[Th3reandback]

I wanted to post about my experience to help anybody who has thought about or considered medical marijuana as part of their treatment on a regular basis. There is a lot of mixed information out there, especially concerning mental health and bipolar disorder and its interactions with medical marijuana.

I received my medical marijuana card in the mail today. A very simple process. A brief background of my usage: I smoked daily from ages 16-20, really using any and all strains. I knew them well but did not specifically stick to one kind or another. Last year, I was given Prozac and misdiagnosed with depression. That sent me into an extreme mania and a terrible 3 week psychosis. Doctors told me it was the weed, and others said it was the Prozac. I have now been diagnosed with bipolar 1 and am very stable on lithium. I haven't smoked since that last time last year before I went completely psychotic...until today.

I went to the local dispensary that had the best reviews. They were truly amazing. I got a free gift for my first visit as well. The benefit of medicinal is that all the strains are lab tested off the plant to ensure accurate THC and CBD levels. That way you know exactly what you're getting.

After growing up smoking weed with 20%+ THC and less than 1 percent CBD, I had never been exposed to CBD. THC is the psychoactive component. CBD is the medicinal component. It is the second most abundant cannabinoid in the plant besides THC. It helps counteract the paranoia and anxiety, giving the body a relaxing sensation. There are now medicinal strains available with all CBD and almost no THC. There is no high associated, only body relaxation. It is great for anxiety, which is why I find it beneficial for my disorder. They also have 5:2 CBD dominant, 2:1, 1:1, ect strains available for you to choose from to get a "synergistic effect".

I'll admit though I am very comfortable with marijuana, I was a bit anxious to smoke again for the first time, especially considering some of the information that is out there about smoking after psychosis. I am a little confident knowing my lithium levels are stable and I know my diagnosis/self a lot better now. I would definitely reccomend treating this way only if you are stable on a mood stabilizer, just like a lot of other drugs for bipolar, to be safe. In fact, Dr. Lester Grinspoon, who was the first doctor to ever prescribe lithium as a mood stabilizer, was a Harvard psychiatrist and worked at the Boston mental health clinic for 40 years. He wrote a couple of books on medical marijuana as supplemental treatment to illnesses. His first book was "The Forbidden Medicine", which speaks about medical marijuana as a treatment for mood disorders.

So, I began by lighting up some "Harle-Tsu" cannabis that has 20% CBD and only .6% THC. That way, I can slowly experience what is about to happen and be in control. The CBD is also a proven antipsychotic and anticonvulsant, so I felt safe doing it this way. After a few good size puffs I felt nothing in my head. I was not high at all. I was sober. But my entire chest and body were loose with no anxiety. It's like all of the weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

After 20 minutes, I decided I was ready to try my next strain, "Harlequin" with 6.8% CBD and 3% THC, which is about a 2 to 1 ratio, and VERY low in THC to begin with. After 2 puffs of this, I remembered exactly why I fell in love with Mary in the first place. However, instead of being stoned and stupid, the CBD helped level me out. I was very light and happy. The THC felt great. But the mix of the two was truly medicinal.

As for coming down, it was very smooth. I didn't crash, and I am not permanently schizophrenic or kicked back into psychosis. The high lasted and hour and a half at most. Now I am sober, and feeling relaxed while taking my lithium for the night. All in all, a very good day for me.

I plan on experimenting with mixing some Harle-Tsu with my old favorite "Blue Dream" which has 20% THC. I'm hoping to mix them half and half to experience lower levels of each. I will be slowly increasing THC and keeping high levels of CBD. There is a lot of new experimenting to do!

For anybody who has any questions or comments, please don't hesitate. I will be keeping account of my usage the next couple weeks and will report back on anything I find to be true, at least for myself. Anybody else with experience is certainly welcome to add to this!

Good luck, stay safe and thanks for all the information. I look forward to your updates.

[pirilin]

Dunno if the weed opened your communication skills, or you were very fluid to start with.
I'm impressed with the ease of reading and comprehension. Congrats.
Please, keep us informed of your progress.

[Coconutzo]

Thanks for sharing!
I love them weeds. Though I feel like I'm less informed and careful than you!
I appreciate all of the info!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Th3reandback]

Thank you guys! I am on a two week trip back to my hometown to see friends and family, where weed happens to be completely legal. As I catch up with some old friends, there will be experiences I'll post here...primarily with THC dominant strains. I'll take it slow and report back.

Also, I was sober when I wrote my initial post. Thanks for the compliment, glad it was an easy read.

Stay safe and have fun. I look forward to your report.

I wish they had a marijuana testing job. All the pot you can smoke for free, just keep a journal and we'll keep supplying. Sign me up!

[st0psign]

I get my new pdoc in July or August, hopefully I'll get my card then

[Th3reandback]

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

Stay safe and have fun. I look forward to your report.

I wish they had a marijuana testing job. All the pot you can smoke for free, just keep a journal and we'll keep supplying. Sign me up!

That would be legendary! I'd be down for sure.

With my tolerance back to zero after a whole year, even being a daily smoker in years past, the 3% THC in the harlequin really does get my head high. I'm completely shocked. A year ago my go to strain was 26% THC. I guess it's all about keeping your tolerance where it needs to be. Less is more when you're trying to stay away from mania/psychosis.

[Th3reandback]

So it's been a few days now. I've had the chance to get together with a lot of friends and I have some updates.

The past few days I've began smoking 20% THC and about no CBD strains. It is harder on this side of the country to find CBD at all.

After heavy usage these past few days, along with continuing my lithium and Wellbutrin, I feel very good. My tolerance set in quickly after the first night, so I have been going to the beach and seeing old friends while high and it has all been a blast. Has been great for my anxiety and depression. I've felt no major mood swings, mania, or psychotic features.

I experienced some very mild paranoia for a few minutes the first night, as I was probably overthinking everything. It soon went away and hasn't returned. I still have another week and a half here just on these THC strains, so I'll keep you guys posted on how I feel by the end of my trip. I definitely see the benefit of CBD. Can't wait to get back home and have more access to it.

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you are doing well. Stay safe and keep having fun... It really is what life is about. Stay lifted

Thanks for this, The3eandback! Interested to read about your experience. The Harle-Tsu caught my eye, as I'm wanting to have BF try it, because he's got things it could help with, and doesn't respond well to more usual sorts. (And to try it myself, who has always responded positively to all varieties.
And agreed --Blue Dream is a nice one.)

And Grinspoon. Interesting.

[Th3reandback]

Well, I'm sorry that it's been so long since my last update. I wanted to really give things time so I could give some solid feedback on how it's been working.

This month has been the busiest month I've had since my episode last year. I returned from my trip back to the east coast, and moved into an apartment with my girlfriend. Things have been stressful, but exciting at the same time.

I have been smoking all day, every day just like I used to. I have NOT discontinued my other prescription medications. I still take my Lithium and Wellbutrin daily. I've found it to be simply amazing for stabilizing my mood all day, and helping my other issues like focus/add and ocd. I had to completely furnish and decorate our new apartment myself, and it was a fun and easy process. My mind seems to be able to focus and get things finished more efficiently. As busy as I've been, I feel as though it has helped me relax and get through each day effortlessly. It has truly been a blessing all over again.

I've been using my favorite local dispensary. One of the budtenders is diagnosed with bipolar 1, and he is very knowledgable. I've been staying with indicas and hybrids for use during the day, to keep me relaxed rather than stimulated. Most of my strains are high in THC, and I'm using one CBD strain. I plan to mix my THC strains with a CBD strain very soon to get a more balanced effect. My daily strains right now include Blue Dream, Berry white, Grape Ape, and OG Kush.

Though I enjoy smoking the bud, I'd have to say the most amazing part about all of this has been getting my first oil pen and cartridges. It's a vaporizer that has no smell and does not combust smoke. Great on the lungs and very easy to keep in your pocket all day for discreet dosing Since it is not smoke, it also doesn't make you as tired, and there is far less of a come down. The pen and charger are $10 with a lifetime replacement (I bought a few) and the 100% natural coconut oil extracted thc/cbd cartridges are 40-50 dollars each. Each cartridge is rated for 300 puffs, and works out to be way cheaper than smoking bud all day. You can choose ANY strain as well. I currently and using True OG, Northern Lights, and Harlequin.

If you go online or download the Leafly app, you can look up all of the strains I've listed and search for other similar ones as well. It will show you photos, give THC/CBD percentages, a description of it's background, as well as show other users' reviews. It will also show you a list of the nearest dispensaries that carry that strain on their menu.

Happy toking!