Marijauna Vs Ativan

My new drug doctor told me i should quit smoking weed,i can understand her wanting that its illegal and all. I told her it really relaxes me tho when im stressed. She said the problem with that is i wont find good ways to help me relax. Hey that makes sense too,,then she prescribes me ativan(which im really happy about,dont get me wrong). Why is it bad to use pot to help me to relax my anxieties but ativan is perfectly acceptable? Arnt they both making me not to learn how to relax without a drug? Both are addicting so the only thing i see as different is one is illegal. But since i never buy it,,never smoke with anyone but one or two people and hardly ever leave the house my odds of getting in trouble legally for it are pretty slim wouldnt ya say? Just want to hear some opinions. I smoke maybe once or twice a week,,,and she told me i could take the ativan once or twice a week so its not any difference there either.

For what it's worth, I completely agree with you. It is beyond me why pot is illegal and alcohol isn't. The disadvantages I see about pot are:
- it is a carcinogen and ativan is not
- it impairs your focus (driving, working) and while ativan can also do those things, its production and quality testing are controlled, as opposed to pot (but, of course, if it weren't illegal, then some manufacturing and quality regulations could be imposed...)

I agree with you Shaymus. Sounds stupid, doesn't it? Well, I can't add much to this other than another bit of information that was given to my mother (marijuana smoker for 29 years, including throughout her five pregnancies) is that it is a hallucinogen too. She has bouts of psychosis so that's not really helping things. However, as LMo said if it were legal there would be more regulation and controlled studies. I think it's just not been studied enough and no scientific data has been collected other than the "down" side of it. They say that it's a carcinogen (so is tobacco, which I'm addicted to), they say it impairs your ability to make rational decisions (so does alcohol, which I never drink) and can cause memory loss (so is this Prozac I'm taking, which is completely legal) While I do not partake of the herb, I still have my opinions on the legalization of it. I think if there was a way to tax it, it'd be legal. Look at the cigarettes. However, it's hard for anyone (me included) to indulge or condone illegal behaviors. Especially docs.

Ok I probably got way off topic but just had to comment.

Take Care

Yeah, and that's the thing -- from what little I know about Ativan, it can also cause hallucinations, is highly addictive (unlike pot), and can impair your focus. So I see Shaymus's point about why is Ativan ok and pot not. Except for the standardization -- that's my only anti-pot argument.

Editing...
Actually, I just thought of another one. This is an interesting topic. I'm against any kind of self-medication for people who suffer from depression or anxiety. I would never want my fiance (who has both) to self-medicate on alcohol, marijuana, or to take his meds without regular check-ins with his psychiatrist. If he were to self-medicate with pot, and it wasn't being monitored by his pdoc, then I would think it's a bad idea.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now

Edited...
Sorry. No I'm not. Although I am a recreational pot-smoker and my fiance rarely partakes, I'm now thinking about other people I know. Let's say you're someone who can't hold a job, or whose job sujects you to drug tests. Pot would jeopardize your career, which would be stupid. Or who has trouble getting motivated. Or generally doesn't have your life together. In these cases, pot is a VERY bad idea but monitored doses of Ativan might be a good idea. So, hypocritical though it sounds coming from me, I think maybe I *don't* advocate pot-smoking in most cases. If you have your act together and you're not smoking out of boredom or reality-escape, then that's fine but if not...

Edited again, the last time, I promise:
Then again, if pot were legal then the drug testing thing wouldn't be a concern. I have known some people who have job-applying or job-keeping anxiety, and they smoke their way out of dealing with it. I also wouldn't advocate pot-smoking for anyone under 18.

Hi, Shaymus.

Take a look at these websites: www.marijuana.com and http://www.geocities.com/medicalmari...forvictory.htm
Hopefully you'll be able to make up your mind about it.

I beg to differ: there is plenty of information available and scientific studies on the subject.

oi Saudade -- obrigada

You two make really great points. Thanks for the links saudade

I have to say I agree with most of what Lmo said. Ofcourse, my brother who smoked it had no motivation so it just made things worse (untreated schizophrenia) I don't smoke it now, but at one time was a recreational smoker as well. Right now, I'm trying to help myself out of depression and anxiety disorders, so I won't take anything but Prozac and Xanax.

I unequivocably agree that marijuana should be legalized. I also have no doubt (not even an inkling) if the government thought they could properly tax it, we'd be smoking it in cigarette form right this very moment.

I believe in the benefits of marijuana for someone over 18 (and NOT pregnant) who is dealing with issues with pain, major anxiety, terminal illnesses or who have exhausted every other medication there is and nothing helps. It does help alot of people.

I just think most times, as for me personally, it was a way to escape the stress of life. In that case, it can be bad.

This is quite an interesting topic.

Take Care all!

Actually, the conclusion I have now come to is that it should be illegal for everyone except me! hahahahhahahhaha

LMo <-- who lives in a state where medical marijuana is legal

Ok this is my opinion and I hope that it does not change the way that others view me on this board. I smoke a lot more then you do Shaymus and have found good and bad with it.
-It does lower anxiety (for some people, other it can raise it)
-Second marijuana is not physically addictive!! All these government commericials are crap. While it can be psychologically addictive it has never been proven to be physically addictive.
-It is a carcinogen...but that can be helped by using a humidifier. My best friend fought a battle with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and her doctor told her to buy one to smoke pot in before chemo!! It filters the smoke so she was only smoking the THC and not the chemicals. It also raised her appetite so she could eat.

Please do not get me wrong. I do not agree with self medicating in all cases, but I feel like marijuana can provide good benefits in some cases. I completely agree that the proper research should be done before any decisions were made....but do not always listen to those drug free commercials on TV. They are filled with slander and lies most of the time...it is all about the $$$$$$.

Jessica

I sit on both sides of this argument... it sure would help some ppl with MS.... and as with all drugs, those who abuse will use anything!

However, marijuana does cause chemical changes within the body... permanent type causing men to become more effeminate... and causing impotence... but like look at the side effects of some of the meds we take legally!

This is a tough issue. If you have someone who is willing to help you and asks that you quit, besides it being against the law to use, I would think that would weight the issue greatly to that side.

Hi,

I really do not know where I stand on the issue of Marijuanna vs. Ativan. Other than Marijuana is illegal and if prescribed, Ativan is Legal.

I do know that prior to my breakdown in 1994, I was a I was a recreational Smoker (Marijuana) and did not have any problem with it.

Then after my Hospitalization was placed on different psych medications, some being antipsychotics as well as Valium.

For some reason after started the meds, the marijuanna caused me extreme paranoia and the opposite of what it once caused me to feel.

I was told that in some cases with Mentally Ill persons that it induced psychosis or intensified the illness. So I gave it up in 1998 because it caused me mental distress.

However the Valium (Cousin to Ativan) was Started in 1994 and while stopping Marijuana had no withdrawls for me, as now 2004, 10 years after I started Valium, I am still on it. They have tried so many times to reduce the max dose I am on, only physically they have had to put me back up on the dose of Valium.

So now, after 10 years on Benzo am unable to even be taperd off without horrible withdrawls. So I guess even if legal, I would not smoke it, and though legal, I am dependant on Benzo's which can not be abused as I would have convulsions if stopped suddenly. So either way doesn't seem one way or another, both can have negative results.

Peace~

I think that marijuana might caused some complications with mixing with antidepressants (or other prescription drugs) with some people. I had a friend that had to stop smoking after he injured his back and had to go on Perkasets and Valium...he started to become very anxious and paranoid whenever he did smoke.
I can understand how mixing meds with drugs can have complications and that is why I say it is not for everyone.

Jessica

I have experience with both. Here's my take for what its worth.

A versus M

A is addictive (if large doses are taken over long periods)
M is not

A does not make you gain weight
M can (if you get the munchies, etc.)

A is legal
M is not

A has no taste
M does (this is a pro or con depending if you like to smoke)

A is not linked to cander
M is

A could be used to excess causing overdose (if you wanted it to)
M would be difficult if not impossible to overdose on

Personally I do not smoke marijuana because it is illegal and I did not enjoy it enough to risk any encounter with the law. If you're going to break the law, make sure its worth it.

I won't give lectures or views on the "weed" topic, been there and done all that stuff back in the day, but the difference pertaining to health, physically speaking, you decrease the chances of lung disorders or even cancer, lungs and the brain are greatly affected, unfortunately, I am not promoting drug use but ativan may be much safer if one has to make a choice. I personally find Ativan helpful, and if people use it as prescribed and do not abuse it, they will not get addicted, like anything else, if a person doesn't follow directions then they cannot blame anyone but themselves negative outcome.
Just my 2 cents.

Take care of yourself, I wish you luck with this dilemma.



DE

Well, Ativan is highly addicting after only one week. Pot is not. There are different strains of marijuana (cannabis) some has high THC and will make you feel stoned or high. Cannabis oil has the THC removed, so what you get is relaxed and sleepy but not stoned. Check out Compassion Clubs in your area. Your doctor is pushing Ativan because she/he gets kickbacks. It is really as simple as that. Big Pharma loves to push their horrible pills with no regard for what it is doing, and believe me, Ativan does much harm. You start out with 1 mg, then you find you have to increase it because you build a tolerance. The drug companies count on this. Ask your doctor what the withdrawal symptoms are for Ativan. They are pretty awful. I am going through that right now. I have gotten off of other big pharma garbage and will get off of this. I use cannabis oil to help smooth out the rough spots. Without cannabis oil it would be way worse. The cannabis helps me sleep at night because I am reducing the ativan slowly, and of course my body wants the ativan. Cannabis oil is not addictive. It also really helps with any pain which is why cancer patients take it.

Your doctor telling you that you 'won't really find ways to relax' is completely convoluted and makes no sense. Why is she giving you Ativan then? Does she make any money from your smoking pot, which relaxes you? Nope. Contrary to some opinions, pot does NOT lead to taking other drugs, it does not lead to violence...it leads to a feeling of calm. Pot smokers are the peace niks of the 60s. If you don't want to get stoned, try the strains that don't have THC. You'll still be relaxed but will be able to function. Try taking small doses of cannabis oil first and build up to what is comfortable for you. Get it from a reputable person, like a Compassion Club. I'm not a doctor and I can't advise you. I only know what works for me. I also know doctors do not have your best interests at heart. The bottom line for them is $$$ and big pharma kickbacks for pushing their garbage pills.

Pot is not legal in some places because the big pharmaceutical companies cannot patent something that grows, literally, like a weed. If it helps you, take it and forget the Ativan. Just my opinion. Anyone else have some thoughts on this?

Interestingly, cannabis oil does not make you gain weight. Also, women for some reason tend to not get the munchies like guys.

Cannabis oil actually has been researched and early studies show that it can slow or stop cancer growth. Now you can expect the BIG PHARMAS to not agree with this or fund studies for obvious reasons. Why would they do studies on something they cannot market? They cannot market something that grows like a weed and can be grown anywhere. There are different types of marijuana. Some have high THC (what gets you stoned) others do not. Cannabis oil does not have THC in it, but it has cannabinoids which help so much with pain for cancer patients. Many people prefer to take cannabis oil capsules rather than smoke it or use a vaporizer. I am using it to help alleviate symptoms of ativan withdrawal. The oil helps me sleep as well as relieve any pain I have.

There was a time when alcohol was prohibited, you may recall from reading history. It was illegal. But the powers that be discoverd they could make money from taxing booze. So now it's legal. Marijuana has gotten a bad rap for no good reason except from people who associate it with long haired hippies from the 60s, and from big pharma who make zero money off of pot because you cannot prohibit people from growing their own, anymore than you could stop people from making moonshine. Marijuana is legal/decriminilized in several states and provinces. Colorado and Calif have made it legal as well as Washington DC. It is a godsend for cancer patients, as anyone who has witnessed someone suffering from cancer has seen. I highly recommend the cannabis oil because it has no THC so you do not get stoned. It comes in gelatin caps. There are no side effects, except pain relief and relaxation. Ativan is a horrible drug with tons of side effects. It is very difficult to get off of. Cannabis oil and marijuana are not addictive, contrary to what you may have heard from propaganda. I don't feel the need to take cannabis oil. I only take it when I get withdrawal symptoms from nasty Ativan, which I will be withdrawing from for at least the next 20 WEEKS. Now, you tell or show me anyone who has to withdraw from marijuana, which has no addictive quality, does not lead to taking other drugs and has and is helping so many people. I will NEVER take an RX again after I am done with this $hit. It does more harm than good and the only people that benefit from Ativan are the drug pushers called doctors and of course, Big Pharma.

Actually Ativan can cause cancer as well as Zopiclone. I found this out by looking at a chart which I can try to find again. I believe it was known carcinogens...perhaps if you type that in google you could find it.

Alcohol was prohibited in the 20s until the early 30s until FDR became President and then it was up to each state to decide to legalize it. Remember history and moonshine? Marijuana is going the same way; Calif,Colorado, Washington DC have legalized it. Other states will follow. Suck it up, Big Pharma Alcohol and marijuana really cannot be compared. As I have said, there are different strains of marijuana and different amount of THC. Marijuana can be made into butter or oil and if you google it, you can find out how to make cannabis oil capsules with no THC - so ya don't get stoned, just relaxed...people with cancer find cannabinoid oil a godsend as it relieves pain but they can still function.

BTW, marijuana is grown in a 'controlled' environment in a cave somewhere in Saskatchewan, which is in Canada, but it is GMO'd. Just because Ativan is processed in a drug factory does not mean it is safe. Ever read the list of side effects? Withdrawals? Big Pharma WANTS you to be hooked on their drugs because obviously it means moola in their pockets. Don't believe the negative hype you hear about marijuana and if you have not tried cannabis oil I suggest you give it a try before you knock it. At least I don't need 20 fekking weeks to withdraw from cannabis oil like I am doing getting off of sucky Ativan

[QUOTE=darkeyes;44582]I won't give lectures or views on the "weed" topic, been there and done all that stuff back in the day, but the difference pertaining to health, physically speaking, you decrease the chances of lung disorders or even cancer, lungs and the brain are greatly affected, unfortunately, I am not promoting drug use but ativan may be much safer if one has to make a choice. I personally find Ativan helpful, and if people use it as prescribed and do not abuse it, they will not get addicted, like anything else, if a person doesn't follow directions then they cannot blame anyone but themselves negative outcome.
Just my 2 cents.

Take care of yourself, I wish you luck with this dilemma.

Thanks for your input! However...did you know that ativan is addictive after only one week? It is a dangerous drug and is or will be classified along with opioids. The problem with ativan is that no one starts out to abuse it, but you build up a tolerance. So you have to increase the dose. There lies the danger. You can google sites that discuss benzo withdrawal...it can cause seizures and a host of serious, life threatening problems if not withdrawn in a safe manner by a pharmacy and your doctor.

I am in the process of getting off of Ativan and it will take me at least 19 or 20 WEEKS. I did not abuse it. That is how long it takes if you want to quit.

I suggest you check out cannabinoids on google. A lot has changed since you puffed the magic dragon way back then. THC can be removed just leaving the good stuff like pain relief, relaxation and you don't get addicted like people do to ativan. Benzos are a huge problem and if you think they are just a little innocent pill, please google benzo withdrawal and see the horror stories from people who took it as prescribed. As I did. You won't hear horror stories about cannabis withdrawal that contains no THC. If you find such a story I would like to read it.

You are not first one who comes with this story!

"Your drugs is BAD! Here is drug that is thousand times more addictive and more rough on the body!" It's so sad it's ridiculous.

(of course, if you smoke pot.... your doctor and Pharma loses).

Ativan is now generic..has been for a long time. It's called lorazepam.There are no "kickbacks" for generics.

A general question for those on the thread: Have your medical practitioners prescribed non medication treatments? Fish oil supplements, exercise, psychotherapy? Meditation? I'm fortunate in that both my primary doctor and psychiatrist are both very well rounded in this respect. Are these options that you are open to?

I find the medication overprescription crisis has factors coming from multiple sides. 15 minute appointments are not enough time to provide quality mental health management for one, and so people are rushed out to quickly with a prescription. On the other side there are also plenty of patients who "don't need" therapy or "don't have time" to exercise, but can they try the medication? No judgement intended, just curious about adding that aspect to the discussion

I thought I'd share my own experiences with marijuana vs benzos. I'm on the medical marijuana program here in New Mexico, and (when I can afford to buy it) it's wonderful. It really helps with my anxiety and PTSD. The only drawback in my situation is that insurance will pay for benzos, but it won't pay for pot.

I also have a clonazepam prescription for when I can't afford pot, but it takes so long to work that my panic attack is over by the time it kicks in. Very frustrating! Then again, it does give me a chance to use the calming and grounding methods my T suggests. Ativan works much more quickly, but when I was taking it, I could see how addictive it was.

Given the choice, I much prefer marijuana over benzos.

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