[Retnick]

My depression is a little unique because it's infused with severe chronic head pain that I've been carrying around 24:7 for 3 years. No traditional antidepressants/painkillers have helped. I have tried lots of alternatives like tms therapy ($ thousands down the drain), meditation and yoga. Nothing doing.

I mention the two treatments from the title because I just purchased a vaporizer and am seriously looking into them. Can someone who has TRIED these options please leave feedback? Thanks

You might want to look/search in this part of the forum:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/other-treatments/

[laracroft3]

Weed has helped me so much with anxiety. But you don't want to become dependent on something either. I would say use it sparingly.

Weed can do the reverse as well, and in the long-term make the anxiety worse. Not to mention, make you paranoid, has been proven to have a link with schizophrenia. But I realise there is a stronger strain called skunk that may have more risk. Maybe milder strains are ok.

[Retnick]

Originally Posted by SapphireRed

Weed can do the reverse as well, and in the long-term make the anxiety worse. Not to mention, make you paranoid, has been proven to have a link with schizophrenia. But I realise there is a stronger strain called skunk that may have more risk. Maybe milder strains are ok.

I tried street weed once before, i believe it was indica and it actually made my pain and tinnitus worse temporarily. I definitely need the guidance of a doctor.

Also, I really, really don't care about the risk, I have a severe case and like I stated before nothing else has helped me. It's either get better soon or just plain not exist. Couldn't care less if I get schizophrenic ten years down the road, I won't live that long otherwise anyway

'street weed' is not the same as medicinal. It can actually increase your anxiety to the point of psychosis and paranoia.

There are multiple medicinal strains but they generally break down into two types:

a higher CBD - is the pain relieving, anti-anxiety, anti-nausea, muscle relaxant variety
a higher THC - is the 'high' and is sometimes used as an anti-depressant.

As you can see, you take a strain that is predominantly one or the other unknowingly and that can be a recipe for disaster.

[Retnick]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

'street weed' is not the same as medicinal. It can actually increase your anxiety to the point of psychosis and paranoia.

There are multiple medicinal strains but they generally break down into two types:

a higher CBD - is the pain relieving, anti-anxiety, anti-nausea, muscle relaxant variety
a higher THC - is the 'high' and is sometimes used as an anti-depressant.

As you can see, you take a strain that is predominantly one or the other unknowingly and that can be a recipe for disaster.

Thanks for piping in. Looks like you know what you're talking about.
Yeah, on the surface higher cbd seems like the appropriate option, but I'll probably try both once I get my card.
Is street weed really that unsafe though? Just out of curiosity. When I tried it, my friend looked at it to confirm that it was pure weed, so nothing was mixed in.
I'm going to stick to medicinal regardless.

[mobiusmoon]

Originally Posted by Retnick

Thanks for piping in. Looks like you know what you're talking about.
Yeah, on the surface higher cbd seems like the appropriate option, but I'll probably try both once I get my card.
Is street weed really that unsafe though? Just out of curiosity. When I tried it, my friend looked at it to confirm that it was pure weed, so nothing was mixed in.
I'm going to stick to medicinal regardless.

Hi Retnick!

It looks like Justafriend does know what they're talking about and have laid out the foundation for the information you're looking for. I'll just add my two cents since I do use marijuana myself for, I guess, a few reasons. I very very rarely drink beer/alcohol. Maybe a glass of wine every now and then, but I smoke/vape/eat an edible a couple times a week, depending on my situation and if I have the means to make brownies or get a gummy bear.

I should note that I'm not from a state where it is legal yet (although the governor just passed an underwhelming and strict bill for medical though). I have been to states where it is legal and am familiar with that broad, information-laden selection of options. (Which is why, if it's legal, there is not nearly as much confusion surrounding this medicine, but I digress...)

While visiting WA state (so beautiful, my fiance and I are planning on moving there in the next couple years) we had our first chance to try the CBD-dominant strains and the CBD mints/edibles. My fiance often has issues with the THC-dominant strains we get from our local dealer and to be honest, I occasionally do as well.

Which brings me to "street weed". Ultimately, yes they can laced with something, though I've never run into that. I guess the main issue I see with that is you don't know what strain you're getting. You're best bet is to just know the difference between indicas (more calming, body-based buzz, w/ potential anxiety reduction, etc.) and sativas (more of the stoned buzz, with more of a focus on the mind just having creative, wild thoughts, could potentially raise anxiety if used too much or in wrong setting).

Honestly, with the CBD oil, that might be your go to for anxiety reduction, it may depend on the amount you have to take of course. And with the actual medicinal marijuana, you could maybe reserve that for situations when you're at home and just trying to relax, and hopefully it can help alleviate the pain.

My sister has RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and in states where it is legal medicinally, it is prescribed for that. It is often prescribed as an edible though because of the unique effects edible marijuana has on the body. Ingesting it creates even more of a pain relieving effect, but ABSOLUTELY should not be taken lightly. I say this not to dissuade you but just so you are aware that the effects of edibles last 4 - 6 hours and possibly more. You absolutely will feel it in your body as the effects set in. From what I've found, edibles are often the easiest to over do because after consumption, the effects do not set in until 30min - 1hour and some people may eat more thinking they are not working and then WHAM, it kicks in and it can either feel great or it can be too much. If you find that sweet spot, the edibles may be the way to go.

If you are getting your medical card, I'm sure the employees at your dispensary will be more than happy to help.

Do you mind shedding more light on what your chronic head pain is from?

[Retnick]

Thank you mobiusmoon for your informed reply.

My head pain was originally your standard head heaviness, which many people with depression complain about. However, just over 3 years ago I experienced a major life stressor and that's when the heaviness intensified to the point of becoming pain. It has only progressed since then.

I've had two MRIs, nothing found. And it's not ptsd, I've seen a specialist who confirmed that for me. I don't think about the stressor anymore. The head pain has nothing to do with migraines either. Most doctors I have seen think it's related to the depression, though naturally I can't know for certain.
The pain fluctuates throughout the day in intensity but is always there.

Anyway, I appreciate your insight. I actually just had the chance to try cbd oil yesterday with a vaporizer and let me tell you, the pain has already loosened a bit. Unbelievable, it did more in a few hours than three years of painkillers have. I can't wait to see what medical weed might do. Although I've been disappointed so often before that I should reserve judgment.