Is there even a modicum of evedence that weed can stabilize mood? Or is this simply wishful thinking? Even if this ability to stabilize mood is true, there are other hurdles that would need to be considered.

https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/bi...rticle/791645/

“Among patients with bipolar disorder, cannabis is the most commonly abused drug. Lifetime use of cannabis among bipolar patients is estimated to be around 70%, and 30% present a comorbidity of cannabis abuse or dependence. The risk for psychotic disorders increases with the frequency and intensity of cannabis use. Researchers have found that cannabis use is also associated with a younger age at onset of first manic episode, increased manic and depressive episodes, increased risk of rapid cycling, poorer outcome, and poorer treatment compliance.”

Keep in mind we are just talking about how the use of marijuana complicates the treatment of bipolar, not that the canabis is being used actually as a mood stabilizer. Furthermore, more at the heart of this issue:

“Yes. It can complicate the management of bipolar disorder by virtue of causing mood instability and psychosis in certain patients with bipolar disorder. Cannabis is a known psychotogenic drug for some people, although the majority of people who use it do not develop psychosis. But, among those that do, there seems to be a higher risk for conversion to schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, unfortunately. Moreover, it's not uncommon for me to see patients with bipolar disorder relapse into mania with recent cannabis use. Observational studies have demonstrated a correlation between cannabis use and hypomanic and manic relapse in bipolar disorder.”

However, antedotal evidence from the user suggests otherwise, at least for some people. Still I would trust the pdoc more because this is what he *objectively* witnessed in his patients. What these articles also have made clear is that it is used by some people as another form of self-medication, like the use of alchohol would be considered. The risks are significant, so I would suggest to be careful.

Perhaps one needs to focus on the CBD element of the plant. There are actual studies that suggests the success of handling mood stability. This can be taken in the form of an oil, and I think even as a pill. So smoking is not necessary. But I do not think this form would be desirable to many people. IMHO I think there are users that are going for the “high” as much as they are thinking that it is helping them with their MI. After all, the “high” is desired by many people even without a MI. IMO This may not necessarily be a bad thing for some users. I suspect a mild high may help relieve anxiety. But there may be etter ways in dealing with anxiety without needing to be “high”.

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“It turns out that CBD has an effect on the firing of these neurotransmitters—dampening their signals to the brain when they become overactive. Researchers think that this property can have mood stabilizing actions that have applications in bipolar disorder.”

FWIW

Additional articles:

Can Marijuana Treat Bipolar Disorder?

http://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjbipolar.pdf