Much like the lawlessness now in epidemic proportions across the US, Drug induced mental Illness is on the rise and continues to prove it is an epidemic all in itself. First, here are some of the facts:
Causes – Schizophrenia
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition.
Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode. However, it’s not known why some people develop symptoms while others do not.
Increased risk
Genetics
Schizophrenia tends to run in families, but no single gene is thought to be responsible.
It’s more likely that different combinations of genes make people more vulnerable to the condition. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean you’ll develop schizophrenia.
Evidence that the disorder is partly inherited comes from studies of twins. Identical twins share the same genes.
In identical twins, if a twin develops schizophrenia, the other twin has a 1 in 2 chance of developing it, too. This is true even if they’re raised separately.
In non-identical twins, who have different genetic make-ups, when a twin develops schizophrenia, the other only has a 1 in 8 chance of developing the condition.
While this is higher than in the general population, where the chance is about 1 in 100, it suggests genes are not the only factor influencing the development of schizophrenia.
Differences in brain development
Studies of people with schizophrenia have shown there are subtle differences in the structure of their brains.
These changes are not seen in everyone with schizophrenia and can occur in people who do not have a mental illness. But they suggest schizophrenia may partly be a disorder of the brain.
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages between brain cells.
It is thought people with schizophrenia may have different amounts of certain neurotransmitters in their brains.
Medicines that help lower the amounts of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, can help with the symptoms of schizophrenia in some people.
This suggests neurotransmitters play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
Pregnancy and birth complications
Research has shown people who develop schizophrenia are more likely to have experienced complications before and during their birth, such as:
- a low birthweight
- premature labour
- a lack of oxygen (asphyxia) during birth
It may be that these things have a subtle effect on brain development.
Triggers
Triggers are things that can cause schizophrenia to develop in people who are at risk.
These include:
Stress
The main psychological triggers of schizophrenia are stressful life events, such as:
- bereavement
- losing your job or home
- divorce
- the end of a relationship
- physical, sexual or emotional abuse
These kinds of experiences, although stressful, do not cause schizophrenia. However, they can trigger its development in someone already vulnerable to it.
Drug abuse
Studies have shown using drugs, particularly cannabis, cocaine, LSD or amphetamines, can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, psychosis or a similar illness.
It is not clear if using drugs directly causes symptoms in people who are susceptible to schizophrenia, or if they are more likely to use drugs.
If people have previously had episodes of psychosis or schizophrenia, using drugs can cause a relapse or stop symptoms from getting better.
Research has shown that teenagers and young adults who use cannabis regularly are more likely to develop schizophrenia in later adulthood. The risk may be higher when using stronger forms of cannabis.
Want to know more?
Questions: WHY would states and the Federal Government who are given this information on a yearly basis, allow and promote the recreational use of drugs in our country? Simply put, when the Government warns people about fentanyl, and points the finger at China for the deaths of Americans overdosing on the drug, yet legalize other drugs that they know could possible cause mental issues and illnesses in the general public..one can easily come to the conclusion that MONEY is the common denominator. As an example, in the state of Michigan, the governor created a program that rewards cities, townships and counties who sell recreational marijuana licenses. The more licenses they can sell, the more revenue is generated for that city. A excise tax added to the sales of marijuana, as high as 10% of the sale, is collected through the dispensary. That tax is paid to the state of Michigan and is held for a full year, when the state adds up all the tax collected by each dispensary. Then the state divides up the tax and gives part of it to schools, road commissions and the rest is returned in a bonus to the cities, counties, or townships that sold the license. For fiscal year 2023, the bonus added up to $59,000 per license sold!
Many larger cities in Michigan are receiving checks for MILLIONS of dollars..and the exact words of the Michigan state government is..”the money can be used for whatever purpose the city choses.” Shouldn’t there be a condition on how the money is spent, if cannabis is linked to mental illness? We think so…
Biblical: The apostle Paul wrote a letter to Timothy regarding the behavior of people in the last days….
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-4
Observing people and the youth today, and considering the dark side of their captivation with technology and digital media, we may wonder if we are getting close to the generation Paul describes in these verses. In fact, we must ask – are we already there? In addition, we see the drug influence, and the ability for young people to get high legally…combine the two and you have a self entitled generation high on drugs and well on their way to acquiring a mental illness.
The growth of technology causing rapid changes in our culture could have been a topic addressed by Jesus thousands of years ago when He spoke to His disciples about signs of the end of the age (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14). In Mark 13:12, He also prophesied about a time when children would rebel against their parents, even to the point of death.
Paul’s message was that God is Sovereign; giving warning to a future generation of the growth of knowledge, science drug abuse, mental illness and technology yet to come.
People will be lovers of themselves. Self-love is pride, and is the root of all wickedness. It is a total disregard for God. It is okay to love ourselves as God’s creation, but this scripture is talking about people who love their sinful lifestyles and are actually indulging in self worship, rather that humbly worshiping our Creator and Almighty God.
Never in history has society been so motivated by self-gratification. This is the generation of “what’s in it for me”; be it at work, at church or where ever the opportunity might present itself.
People will be “lovers of money.” The refusal to deny self anything has already increased on enormous debt to our society. Christians lament that they ‘can’t afford’ to tithe to the church or give to missions. The reason is that they are lovers of self and money; they buy too many things on credit which they cannot afford.
People will be “boastful, proud, and abusive.” They are self reliant and arrogant; they don’t need anyone and especially don’t need God in their life!
People will be “disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” The Lord revealed to Paul a future time when the family unit would fall apart.
Looking far into the future, the apostle Paul wrote about the days when a zombie-like generation would grow up to be self-absorbed, without natural affection and contemptuous of parents. He warned of “terrible times” in the last days.
The breakdown of family discipline, the ungrateful behavior of spoiled and undisciplined children which inevitably follows and the gross wickedness that inevitably derives from such conditions are characteristic of the current history of our times.
Paul continues with the total breakdown of society: People will be without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
Finally, there will be no rules, no moral absolutes, and no restraints of any kind. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes, and woe to the person who dares to question his “lifestyle choices.”
Paul’s teaching is that the intensification and proliferation of these shall indeed mark the final apostasy.
What should be our response as we read and consider these verses? Realize that our time is short. What we do for Christ must be done now! We cannot sit back and think we have plenty of time. We are living in perilous times. People are bound in sin and we need to teach those who will listen about Jesus before it is too late.
Paul challenges us to be wise and not to be proud and rebellious…but understanding the times…take full advantage and do all we can to bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ. So what can we do?
Looking at the rest of this chapter, Paul admonishes Timothy to live a godly life in the midst of a darkened world. We must be light! We must shine that others might see our good works and glorify God.
Worried parents should be looking into King Solomon’s godly wisdom that teaches them of the influence they have in shaping their children’s lives, especially those still living at home. In these early years parents still have the power to dictate the child’s relationship with technology and how frequently it can and how it should be used.
Remember: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
In conclusion, we are quickly approaching the time Paul has warned us about..in fact many already say we have arrived and it will only get worse. I have included this video below…VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED of a 18 year old young lady who has no respect for authority, no respect for the police, is homeless and demands everyone be subjected to her rules. This is a prime example of what Paul warned us about. This type of thing happens DAILY across the country.
