Is Medical Cannabis An Option for Bipolar Patients? | Her Bipolar Life

What do you think?

I would really like to see some more current fair research from both sides. I have seen the benefits and potential risks first hand. Many pdocs and T's blame cannabis use over other issues in patients lives, when it may not even be related. On the other hand, what are the real numbers on the risk of psychosis? Is it any higher than bi polar medications?

[~Christina]

I use a couple times a week .. It slows my brain down and allows me to usually get a few hours of sleep.. Personally I see no problems in using unless of course someone has an addictive personality.. Then It could be a problem fro some people.

My opinion...... how can it be worse for you than all the chemicals in all the Psych meds

Just my opinion of course.

[IndieVisible]

If it works for you, go with it! It's not going to work for everyone. I can't use it because I get very paranoid. It does not relax me. But I know it works for a lot of people. You will know immediately if it's right for you or not.

[Lillyleaf]

Unlike medication the chemical changes,
What you are getting from the drug isn't what it use to be. The plant has been breed and changed to alter the chemical al together. In that case you are never knowing what you are putting into your body. Also, there is even more stigma that is associated, not to mention it is illegal (for many parts). Even in Colorado it is legal to keep a person from getting a job or discriminating because of it.

The plant has been very messed with. There have been studies show that it increases anxiety and leaves things symptoms in the long run. It is one of those "it helps right now" things. Some people argue that if you cook it then it changes. If you cook it the chemical changes to become more harmful losing it's medicinal effects. Not to mention that "your first high will be your highest ever".

I took a class on it at University :P

But, everyone is different in reality. If it works, sure but be aware of the risks and the stigma.

Lillyleaf

[Eaglescout787]

I can tell you from years of experience cannabis in my case yes has worked wonders. It significantly slows my mind down to were I can actually think rationally and racing thoughts aren't a problem. Its also keeps me in a postive mood as well as makes me a lot more social. However when you run dry that's your problem I just resort back to my oldself and whatever the drug was masking or helping is suddenly 100 times worse cause the coping mechanism isn't available.

It might lead you to seek other highs or other high risk behaviors to fufill the same role as cannabis. My advice is its better to not use as it may become an escape from reality which we should really face the music or a dependance.

I tried it once, and once was enough for me. I was seriously seeing and hearing things. Never again.

[EternalWinter]

I had always used it in my teens on and off with alcohol in the mix. I became extremely dependent on alcohol and once I quit alcohol I began smoking about three months in. Sometimes every night for a few months sometimes barely at all, never had negative side effects other then sometimes getting 'too high' and getting a little panic which doesnt happen any more cause I know ill be fine in an hour. Doesnt make me crave alcohol like they told me it would in rehab

I have an addictive personality and I dont get addicted to weed, I never smoke during the day. Right now I havent smoked in over a month simply cause im living in a busy house and would prefer peace and quiet when I smoke. I like the after effects more then anything, when the high wears off cause I dont really get burned out I just feel mellow and nice.

It seems to have a bit of an anti depressant effect when Im feeling very low. If im having hypo mania it defiantly brings it more to normal. I would use it more during the day to see how it helps me during the day, but really i dont want to be half stoned all the time.

[darleenjshannon]

I think there are compounds in cannabis that are beneficial, but in its raw plant form it is too unreliable. Once science sorts it all out and refines it into actual medicine, we might be onto something.

[Moose72]

I've gotten odd feelings from it, from paranoia to an odd sense of being really big to a feeling like the world had slowed down, including music. I haven't had any in over a year.

[IndieVisible]

It turns me in to a paranoid schizo. I think the music on the radio is talking directly to me, I'm convinced people are out to kill me, even my own family and friends, some times I think the devil is coming after me. Yea, I can't get high, not good lol.

[reesecups]

Actually, people seem to vary in their reaction to marijuana. Here in California, it is legal. I know that Sativas will give you a head high, help some pain and is supposed to help depression among other things. Indicas are for help with types of pain as well as relaxing you but can also sometimes cause depression. If you live in a place that medicinal marijuana is legal, I would use the internet and do lots of research before using it. But I just was with someone who was using it to medicate his bipolar. And as with any med, he built up a tolerance for it. And when he couldn't afford it any more and couldn't medicate his condition, he ended up manic, psychotic and got thrown in jail, then a hospital stay. So please be careful.

My understanding of medical marijuana is that they have all different strains available and you are able to find the right type for you, right potency etc? Is this correct? If they were to legalise it, wouldnt their be regulations they'd need to uphold to sell to the public, does this then limit the risk of bad strains? I really only have an idea from what I've seen on tv so feel free to correct me :P

There is so much on the internet supporting marijuana, yet much of the information that warns against it is exactly the same regurgitated again and again based on outdated data. I would really like to see more studies done on it as I think it is beneficial for some people. Personally I think it is better for you than alcohol, and if you're going to have a "vice" there are much worse (legal) things to be doing.

[medicalfox]

I used it to help me sleep at night and it worked wonders. I used the highest quality of the breed I used and I'm going to try my best to explain things without being street technical. There are many breeds of cannabis and different qualities of it too. It's usually the bad quality that gives people anxiety and certain breeds do too. Generally people have used the more common/cheaper breeds/quality since the expensive ones are hard to come by. I'd imagine that medical cannabis wouldn't use the common breeds of cannabis and wouldn't sell lower qualities of it, so it would be very beneficial. Also, cannabis can be laced with different things such as hard drugs that can induce bad side affects. Cannabis is manipulated quite a bit on the streets, but in the hands of licenced professionals it could be a very good substance to use since it wouldn't be tapered with unless to improve the quality of the chemical it contains. Personally, I think they should find a way to harvest the chemical from the plant so it decreases the chance of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Medical professionals are able to do that with the electronic cigarettes for nicotine so I feel that they will do that with this chemical too.

Originally Posted by medicalfox

Personally, I think they should find a way to harvest the chemical from the plant so it decreases the chance of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Medical professionals are able to do that with the electronic cigarettes for nicotine so I feel that they will do that with this chemical too.

You can use vaporizers for cannabis. There are some brilliant ones around, but can be costly. Worth the money though.

[IndieVisible]

I/'m 58 years old, I know my cannabis, but trust me regardless of strand or brand it effects people differently and if your prong to paranoia, the ***** will destroy you! lol. The best relief I got from weed was cookies and at bed time, it helped me sleep. Otherwise I turn in to Charles Manson. People need to be prepared for the worse.

[mzunderstood79]

I never smoked it until I was 30 and now I am 34. I smoke almost every day or night. It makes me happy and here lately it gets me motivated and I clean my house like nobody's business. It is a bit expensive but if I stop smoking cigarettes ( which I need to do) the price equals out. I see nothing wrong with it. God put it here for a reason and if it were to become legal, I would have a whole field planted. Of course, I don't smoke in front of my kids because they are teenagers. At their age I am afraid it would be a gateway drug for them. It wasn't for me because I was grown when I started.

[dubblemonkey]

Originally Posted by Supanova

Is Medical Cannabis An Option for Bipolar Patients? | Her Bipolar Life

What do you think?

I would really like to see some more current fair research from both sides. I have seen the benefits and potential risks first hand. Many pdocs and T's blame cannabis use over other issues in patients lives, when it may not even be related. On the other hand, what are the real numbers on the risk of psychosis? Is it any higher than bi polar medications?

are you saying that medicinal THC is an option for BP

Im saying I would like more information. All I can find on the net are the same articles over and over again. Bi polar patients have reported it to be beneficial, is it really? Does it do more harm than good, or does it more good than harm?

[dubblemonkey]

I am not one for advice...

...but few things I know about.

leave the dope alone... don't look for it...
...don't buy it

don't smoke it...

and in a sideways

many smokers live by the green

many others die by the green

two
psycho sides are worse than one

especially when it aint stoned

[IndieVisible]

Originally Posted by dubblemonkey

are you saying that medicinal THC is an option for BP

I think producing thc pills is a better option that way the strength and dosage can be controlled better. I would think for medical purposes that would be the best way to go but of course this gives the pharmaceuticals the upper hand and takes away the opportunity for ordinary people to break in to the business. I don't really care, I don't have a position on this one way or another. But I can't emphasize that the effects of getting high on weed effect people differently. People can have the opposite reactions from it.

Originally Posted by IndieVisible

. But I can't emphasize that the effects of getting high on weed effect people differently. People can have the opposite reactions from it.

Its similar with approved medications though. I know many people who hallucinated (sometimes dangerously) on medication provided by doctors. I personally have hallucinated on psyc meds but never on illicit drugs. Everyone does react differently I agree and people need to be cautious with any drug they put in their system.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by IndieVisible

I think producing thc pills is a better option that way the strength and dosage can be controlled better. I would think for medical purposes that would be the best way to go but of course this gives the pharmaceuticals the upper hand and takes away the opportunity for ordinary people to break in to the business. I don't really care, I don't have a position on this one way or another. But I can't emphasize that the effects of getting high on weed effect people differently. People can have the opposite reactions from it.

Actually, there is a pill made from cannabis that is produced by a pharmaceutical for use in patients on chemo, I believe, but what I've been able to find is that it definitely does not work as well. In California, you can go to a dispensary and get mmj in pill form, topicals, vaporizers with mmj oil cartridges. Also, most have different 'shelf' types. Top shelf being the best and going down to the bud that isn't very good. I use it for sleep and have used it for moderate pain. The others are correct, when using, it is a hit or miss to sometimes figure out what is the best for you. No professional will recommend a specific type, and so you learn a lot by opinions from others, which, unfortunately, is not always good for you in particular.

[IndieVisible]

This is a new frontier for sure!

Anyone else care to share their opinions or experiences? I have read (on the net) a lot about the benefits, but not so much of the negatives (besides the run of the mill dont do it, its bad) has anyone personally made their bipolar symptoms worsen by using cannabis?

[laikashuman]

I've smoked on a few tomes a week to every six months for many years. When i smoke, my moods are level and i can think clearly and relax and sleep. But i seriously would feel like a melted piece of cheese, floppy and rubbery. So i don't get anything done around the house or any worl or real writing, but i get an overflow of ideas. Right now, i smoke oncr a week or less. I try to save smoking for bad days when I'm really anxious or manic.

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