[bigt666]

Lately I've been feeling extremely anxious and I mostly feel all that anxiety on my legs. I take 6mg of Ativan a day but it's not helping. I have resulted on alternative methods to cure my anxiety and came up with smoking marijuana. It has been helping me with my anxiety, depression, ADD and my mania but there's time where I see no point of smoking it.

What does everybody else think? Is this a good alternative way of coping with anxiety?

[madisgram]

if you have a pdoc i'd talk with him about your anxiety. perhaps another med or an increase in your ativan would help. daily exercise-work out, jogging, etc. can reduce your anxiety a lot.
as for the weed, for me, there are more helpful means to reduce your anxiety. the weed can open up another can of worms for you, imho. others may disagree with me but i find conventional meds are the answer for my anxiety plus the things i mentioned.

[mick07]

I use marijuana for anxiety. I feel it helps me. It's probably not the best way-- but I find it helps. My T and Pdoc both know-- I'm very honest with them about this. They are okay with it.

[gimmeice]

I agree that you need to talk to your pdoc, not only can they adjust your anxiety meds but there are other types of meds that can help extreme anxiety. As for the weed, I have never tried it but I think that you should make you pdoc aware that you are using it because it may interfere with your meds. I have heard of people using weed for anxiety but I don't really know much about the longterm effects. Most pdocs should not be very judging so I think it should be safe to share this with them.

[Sannah]

It's called self medicating. It's really not a cure. A cure would be the problems actually gone, like you could have by working through them in therapy.

[Tumnus]

Originally Posted by bigt666

What does everybody else think? Is this a good alternative way of coping with anxiety?

If it was legal, I know would try it. Was wishing just today that it was. I would definitely tell your pdoc, though. Like others have said, you want to make sure it doesn't interfere with meds you are taking or may be taking in the future. Not to mention it would be good to know how much is too much, how often is too often, etc.

[radmaker3]

Originally Posted by bigt666

Lately I've been feeling extremely anxious and I mostly feel all that anxiety on my legs. I take 6mg of Ativan a day but it's not helping. I have resulted on alternative methods to cure my anxiety and came up with smoking marijuana. It has been helping me with my anxiety, depression, ADD and my mania but there's time where I see no point of smoking it.

What does everybody else think? Is this a good alternative way of coping with anxiety?

Marijuana... heh that's a fun topic. You may find it can help in some ways, that is certainly true, but in other ways it might not. A friend of mine told me that there have been some studies done where smoking marijuana can lead to an increased chance of psychosis later on in life. There's also the fact that it's illegal. With that comes the issue of finding a supplier, which can take you into some shady situations.

And to be honest, you said you have a diagnosis of bipolar, there's the difficulty of putting in that extra chemical which basically messes with any stability you might have.

I had been smoking marijuana for years, and everyone told me that it was a bad idea to smoke weed, I'm bipolar. I was like yeah whatever. It took me some time to see that maybe for me, personally, it wasn't the best idea. Like I could get high or stoned one time and more than likely, it wouldn't make any noticeable difference on my mood. But doing it repeatedly, that's a different story. And honestly, I'm getting to a point now where I don't even feel like messing with weed even once. I like the sober stability better.

That was rather long winded, but I hope that helps. I would reccomend talking to your psych or counselor, if you feel comfortable to open up with them about it. And if you don't feel comfortable, that may be a sign that there is another professional out there that you will click better with.

[Michah]

Originally Posted by bigt666

Lately I've been feeling extremely anxious and I mostly feel all that anxiety on my legs. I take 6mg of Ativan a day but it's not helping. I have resulted on alternative methods to cure my anxiety and came up with smoking marijuana. It has been helping me with my anxiety, depression, ADD and my mania but there's time where I see no point of smoking it.

What does everybody else think? Is this a good alternative way of coping with anxiety?

God no!!!!!! I was pothead for years and did it for the same reasons. Also it helped upset stomach, body pain and insomnia. But I am schizoseffective/borderline and recently bipolar. Marijuana very bad long term. Interferes with short term memory, and yes increases chances of psychosis(I can testify to that!) but is not the cause of the underlying illness, can effect libido (when not on it), can effect DNA on a molecular level and severely impair fetal development. This is obviously with long term use.

I really miss it, but have not smoked since diagnosed with bipolar due to lithium. So I can harp on not to do it, but whoever said its not addictive is lying. I think about it all the time! I am a perfect example of why you shouldn't do it.

Sorry, just feel really strongly about it.

[bigt666]

Originally Posted by Sannah

It's called self medicating. It's really not a cure. A cure would be the problems actually gone, like you could have by working through them in therapy.

That's exactly what I think. There's times when I see no point of using it but it's not an everyday thing and I don't want it to become that. I am going to talk to my doctor about it to see what he recommends.

[MissCharlotte]

I would also worry about the possibility of triggering psychosis as marijuana has been found to cause schizophrenia.

Good luck.

[ECHOES]

Anxiety is about fear. To cope with anxiety you learn about yourself and your fears with a psychotherapist.

Marijuana is a way to avoid learning about the fears that create the anxiety in you. It's avoidance which is a way of coping but not a way of healing. Marijuana can induce paranoia and as MissC said above, schizophrenia.

There are other ways to feel better. Psychotherapy is so helpful. In addition to psychotherapy, there are other things people do to feel better such as relaxation techniques and meditation.

Of course you want to feel better. Feeling anxious doesn't feel good. I hope you'll choose a healthy way to feel better that will help you all your life.

[Perna]

One of my best childhood friends, a psychiatric social worker for the State of Georgia use to use marijuana back in the 1970's recreationally until she found herself at a party, out on a balcony, wanting to jump. Scared her enough she decided it wasn't a good idea.

Hitting yourself in the head with a hammer will cure anxiety too but working with the anxiety directly is probably a better method?

[thunderbear]

Hi. I think alot of people are down on pot because it is illeagl. Xanax is a drug too but I have to take it 2x a day to control my anxiety. I heard of people smoking to relive anxiety. I used to but it got to where pot would actually cause paranoia and panic attacks. So I had to quit. But if you think it would help go for it. It has no worse medical effects than cigarettes. You can't od on it. And I don't consider it anymore self medicating than popping anti-anxiety pills.

[ceepei]

Originally Posted by bigt666

Lately I've been feeling extremely anxious and I mostly feel all that anxiety on my legs. I take 6mg of Ativan a day but it's not helping. I have resulted on alternative methods to cure my anxiety and came up with smoking marijuana. It has been helping me with my anxiety, depression, ADD and my mania but there's time where I see no point of smoking it.

What does everybody else think? Is this a good alternative way of coping with anxiety?

Hi. you know I tried a reefer to clm me...but I found it did the opposite, I almost had a panic attack, had to talk myself dwn. If I have, which I did have alot of anxiety that day..even if I try to meditate it gives me worse anxiety. Its so weird especially when it's supposed to relax you.
I have to make real small attempts before it works. When my anxiety is high I have a very hard time to try and relax.

[bigt666]

I think that popping pills is far worse than smoking marijuana and I'm not going to lie there's times on rare occasions when I do get "bad-highs" and I see no point of smoking it but most of the time is very relaxing, soothing and I enjoy the effect.

But like everyone's saying.... I'm not going to smoke till I get my psychiatrist OK.

Thank you for all your opinions.

[multipixie9]

i have never used mj for any reason. the only time i tried it as a teenager, back in the stone age (1970) i was so anxious about it being illegal i had no high that i remember. but...

the pot grown these days is much stronger than that available in the hippie days. but not only is it stronger it may be cut with who knows what - a very dangerous thing. you just never know what grass bought from illegal sources will ever do to you. beware for your sake. you have not said if you are interested in having children; i've read that smoking dope can do things to your dna.

there are so many "unknowns" involved in what you are doing plus the legal ramifications, please think this over very carefully and make choices you can live with long-term.

those who wrote you to look into the reasons for your fear made good points. going to the roots of this matter could get you free forever and THAT is something you could really live with!

i struggle with anxiety myself so i am not being flippant with you or judging you. i know what gut level fear is like and how it haunts me sometimes and i hope you can get free.

leslie

[Crew]

I totally believe in mj. Yes, there have been times when I've had "bad highs" but I blame the mj for this. MJ helps my anxiety,my pain, my sleep, less pain pills are taken, it relax's me, it helps me be able to eat, stops my puking from so I can eat. The list can go on and on.

I also find that when it seems it doesn't work, I put on Enya, get relaxed. I wish it was legal in NY but it's not and I don't know anyone and I'm in my 40's so it's harder.
i wish though there were a way to get full benefits w/o smoking it. It's hard on thelungs. ThaCrew

[bigt666]

Originally Posted by ThaCrew

I totally believe in mj. Yes, there have been times when I've had "bad highs" but I blame the mj for this. MJ helps my anxiety,my pain, my sleep, less pain pills are taken, it relax's me, it helps me be able to eat, stops my puking from so I can eat. The list can go on and on.

I also find that when it seems it doesn't work, I put on Enya, get relaxed. I wish it was legal in NY but it's not and I don't know anyone and I'm in my 40's so it's harder.
i wish though there were a way to get full benefits w/o smoking it. It's hard on thelungs. ThaCrew

You can always eat it. There's a lot of recipes with Mary on them.

[LeeCh]

MJ is a mixed bag for me. I hallucinated once on it. A handful of times I felt giddy and happy- but rarely. So I don't consider it a fix.

[nowheretorun]

opinions on this one are all over the map i think MJ is a earth produced substance, for this i give it extra credit in some states its been legalized for medical purposes altho the federal laws still remain over-riding... i think in comparison to some pain relievers it has much less potential for harming side effects... we could manage it in the same ways we are managing alcohol now, with programs for treatment that are already in place... since it is non habit forming (assuming you dont like it) the addiction rate would be limited to those who prefer its effects... the effects described here seem extreme to me tho in some cases... i smoked some MJ when i was younger and it gave me the anxiety results mentioned here so i didnt use it.. simple.... years later haha my boss offered me some... i was feeling a bit more confident cause i'd recently been using Zoloft and felt social again (quit Zoloft btw) ... it was less anxiety producing this time.. maybe the Zoloft had done the switching ive heard described in the neuro's and the panic and phobia wasnt intense... as mentioned, i also learned meditative and calming techniques... our national community will decide for us, whatever it is, i wish you all the best

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Originally Posted by MissCharlotte

I would also worry about the possibility of triggering psychosis as marijuana has been found to cause schizophrenia.

Good luck.

I don't think pot has been found to cause schizophrenia. It has been noted in studies that a certain percentage of users develop certain responses to it.

That being said, there is a huge difference in natural pot and hydroponic pot, which needs very nasty, potent chemicals to assist its growth. Chemicals that are not made for human ingestion.

Though I do agree that long term use causes mental disability, and leads to physical disability.

I have not known anyone who used pot naturally (that is without using tobacco to smoke it with), to become addicted to it. But those who do use tobacco with their pot are all addicted and cannot go through the day without several "bongs".

What those people do not realise is that it is the tobacco and not the pot that they are craving. But in their mind it is the pot..

Anyway, I don't see the point in using a depressive drug to assist with an anxious depressive illness. That is the same as drinking alcohol to relieve drpression...it may work for a very limited window in time, but in the long run, it is only doing damage...but each to their own, I certainly would not judge anothers decision for themself

Cheers

[ECHOES]

arsenic is an earth produced substance too, but I would say no thanks to it.

anxiety is fear and the only 'cure' (as was mentioned in the title) is understanding that fear, learning about oneself. smoking pot is an escaping/avoiding behavior that unfortunately doesn't move one closer to a cure. like drinking, when the effect wears off, there ya still are

[I_WMD]

Originally Posted by bigt666

Lately I've been feeling extremely anxious and I mostly feel all that anxiety on my legs. I take 6mg of Ativan a day but it's not helping. I have resulted on alternative methods to cure my anxiety and came up with smoking marijuana. It has been helping me with my anxiety, depression, ADD and my mania but there's time where I see no point of smoking it.

What does everybody else think? Is this a good alternative way of coping with anxiety?

Just wanted to say ; ... I use to use it daily ... then just didn't want it .... But found ,, I would rather self medicate the anx away for a 20 - 40 min. relax , >> than a 8 hr. lasting Rx med ....

Anx goes away when relaxed ... Med just lasts too long . IMO .

WMD.

[I_WMD]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

arsenic is an earth produced substance too, but I would say no thanks to it.

anxiety is fear and the only 'cure' (as was mentioned in the title) is understanding that fear, learning about oneself. smoking pot is an escaping/avoiding behavior that unfortunately doesn't move one closer to a cure. like drinking, when the effect wears off, there ya still are

ECHOS ??? The effects of meds wear off too ... annnnnnnnnnnd the anx still returns . mmmmmmmm ?? O , and BTW ,, You had a dog that left nothing but tinfoil wrapping ?? LOL .

WMD .