Cannabis and Depression

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January 25, 2015 - 9:32 pm
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Total Posts: 1
Joined: 01-25-2015
I am new to this site, and I joined to hopefully find some support. I was curious about people's experiences with medicinal cannabis and depression/anxiety. I have been depressed for 12 years now, have had OCD for life, and 3 years ago developed crippling social anxiety. The anxiety and depression definitely come in waves, and I have had suicidal ideation several times. I also self-harm about once a month (down from daily ~7 years ago).

I started Pristiq 3 years ago when my anxiety peaked and I sought out therapy and psychiatry. Overall, I have just barely been able to maintain my life (at times completely losing it) with the antidepressants and anti anxiety medication. I am now on generic Effexor 225mg, generic Klonopin 0.5 mg twice daily, generic Wellbutrin XL 150mg, and Abilify 5m. About 6 months ago, I got my medical cannabis card (I live in CA), and have since been smoking nightly (vaporizing to cut down on carcinogens). When I am high is the only time I actually feel good. I am nice and loving to my girlfriend (normally I am rude and irritable). I write music, I draw, and I watch those foreign films on Netflix I wouldn't otherwise watch.

I only smoke at night (even on weekends), when I am unwinding those couple hours before bed. Other than those few hours being high, I am absolutely miserable. I often go to the bathroom at work to hide and cry. I am this depressed for real reasons: intense work pressure and stress in a competitive industry, family strife, low self esteem from birth, insecurity, etc. I am just wondering how others have reacted to weed while depressed or anxious? I'm interested specifically how it affects people when they aren't high.



Medications for December 26, 2014 to January 25, 2015
01-24-2015 - Present:Abilify, 5 mg. Once per Day
01-20-2015 - Present:Buproprion XL (Generic for Wellbutrin XL), 150 mg. Once per day
01-20-2015 - Present:Clonazepam (Generic for Klonopin), 0.5 mg. Twice per day
06-15-2014 - Present:Cannabis, 500 mg. One per Day, sometimes less
01-06-2014 - Present:Venlfafaxine (generic for Effexor), 225mg. Once per day
11-26-2012 - Present:Alprazolam (Generic for Xanax), 0.5 mg. none to twice per day
01-20-2015 - Present:Buproprion XL (Generic for Wellbutrin XL), 150 mg. Once per day
01-20-2015 - Present:Clonazepam (Generic for Klonopin), 0.5 mg. Twice per day
06-15-2014 - Present:Cannabis, 500 mg. One per Day, sometimes less
01-06-2014 - Present:Venlfafaxine (generic for Effexor), 225mg. Once per day
11-26-2012 - Present:Alprazolam (Generic for Xanax), 0.5 mg. none to twice per day
06-15-2014 - Present:Cannabis, 500 mg. One per Day, sometimes less
01-06-2014 - Present:Venlfafaxine (generic for Effexor), 225mg. Once per day
11-26-2012 - Present:Alprazolam (Generic for Xanax), 0.5 mg. none to twice per day

Spam? Offensive?
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January 25, 2015 - 9:32 pm
I am new to this site, and I joined to hopefully find some support. I was curious about people's experiences with medicinal cannabis and depression/anxiety. I have been depressed for 12 years now, have had OCD for life, and 3 years ago developed crippling social anxiety. The anxiety and depression definitely come in waves, and I have had suicidal ideation several times. I also self-harm about once a month (down from daily ~7 years ago).

I started Pristiq 3 years ago when my anxiety peaked and I sought out therapy and psychiatry. Overall, I have just barely been able to maintain my life (at times completely losing it) with the antidepressants and anti anxiety medication. I am now on generic Effexor 225mg, generic Klonopin 0.5 mg twice daily, generic Wellbutrin XL 150mg, and Abilify 5m. About 6 months ago, I got my medical cannabis card (I live in CA), and have since been smoking nightly (vaporizing to cut down on carcinogens). When I am high is the only time I actually feel good. I am nice and loving to my girlfriend (normally I am rude and irritable). I write music, I draw, and I watch those foreign films on Netflix I wouldn't otherwise watch.

I only smoke at night (even on weekends), when I am unwinding those couple hours before bed. Other than those few hours being high, I am absolutely miserable. I often go to the bathroom at work to hide and cry. I am this depressed for real reasons: intense work pressure and stress in a competitive industry, family strife, low self esteem from birth, insecurity, etc. I am just wondering how others have reacted to weed while depressed or anxious? I'm interested specifically how it affects people when they aren't high.



Medications for December 26, 2014 to January 25, 2015
01-24-2015 - Present:Abilify, 5 mg. Once per Day
01-20-2015 - Present:Buproprion XL (Generic for Wellbutrin XL), 150 mg. Once per day
01-20-2015 - Present:Clonazepam (Generic for Klonopin), 0.5 mg. Twice per day
06-15-2014 - Present:Cannabis, 500 mg. One per Day, sometimes less
01-06-2014 - Present:Venlfafaxine (generic for Effexor), 225mg. Once per day
11-26-2012 - Present:Alprazolam (Generic for Xanax), 0.5 mg. none to twice per day
01-20-2015 - Present:Buproprion XL (Generic for Wellbutrin XL), 150 mg. Once per day
01-20-2015 - Present:Clonazepam (Generic for Klonopin), 0.5 mg. Twice per day
06-15-2014 - Present:Cannabis, 500 mg. One per Day, sometimes less
01-06-2014 - Present:Venlfafaxine (generic for Effexor), 225mg. Once per day
11-26-2012 - Present:Alprazolam (Generic for Xanax), 0.5 mg. none to twice per day
06-15-2014 - Present:Cannabis, 500 mg. One per Day, sometimes less
01-06-2014 - Present:Venlfafaxine (generic for Effexor), 225mg. Once per day
11-26-2012 - Present:Alprazolam (Generic for Xanax), 0.5 mg. none to twice per day

artista
February 3, 2015 - 2:27 pm
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artista
Total Posts: 868
Joined: 06-12-2011
I guess I am surprised at the scrip for medical marijuana. Google the topic-- every peer reviewed article you will find will cite against its use for your symptoms. I will see if I can find some for you.

On the other hand, psychotherapy has shown to be quite beneficial. Do you have a therapist?

If you go to the bipolar forum, you will find a fairly recent post of mine entitled Do You Relate. Check that out. I am a big believer in trauma therapy--many of us have trauma from childhood that is unaddressed. That can lead to stubborn depression and irritability. That is my concern for you.

I wish you well.


Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny. Mahatma Ghandi
Spam? Offensive?
artista
artista
February 3, 2015 - 2:27 pm
I guess I am surprised at the scrip for medical marijuana. Google the topic-- every peer reviewed article you will find will cite against its use for your symptoms. I will see if I can find some for you.

On the other hand, psychotherapy has shown to be quite beneficial. Do you have a therapist?

If you go to the bipolar forum, you will find a fairly recent post of mine entitled Do You Relate. Check that out. I am a big believer in trauma therapy--many of us have trauma from childhood that is unaddressed. That can lead to stubborn depression and irritability. That is my concern for you.

I wish you well.


Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny. Mahatma Ghandi
CatGal
March 1, 2015 - 2:36 am
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CatGal
Total Posts: 2
Joined: 02-18-2015
I have OCD, cyclothymic disorder, major depression, and social anxiety. Rarely leave my apartment, the only time I have felt somewhat like a normal person, when I was smoking nightly. I did this for over a year, things where a lot better. I just didn't see the long term effectiveness. Short term it was a impeccable relief, to get my brain to stop racing. I could breath, hang out with people, not overanalyze every minute detail. Clear minded, happy, the positives go on and on. I felt like me, my true self when I smoked. This relief primarily came when I was high, not high had its perks, but nothing substantial.

The breaks from life at night, made days better I think because it was a release. I could at night just turn the bad parts of my brain off and be at peace. Helping me be not as irritable, able to cope with life a little bit more. My sleep was so much better then, than it is now. I quit smoking because I was put on a mood stabilizer. I feel way too much anxiety mixing the two, tried it once it was different, then before the medication. Almost made my symptoms worse I feel like. Whether that's really correct or my own thought distortions, I don't know. I have weird fears and anxieties. I know for sure it didn't give me any release or much relief.

In my unprofessional opinion, I think Cannabis is a short-term reliever. Like an inhalers for asthma, it's going to take away the immediate symptoms for about 2 to 4 hours. It's not going to help prevent the symptoms from coming back, or even minimize symptoms. That is what other medications are for, just be careful mixing. Some drugs don't mix. Smoking just helps get you past the bad episodes, like a quick relief medication. I rather smoke a bowl then to torture myself day and night. I don't know if that helps, just my take on the subject and how it has affected me.


Spam? Offensive?
CatGal
CatGal
March 1, 2015 - 2:36 am
I have OCD, cyclothymic disorder, major depression, and social anxiety. Rarely leave my apartment, the only time I have felt somewhat like a normal person, when I was smoking nightly. I did this for over a year, things where a lot better. I just didn't see the long term effectiveness. Short term it was a impeccable relief, to get my brain to stop racing. I could breath, hang out with people, not overanalyze every minute detail. Clear minded, happy, the positives go on and on. I felt like me, my true self when I smoked. This relief primarily came when I was high, not high had its perks, but nothing substantial.

The breaks from life at night, made days better I think because it was a release. I could at night just turn the bad parts of my brain off and be at peace. Helping me be not as irritable, able to cope with life a little bit more. My sleep was so much better then, than it is now. I quit smoking because I was put on a mood stabilizer. I feel way too much anxiety mixing the two, tried it once it was different, then before the medication. Almost made my symptoms worse I feel like. Whether that's really correct or my own thought distortions, I don't know. I have weird fears and anxieties. I know for sure it didn't give me any release or much relief.

In my unprofessional opinion, I think Cannabis is a short-term reliever. Like an inhalers for asthma, it's going to take away the immediate symptoms for about 2 to 4 hours. It's not going to help prevent the symptoms from coming back, or even minimize symptoms. That is what other medications are for, just be careful mixing. Some drugs don't mix. Smoking just helps get you past the bad episodes, like a quick relief medication. I rather smoke a bowl then to torture myself day and night. I don't know if that helps, just my take on the subject and how it has affected me.


kumbaya
March 20, 2015 - 4:22 am
Spam? Offensive?
kumbaya
Total Posts: 718
Joined: 04-20-2010
Sorry I just realized I was not directly answering your specific question SO only this and the next two paragraphs will be pertinent to you in that regard probably. The following paragraphs are relating personal experience having Mental Illness (MI), the effect marijuana had on those issues and lead to me becoming a 'legal' farmer that also manufactured other pot products from cooking oils, butter, and hard candies to sodas and ice cream. If you don't have substance abuse issues you may not relate to it. Also, you are more than likely NOT going to consume the quantity of cannabis day in and day out I was. I received my Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certificate 9/14. I think most (current) research on pot for depression shows no conclusive evidence that it helps BUT a lot of previously held beliefs such as it killing brain cells have been refuted. It's a very promising time for research and clinical trials . FDA lowered many barriers that were keeping researchers from using current technologies and research methods to explore possible therapeutic interventions of drugs classified Schedule 1. Mainly Marijuana, MDMA, psilocybin and LSD. That was in 1992 and no clinical trials started til 2003 because it has been extremely difficult to get funding from big pharmaceutical and banking corporations. Small individual donations and about 40 private investors fund ALL of this research...

You mentioned having Netflix? If so, I highly recommend watching the documentary "Neurons to Nirvana: Psychedelic Medications". Also, you might want to take a peek into the organization called MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: nonprofit/charity) which has been the catalyst for most of this change in policy and thinking that is allowing for specific research and clinical trials to be done. www.maps.org

Because I was unwilling to address (or accept) the idea I needed to see a psychiatrist to be evaluated for MI issues, I started smoking pot (self-medicating) after nearly 14 yrs of abstaining from mind altering chemicals other than caffeine & nicotine. At first I thought marijuana was the answer and my moods became more stable and balanced after experimenting with many different strains for a few years BUT in the long run it made matters worse - greatly increasing the schizophrenia and delusion that comes with my manic episodes. Funny thing is that very severe depressions didn't start w/me til after I was dx'd BP type 1 and put on medications. I did go years with only 2 to 4 hours sleep a night in my 20's when I was drug free but not addressing the MI... Also, I should mention that I NEVER got a-motivational syndrome, rapid heartbeat, panic attacks or anxiety from smoking pot like a lot of daily pot smoking people I grew up with in Northern California as they grew into their 30's and 40's.


I will admit it should have been a no-brainer given my history of substance abuse which started at age 12. I am grateful I was clean from age 16 to 29 which allowed my brain to develop properly for the most part. The fact is, for me anyway, I want MORE of anything that feels good, relieves stress and anxiety and numbs my emotions. The only drugs I don't like are ALL stimulants other than caffeine and powder cocaine which allowed for me to drink more and more alcohol & later into the night as well. That is due to specific biological chemical imbalance which increased as I grew into adulthood rather than decreasing as it does with most who suffer from ADHD.


Spam? Offensive?
kumbaya
kumbaya
March 20, 2015 - 4:22 am
Sorry I just realized I was not directly answering your specific question SO only this and the next two paragraphs will be pertinent to you in that regard probably. The following paragraphs are relating personal experience having Mental Illness (MI), the effect marijuana had on those issues and lead to me becoming a 'legal' farmer that also manufactured other pot products from cooking oils, butter, and hard candies to sodas and ice cream. If you don't have substance abuse issues you may not relate to it. Also, you are more than likely NOT going to consume the quantity of cannabis day in and day out I was. I received my Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor Certificate 9/14. I think most (current) research on pot for depression shows no conclusive evidence that it helps BUT a lot of previously held beliefs such as it killing brain cells have been refuted. It's a very promising time for research and clinical trials . FDA lowered many barriers that were keeping researchers from using current technologies and research methods to explore possible therapeutic interventions of drugs classified Schedule 1. Mainly Marijuana, MDMA, psilocybin and LSD. That was in 1992 and no clinical trials started til 2003 because it has been extremely difficult to get funding from big pharmaceutical and banking corporations. Small individual donations and about 40 private investors fund ALL of this research...

You mentioned having Netflix? If so, I highly recommend watching the documentary "Neurons to Nirvana: Psychedelic Medications". Also, you might want to take a peek into the organization called MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: nonprofit/charity) which has been the catalyst for most of this change in policy and thinking that is allowing for specific research and clinical trials to be done. www.maps.org

Because I was unwilling to address (or accept) the idea I needed to see a psychiatrist to be evaluated for MI issues, I started smoking pot (self-medicating) after nearly 14 yrs of abstaining from mind altering chemicals other than caffeine & nicotine. At first I thought marijuana was the answer and my moods became more stable and balanced after experimenting with many different strains for a few years BUT in the long run it made matters worse - greatly increasing the schizophrenia and delusion that comes with my manic episodes. Funny thing is that very severe depressions didn't start w/me til after I was dx'd BP type 1 and put on medications. I did go years with only 2 to 4 hours sleep a night in my 20's when I was drug free but not addressing the MI... Also, I should mention that I NEVER got a-motivational syndrome, rapid heartbeat, panic attacks or anxiety from smoking pot like a lot of daily pot smoking people I grew up with in Northern California as they grew into their 30's and 40's.


I will admit it should have been a no-brainer given my history of substance abuse which started at age 12. I am grateful I was clean from age 16 to 29 which allowed my brain to develop properly for the most part. The fact is, for me anyway, I want MORE of anything that feels good, relieves stress and anxiety and numbs my emotions. The only drugs I don't like are ALL stimulants other than caffeine and powder cocaine which allowed for me to drink more and more alcohol & later into the night as well. That is due to specific biological chemical imbalance which increased as I grew into adulthood rather than decreasing as it does with most who suffer from ADHD.


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