Why does smoking Marijuana help with my anxiety

[Jessica1111]

Hi,

I was in a toxic relationship & was narcissistically abused & I'm suffering from pts,anxiety & panic attacks. I have gone to the doctor & he subscribe anti depressants but they don't work & won't work for 6 weeks, I asked the doctor for anxiety medication & was denied, I asked for light sleeping pills just once off but was denied. My anxiety is so bad I can't stop reliving it & I can't sleep & I'm extremely mad & I will attack u if u even look at me the wrong way doesn't matter where I am I'm filled with rage. The doctor basically cannot help, so I started smoking Marijuana & it's great, I'm relaxed I don't think as much it makes me hungry & I have a great sleep I'm not angry. I feel the doctors do not really want to help & was a waste of time & I now self medicate myself as the doctor was completely useless. I need something that's works today not in 6 weeks. When I feel a panic attack I just smoke & everything stays good. If the doctor had given me something for anxiety I would have not had to do something illegal & find my own outlet for anxiety.

[Idkme]

Hi Jessica,

I’m no doctor but this post signals big warnings for me.... self medicating is dangerous and using drugs that ‘hide’ the problems don’t ‘deal’ with the issues.,.. if anything it creates plenty more.

Perspectives are interesting things.... it may seem you are completely chill but what about the ‘other’ people in your life.... what are the costs?

Like I said, I’m no expert but I think you need expert help to answer this kind of question and to help you ‘deal’ with your issues please see a doctor, or find a new one if that one didn’t help

all the best.

[Croix]

Dear Jessica1111~

Having an anxiety condition is really horrible, The way thinking is distorted to see the very worst, the way the thoughts keep going around and around, the exhaustion, the sleeplessness, the panic attacks ... I could go on, we know what it is like. I have PTSD, anxiety and bouts of depression, so can well sympathize.

You have found that for you at the moment cannabis helps. It would seem great. OK, you also sound pretty cross at your doctor for not prescribing something effective straight away.

On the surface it sounds like common sense, you take something and you feel better. However have you considered the bigger picture?

For example what are the longer term effects of cannabis use, does it for example backfire in time and increase anxiety effects as receptors lose efficacy? If that is the case does one start 'chasing' the effect by using ever increasing doses?

Does it make for lower production of dopamine, leading to lower motivation levels, also does cannabis make memory less efficient?

I'm also not passing comment on legality or otherwise, except to point out something I'm sure you are aware of, illicit drugs are unregulated, which means they can have vastly varying strengths and all sorts of contaminants.

I'd be the first to admit it has taken me a long time to get my conditions under control and I've found many medications did nothing, or worse had unacceptable side effects, however now between a lifestyle that caters for stress reduction and the correct medication I'm stable, productive and lead a pretty reasonable life.

I'm not trying to be a kill-joy, or someone that refuses to believe in alternatives, simply suggesting you make an informed judgement.

So what do you think?

Croix

[MsPurple]

Hi Jessica and welcome to the forums. I myself also have anxiety and know how terrible it is

I am not going to go into the legalising cannibas debate here.

I think it can be hard dealing with anxiety and sometimes people self medicate. I have unfortunately been guilty of this. I have gotten drunk and used food for comfort also. I myself found it helped for a bit. However it was never a long term solution. I needed to figure out what was the cause of my anxiety and my issues. I found that although medication helps it isn't the solution. It can be a tool that helps. But having to deal with the issue head on can be hard, but it is needed to get help. I found talking to someone really helpful. Have you gotten a referral to a psychologist.

We are a non-judgmental community here. If you ever want to talk about parts of your anxiety feel free to ask.

[Jessica1111]

Thank you for your support, I know it's not answer but it sure helps. I'm going to seek alternative help.my health is more important than my anxiety.

[Idkme]

Hi Jessica,

It's great that you have written back... I'm so glad you are going to give an alternative a try... it takes a lot of commitment and strength to do that but you have people here supporting you... feel free to keep us up to date with what you are dealing with... will you try to contact your same doctor or get a new one... have you thought about alternatives? what plan of attack are you thinking about using?

Of course none of these questions have to be answered but thought it would give you some ideas to contemplate.

regards.

[Croix]

Dear Jessica~

I would like you for coming back too. Just like MsPurple says I found medication not to be the whole answer. A lifestyle that tries to reduce stress and promote calm, through avoiding things you know will get you going, exercise, nutrition - and when you can - good sleep. A psychologist, councilor or psychiatrist can be a great help.

There is a thread where people put down what helps, you might like to have a look:

Forums / Anxiety / SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY

I also find the free smartphone app Smiling Mind does a great job of breaking up a cycle of anxious thoughts - though one has to have practiced it to get the benefit.

Also having something every day to take your mind away, I use books, movies, exercise. It gives me something to look forward to when I get up.

Croix

[blondguy]

Hello Jessica

I understand the pain you have been going through with these awful panic attacks. Many people dont really have an idea of how debilitating they can be. I had these vile panic attacks for a long time before I understood that I needed some counseling.....(my silly mistake)

The marijuana is a quick fix yet since its grown hydroponically it is a lot stronger than the old weed that was around few decades ago that was grown in the ground....and thus the THC content is higher and is more potent and can sometimes exacerbate (trigger) an underlying illness

Eating well and distracting ourselves is a help yet face to face interaction with a counselor/psychologist/psychiatrist will bring you some real peace of mind....Especially when we are brutally honest with them

The panic attacks do reduce in severity over time with regular counseling.....monthly is great....fortnightly is better....and weekly is an excellent way to help us find some peace in our lives...Making a double appointment is a huge bonus too when we are seeing our GP 🙂

Anyhow....I just wanted to say you are strong to have posted and great to have you as part of the forum family!

It would be great if you could stick around Jessica (if you wish to of course!)

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Jessica1111]

Hi everyone.

I've been back to the doctor but he still can't help just more anti depressants that don't work. I've got a psychiatrist appointment on the 5th I'm hoping they can help but yeah in the mean time I'm still smoking to relieve my anxiety & I've never been happier.

Hopefully it will be legal soon 💟 thank u for your help.

[Quercus]

Hi Jessica,

I appreciate your honesty. It isn't easy to admit when we self medicate (like MsP I turn to food which is a harmful way to cope too but we do whatever we can to survive at times).

I wanted to reply to point out something important. When I first visited my psychiatrist he asked for complete honesty about illegal drugs. He does test at times and flat out refuses to prescribe medications if you are taking other drugs because of the potential interactions.

It is worth considering. Croix said over time you may find the effect wears off and perhaps will need to try other medications. I think it is important to know self medication can impact on your ability to receive the treatments you need.

Others are right to say there is no judgement here. If it werent for my one and only experience with pot being terrifying (Paul is spot on about the unpredictability of reactions) I may have gone down the path you're trying to change too.

Like you I was trying to escape years in a relationship I wish I left. It is hard to accept the idea of opening up and going through all the shame and regret and anger all over again but therapy is important.

Medication alone is not always enough. And there is no quick fix. Self medication IS tempting because it is easier to escape and numb yourself than wade through the crap and attempt to heal. But it isn't helping you learn to cope with what happened.

I did weekly psychotherapy with my psychiatrist for about a year along with meds. I wondered how speaking about it and analysing it could help me but it has.

Only recently I realised I can think of that time and of my ex and not feel distressed or scared or guilty. It is not that I dont care anymore. It is just that I've examined the memories so many times with the support of a professional that the memories have finally lost their power over me. They hurt but they don't overwhelm or rule me anymore.

I hope you keep on trying and writing and learning what helps you long term.

Nat