which substance is cannabis use linked to psychotic-like symptoms in vulnerable individuals?

• A. Alcohol
• B. Nicotine
• C. MDMA
• D. Cannabis

Answer: (D)

Cannabis use can trigger psychotic-like symptoms in people who are vulnerable because THC, the main psychoactive component, can alter perception, thinking, and mood. In individuals with a predisposition to psychosis or mental health issues—especially during adolescence when the brain is still developing—these effects can manifest as paranoia, suspicious beliefs, and perceptual disturbances, and in some cases brief psychotic experiences. The risk rises with higher potency cannabis and more frequent use, and while CBD might counter some effects to a degree, it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely. Other substances can affect mood and behavior, but cannabis has the strongest and most direct link to these psychotic-like experiences in vulnerable individuals.