Veteran actor Anupam Kher has shared a harrowing account of his early encounters with marijuana and bhang, describing experiences filled with intense fear, distorted reality, and a complete loss of control. In a candid interview, Kher reflected on how these substances drastically altered his perception, leading to moments where he genuinely feared for his sanity.
A Disorienting First Try with Marijuana
Recalling his initial experiment with marijuana on the show 'Unfiltered by Samdish', Kher painted a vivid picture of the disorientation he felt. "I think I must have taken two drags, and then I looked up at the sky," he said. A plane taking off from the airport captured his attention completely. He recounted watching it until it became a mere speck, humorously adding that he felt he kept looking until it must have landed at London's Heathrow Airport.
The actor admitted that the experience made him feel he had "gone crazy." The distortion continued when he entered his car later. "I felt as if the road was running or the car was running," he described, highlighting the profound sensory confusion induced by the drug.
The Overwhelming Bhang Episode at NSD
Kher also delved into a separate, equally frightening episode from his student days at the National School of Drama (NSD), involving the consumption of bhang. The experience was so overwhelming that he vowed never to try it again. "I laughed for eight hours straight," he revealed, but this was not laughter born of joy.
The situation escalated in his hostel. While his intoxicated friends stood on the terrace claiming "The army is coming," Kher was gripped by a terrifying sensation of losing control. "I kept telling them I would die laughing and begged them to save me," he confessed. He later realized that impaired communication and perception were major sources of his distress, comparing the feeling to scenes from Jim Carrey's film 'The Mask'.
The Science Behind the Fear: Expert Explains THC's Impact
To understand the neurochemical basis of such terrifying experiences, public health expert Dr. Jagadish Hiremath explained the process in simple terms. The primary psychoactive compound, THC, binds to cannabinoid receptors in brain regions governing memory, perception, coordination, and emotion.
"In first-time or low-tolerance users, the brain is not accustomed to this sudden surge of receptor activation," Dr. Hiremath stated. This disruption in normal neural communication can lead to exaggerated senses, time distortion, and emotional instability. When the prefrontal cortex struggles to interpret these altered signals, users can feel a loss of control or disconnected from reality.
Dr. Hiremath emphasized that paranoia and intense fear often occur when THC overstimulates brain areas linked to threat detection. "Individuals who have underlying anxiety, sleep deprivation, or high stress levels are particularly sensitive," he noted, adding that genetics also influence one's reaction. He warned about the unpredictable potency of recreational bhang or edibles, which can easily lead to panic or dissociation without proper guidance.
The expert strongly advised against unmonitored use, stressing that a healthcare professional can assess individual risks and help prevent such experiences from turning into a medical emergency.
Anupam Kher's personal anecdotes, shared on December 1, 2025, serve as a stark, real-life illustration of the potent psychological effects these substances can trigger, especially in inexperienced users.
