I have had many misgivings about mmj/mj improving mental health.
I have seen many cases where it was not helping people and was making life more unmanageable. I have tended to have a viewpoint similar to *Laurie's* viewpoint.

I do think there are people who benefit from mmj/mj use.

All of my doctors, which includes pdoc, primary care and all consulting specialists, esp. neurology and rheumatology, strongly urge me to give mmj/mj a trial. Mmj is legal in this state. Mj is legal (within some parameters) as of July 1st. My doctors have been pushing for this trial for several years now.

They each believe mj is a "safer" and a healthier choice than combining al of the meds needed for physical ailments/disabilities and psych drugs. They also wonder if mj might be more helpful with depression and with anxiety and C-PTSD. I have not had a good response to meds. Most meds seriously inflict more suffering via decreased quality of life.

I have started a trial several times and have quit right away. This has gone on for years.

I have recently started a trial of vaping 4 times a day. I have just completed 3 full weeks. (I had decided to finally give it a trial just like the trials of meds -- giving this weeks before giving up (this time).

What do I notice?

I am in less pain (which has been neuropathic and excruciating), I am much less anxious, my nervous system is more calm, spasms are under control, my mood is much better, I can accomplish more (yet still not enough), I am much more comfortable overall. I sleep better and awaken more refreshed. I am not in excruciating pain 24/7. C-PTSD symptoms are significantly less.

The down side?

I really like to have full control of my faculties. I have been very reticent to try mmj/mj. I have no prior history of mj use. I then realized the C-PTSD and other conditions were denying me full use of my faculties and was seriously negatively impacting my life, so thought it worth a trial. My doctors have all remained steadfast in their mmj/mj trial recommendations... for years now.

I spend time educating myself as I have no prior experience with using mmj/mj prior to these (previously aborted) trials and this current longer trial.

I cannot drive using mj on this type of a schedule.

I have some airway irritation from vaping. If I decide to continue this trial, I will be looking into edibles.

As with any approach, there are some concerns about health. How healthy is vaping for one's airway, etc.

My mood is much improved, by the way. Bipolar 2 -- have been stuck in severe paralyzing depression for far too long.

I can see how someone might be concerned about more instability. My mood has been more stable, less suicidal. I have been feeling more "normal" and more like my old self.

I don't want this to come back and hit me from behind. I am very sensitive to those writing about addictions. I don't want to become "addicted," yet it seems to be a choice as to upon which substances I become dependent. I have been able to cut my opioid meds doses in half already.

As you may be able to tell, the jury is still out on this trial.

This is a very different 3 week trial report than I had thought I'd be giving. I had anticipated having a very negative experience and thought I'd be writing a negative review.

This has reminded me to keep an open mind and to remember everyone is different. Some doctors are seeing positive results with mmj/mj, so there's some evidence it is helping some people.

I need to work on a paradigm shift. I need to accept mmj/mj if it continues this helpful to me.

I hope this helps somehow.


WC