[cjs2019oneida]

What are the benefits and downfalls... which one would ov9erweight the other?

[sweetmadness]

I don't know that there are any benefits when you have schizoaffective. I know some people claimed it helped them temporarily. Most people grow out of it during or after college. I didn't experience anything good from it. It made me more anxious, my muscles tensed and I had difficulty processing information. Sometimes it made me completely psychotic, but in such a way that I couldn't express it. It worsened my depression feelings over time. It worsened my paranoia. It was a false sense of escapism to my problems and trauma, and it's psychoactive so it didn't help me process trauma. There is a lot of push for weed to become legal mostly because of the money people will make from it. But weed itself is not healthy for people. I don't think it's actually healthy at all for anyone, but I don't know any solid statistics or findings that prove it's either/or. I think that it could be used spiritually if in the right environment, as a relaxant or euphoriant but otherwise, to me it's a waste of time.

[worthit]

I would vote for it to be legalized but not for me. I had trouble with it making me more unfocused and had a blackout on it in the 70's. Probably good for anxiety only. Not good for paranoia which I have from sza.

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[AngstyLady]

Originally Posted by sweetmadness

I don't know that there are any benefits when you have schizoaffective. I know some people claimed it helped them temporarily. Most people grow out of it during or after college. I didn't experience anything good from it. It made me more anxious, my muscles tensed and I had difficulty processing information. Sometimes it made me completely psychotic, but in such a way that I couldn't express it. It worsened my depression feelings over time. It worsened my paranoia. It was a false sense of escapism to my problems and trauma, and it's psychoactive so it didn't help me process trauma. There is a lot of push for weed to become legal mostly because of the money people will make from it. But weed itself is not healthy for people. I don't think it's actually healthy at all for anyone, but I don't know any solid statistics or findings that prove it's either/or. I think that it could be used spiritually if in the right environment, as a relaxant or euphoriant but otherwise, to me it's a waste of time.

Interesting, I wouldn't have thought it was something you could grow out of-
this thread did peak pique my interest because I was going to post about how I felt smoking weed increased my symptoms and now that I'm moving away form it (gotten clean) my symptoms are going away, hopefully permanently.

[worthit]

That sounds gratifying.

[IndieVisible]

I don't have a problem legalizing it. I understand for some people it's ok. But not for me. I can't do pot, it makes me worse. I get very paranoid, schizo paranoid! I also hallucinate too. It raises my anxiety levels to dangerous heights. So for me, it would not be good at all. Oddly it has the opposite effect on some people, calms them and relaxes them. Not me unfortunately.

[wiltedflower11]

How long can the paranoia last after smoking weed?

[DePressMe]

There is a lot of research out there about pot. If you look hard enough you can find "support" for the use of it in many illnesses including things like anxiety disorders. However, I think the most conclusive evidence shows it is harmful for a lot of peoples mental & physical health--it causes paranoia, memory deficits, cognitive impairment, emotional instability, depression, social anxiety, lung/mouth/throat/other cancer, respiratory problems, unhealthy eating habits, lack of motivation...etc.

It can lead to financial problems because its expensive and criminal issues because its illegal in most places so there are risks of jail time and a criminal record that could limit employment opportunities. Buying pot on the street supports criminals and crime--a lot of pot is smuggled in from other countries so the purchase of it funds drug lords engaging in international crimes and crimes against humanity such as oppression and even murder. US police officers get injured and killed by drug dealers and smuggling organizations. American jails and prisons have a population of pot users/dealers that cost citizens money and resources to house/feed/care for. There is an enormous amount of tax payer money that goes to the free legal representation of those breaking pot laws and the cost of operating the court system.

Am I innocent? No. I have used pot but I quit because of all the negative aspects of it. It hurt my ability to think/reason/remember, contributed to my paranoia and other psychotic symptoms, increased my depression, caused a lack of motivation...etc. I personally think pot creates more problems than its worth--especially for those who have mental illnesses. Really, I don't think the pot high feels very good--its too much of a downer. I guess its pretty apparent that I'm anti-pot. Everybody has to make their own choices about pot--I just hope they all work out for the best of society and the welfare of each individual.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by wiltedflower11

How long can the paranoia last after smoking weed?

I'm no expert on weed because I don't smoke it, I vape it and use it in other ways. The effects of smoking it depends on the amount and your tolerance levels. If you are having a bad reaction, do your best to relax. It WILL eventually leave your system. Smoking doesn't last as long as edibles. But if you've used too much, you might have a 'hangover' the next day. Go someplace you feel safe and can comfort yourself. No one has ever died from using marijuana alone.

While I don't necessarily agree with everything stated above, I have read some things that say if you're schizophrenic you shouldn't take any. But really, you can probably find some others who say the opposite. If you live in a state where marijuana is illegal, then you don't probably even know what kind (Indica, sativa, hybrid) that you used and that is not good.

Please, if you're going to try it again, do some research and then make an informed choice (if you haven't already). Hope you feel better soon.

[transient]

This will be long, sorry.
From what I know, it's misinformation when people say that it causes depression, social anxiety, schizophrenia, respiratory issues or any form of cancer. It's true that it can aggravate any existing respiratory issues if you're smoking it, rather than eating or vaping it, and it's true that it can aggravate your throat as well. but it does not and cannot cause cancer unless you are smoking it with tobacco mixed in. There is a chemical in weed that actually kills cancer cells, you can read about it if you find the unbiased scientific research on it.
It also doesn't cause any mental health issues. If you are someone with an underlying disorder that you do / don't know about, it can spark those neurons and begin to cause you symptoms, but the weed itself does not cause that. As for the unhealthy eating habits and lack of motivation- that depends on the type of weed you have (indica/ sativa) and the choices you yourself make. Not to mention, it helps a lot of people with PTSD and anxiety, as well as people suffering from ulcers, seizures, and illnesses like cancer. That's one of the main reasons people are trying to legalize it. In fact, my mom, a disabled vet, who knows at least a hundred + other vets, disabled or not, find that smoking a little greatly reduces their PTSD symptoms and anxiety related disorders, and almost all of them smoke.
As for the criminalization of pot- I think it it ridiculous and should be legalized. It is not harmful if used correctly and moderately. Most of the people in jail for it are nonviolent offenders, and the other people (dealers, suppliers) in jail for it are there because the system itself is broken. We should be looking at the whole reason people turn to supplying and selling drugs in the first place, and help prevent people from turning down that road.
Im not anti pot obvs. because I believe it's everyone's choice what goes in or on their body, and that includes drug use as long as they aren't hurting anyone else. I'm not going to keep going on about this, as this wasn't what the OP asked.

I've always had a love-hate relationship with pot. I've hallucinated pretty intensely on it in my earlier years, and I've been able to relax on it and get a different point of view on my problems that I wouldn't have been able to get without it. It was a nice escape when it needed to be, and it was a nice stress reliever when I needed it to be. (Everybody needs a method to forget, and everybody needs a method to remember. Escaping can be healthy sometimes.)
For a time, it did help with my PTSD and anxiety a LOT. I was able to socialize more than I ever would have without it, and I definitely didn't judge myself as harshly as I did when I was sober. Using it, I was able to discover parts of myself that I didn't know were there, getting a more complete picture of the person I was, am, and might become.
My problem was that I have an addictive personality (I can easily become an alcoholic etc due to genes). I used it more and more- both due to wanting to escape the thoughts of my problems and life completely, and because I was somewhat pressured by people I was close to and gave in easily to them. As I used it more often, my psychotic symptoms became more prominent, though I wouldn't figure this out until after quitting. As I used it and the negative things going on around me- being pressured, being depressed, stress from many directions- I started to lose my grip on myself. My anxiety became extremely difficult to control, and toward the last few months of use my delusional/ out of touch thinking got worse... I wouldn't be able to be around anyone and would go to my room until I wasn't high. I'd have to comfort myself because it was too stressful being so anxious and [seriously] tripping out over silly things. Depending on how high I got, the paranoia could come and go, or last shortly compared to my anxiety. If I was alone in the house sometimes the paranoia would lead to hallucinations, or if I listened to music... but that was when I smoked heavily.
The last time I got high I remember pretty clearly, and it put me off of it. I haven't smoked for a whole year and half now, and I've done my best to enjoy myself without it.

Granted, I found this thread because I was jonesing to smoke again.. If I decide to, I won't get high, probably just take one hit and leave it at that. Getting high might be a lot of people's problems- if they just took a few hits and kept it at a level they can handle, I'm sure there's be a lot less people overeating, feeling anxious, etc etc.

The main thing is: Everyone has different experiences with marijuana, and drugs, just like people experience daily sober life differently. If you want to smoke, read other people's experiences that don't have any mental illnesses, and some with the illnesses you might share. Know how to cope, just like you should know how to cope if you get too stressed or hallucinate, etc. Know your limits, know when you are in a healthy enough mindset to smoke, and be comfortable / have comforting things nearby. I find a shower really helps
There are also resources online for people having a difficult experience with it, or you can just search how to help.

[deeronjepsuhn]

I read here that you are six times more likely to develop a mental illness if you have the gene and regularly smoke marijuana. Go figure.

I, have been using marijuana rather regularly since 17-18. I'm now 21, and I got the illness at 19. I think it may be true, but I don't know. I would only quit over my memory being bothered. And I may, who knows. But a lot of my friends do it, and I want to do drugs until an age like 23-24 and then I want to quit. But I don't really do any drug use other than pot. My party days are over at the moment sort of. Atleast my hardcore party days, ahh the memories.

[The One Here]

I have been diagnosed as schizoaffective. I found the cannabidiol (CBD) extract to be an EXTREMELY affective antipsychotic. I am completely off of prescription antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antideppressants now. It also has been helpful with getting rid of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My psychotherapist actually told me about this non psychoactive cannabinoid. Unlike tetrohydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not cause one to "get high" or feel euphoric. It's also used to affectively treat dementia, seizures, cancer, pain, and other conditions. Also, CBD has neuroprotective and neuroregenative qualities!

CBD products sold without THC are legally accessible in all 50 states. I didn't even need a medical marijuana recommendation from a doctor.

I have found that by taking 2500mg of cbd rich hemp oil tincture, I have been able completely eliminate some symptoms and bring others down to a whisper. And I only notice my hallucinations if I focus on them really hard. Some people have been able to completely eliminate their symptoms.

Do your research if want to find an alternative to neuroleptic medication with little to no side affects. I did it because I don't believe in most western drugs and also because the side affects we're disabling me and even throwing into further psychosis.

[kala83]

I personally do smoke but don't do it that often and have issues with it simply due to it being illegal still in the states.

For me I find the experience most often relaxing and soothing and makes me a lot calmer then I normally feel.

I do realize that others that smoke have different experiences but that was not the case for me when I did it.

For me I find the topic debatable simply cause yes you can get hooked on it, can be harmful to you...but honestly if we were to be realistic and take a good hard look at the meds we are on (if you are) don't they potentially do that and some? doesn't going out having a drink potentially put someone at risk for later less healthier effects.

In my opinion there are a lot of things out in the world that can do damage to a human being already I don't get why there is a stigma about a perfectly natural plant.

[Marshellette]

Made my symptoms so much worse. I could not remember anything after smoking weed. I would wear shirts inside out and leave stuff frying the microwave.

[Djinn8]

Speaking as a sufferer of Schizotypal, I find that weed brings on psychosis. However, that can be a good thing as sometimes I need the breakdown to prevent the bigger one that's brewing. It resets the clock, so to speak. The psychosis brought about by smoking weed is much more temporary, and while intense, is nowhere near as damaging to me as the deep end of my sober delusional state. Left sober for two long I will find myself eating poorly, not sleeping, retreating from society and binging on cigarettes and caffeine. Smoking weeds is like taking a holiday. Shame it's often a day trip to hell.

[sandersdillion948]

I had a psychotic break in 2009 and was very homicidal, I was brought in by the police peacefully to a mental hospital and put on anti psychotic medications. I had problems with psychosis starting in my early teens, I am 30 now. Being passive aggressive I am prone to bottling up my emotions and then exploding. I started smoking pot everyday after I got out of the hospital, I feel that it really helped me process a lot of things that happen to me growing up and to deal with them in a peaceful-non-violent way, through marijuana and spirituality.
How marijuana effects you though is different with each strain. Some relax you and make you a couch potato, some strains give you energy and you want to go for long walks. I would recommend Jack Herer, it is very motivating, you will want to clean the house and do something productive. We are sick we when don't want to leave the house, are paranoid about answering the door or the phone and don't want to be social.
It's because of smoking pot that I have a good group of friends, they all smoke too, we do smoke sessions to enya and dead can dance music. I hate to say that mental illness is a gift, but we can use our experiences to help other people, and when you smoke you can get deep into though and process things. I find street weed to be stoner weed, increasing my paranoia and ptsd symptoms.

[lookingforanswersmt]

Originally Posted by The One Here

I have been diagnosed as schizoaffective. I found the cannabidiol (CBD) extract to be an EXTREMELY affective antipsychotic. I am completely off of prescription antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antideppressants now. It also has been helpful with getting rid of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My psychotherapist actually told me about this non psychoactive cannabinoid. Unlike tetrohydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not cause one to "get high" or feel euphoric. It's also used to affectively treat dementia, seizures, cancer, pain, and other conditions. Also, CBD has neuroprotective and neuroregenative qualities!

CBD products sold without THC are legally accessible in all 50 states. I didn't even need a medical marijuana recommendation from a doctor.

I have found that by taking 2500mg of cbd rich hemp oil tincture, I have been able completely eliminate some symptoms and bring others down to a whisper. And I only notice my hallucinations if I focus on them really hard. Some people have been able to completely eliminate their symptoms.

Do your research if want to find an alternative to neuroleptic medication with little to no side affects. I did it because I don't believe in most western drugs and also because the side affects we're disabling me and even throwing into further psychosis.

We've been doing our research, but are confused by the amount required to get relief. There are pasty cbd extracts and then there are oil tinctures. Are you saying that you are ingesting 2500mg of cbd daily? Isn't that highly expensive? In what form are you using? On the websites I saw, 2500mg costs over $500. Please help?

[ajsouthpaw]

It made me paranoid, anxious, freaked out, terrified. I would literally sit in a chair and not move, afraid to make a sound. I was convinced the sound would be heard by everyone everywhere and somehow this would be bad. I smoked for almost 20 years and it got worse and worse and worse. but i have an addictive personality and craved those few moments of the high when i felt mellow and good and chatty and creative and the PTSD seemed to disappear and psychosis, what's that? I've been clean two years now and only now do i realize how psychotic I was all those years, delusional, sometimes hallucinating. I'm not against pot. People should make their own informed choices. But i am against pot for me. It is just bad news. Even though I wish I could still smoke it sometimes and make everything go away again, i know it won't and I'll just get worse and end up in the hospital or lost forever. Sober is good for me, though sometimes more difficult, but it is closer to my reality, which is better with schizoaffective. Good luck.

[worthit]

I also have PTSD and schizoaffective. Weed actually hash in Europe made it very bad. I blacked out for a time without consciousness. I don't know if my eyes were open or closed if I was sitting up or lying down. I lost everything. That scared me so much because of the lack of control, that I stopped it forever. That was in the 70's. Its just not good for me. I agree it should be legalized for other people but its not good for my illness.

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[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by cjs2019oneida

What are the benefits and downfalls... which one would ov9erweight the other?

For me:

Pros: none

Cons: I fear it will trigger a full blown psychotic episode and wipe out all the progress I've made. I'm very sensitive to weed. I don't smoke it, but many times before my recent severe episodes I have been around people smoking it. I felt an ominous heaviness, and strange like I was standing outside my body. It pushed my paranoia buttons and I found myself becoming very distrustful of others. I just don't like where those experiences lead, so I steer well clear of weed now.

[dmhobbit]

Originally Posted by cjs2019oneida

What are the benefits and downfalls... which one would ov9erweight the other?

I usually partake every few months and find it quite relaxing and just enjoy being outside and people watching. I don't get paranoid just very quite and thoughtful. I had some good kind yesterday and had to put down the laptop i was on and just sat back and enjoyed the music from the radio and couldn't get up to go to the store but just sat quietly and enjoyed the calmness and loss of any anxiety. I know some people get tense, more anxious, and even paranoid but my childhood of the 60's was in the 90's when i did it every day. once in a while now seems to help me slow down my brain from the daily onslaught of mania better than xanax and *as always* everybody's brain chemistry is different... what may be a pleasant and positive experience for me may not be for you my dear reader. I hope to move to phoenix next year and get on the medicinal plan and hope to reduce some of my psych meds.

Comments and Conversation Welcome.

[sandersdillion948]

For me, it depends what I am doing at the time. I like to smoke and hangout with friends and listen to music... in that settings I don't get the anxiety I get if I smoke alone. I am working a lot out with my therapist, but if I smoke alone, i spend ALOT of time deep in thought, I seem to be able to pick the entire situation apart and come to a conclusion analytically. I have been though a lot of $hit and I think smoking pot helps me process it all without wanting to kill some of those people. I never got suicidal, I always got homicidal. Weed has made me a lot happier, I have confidence, I have a social life and I got back in school, all because of weed.

When it comes to psychosis, I don't think it caused my SZ, I was delusional and hallucinating since I was very young, it went seemingly unnoticed as I never told anyone about it, i just thought it was normal for everyone else too, I guess not!

I do think it can exacerbate anything you are feeling, thinking, etc, though. I only smoke if I am in a good mood otherwise it puts me in more of a bad mood. All my 5 of my psychiatrists advised me again smoking pot, I never smoked as a kid and only started to smoke in the past 3 or 4 years, I process all my thoughts in peace, and after having am auditory hallucination yesterday in the woods while i was fishing. I turned around to respond and there was noone there...just trees... it messed with my head, then i smoked and laugh that it happened, rather than be upset. I laugh at anyone who tries to sell me that there is noone there, I heard them, there was someone there, just like there was someone in my apartment that scared the @hit out of my dog that she was shaking badly and very nervous. But you get the point.

[Adela Esquivel]

Originally Posted by The One Here

I have been diagnosed as schizoaffective. I found the cannabidiol (CBD) extract to be an EXTREMELY affective antipsychotic. I am completely off of prescription antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antideppressants now. It also has been helpful with getting rid of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My psychotherapist actually told me about this non psychoactive cannabinoid. Unlike tetrohydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not cause one to "get high" or feel euphoric. It's also used to affectively treat dementia, seizures, cancer, pain, and other conditions. Also, CBD has neuroprotective and neuroregenative qualities!

CBD products sold without THC are legally accessible in all 50 states. I didn't even need a medical marijuana recommendation from a doctor.

I have found that by taking 2500mg of cbd rich hemp oil tincture, I have been able completely eliminate some symptoms and bring others down to a whisper. And I only notice my hallucinations if I focus on them really hard. Some people have been able to completely eliminate their symptoms.

Do your research if want to find an alternative to neuroleptic medication with little to no side affects. I did it because I don't believe in most western drugs and also because the side affects we're disabling me and even throwing into further psychosis.

Hello, Thank you for this great information. Could you please tell me the brand of the tincture you used and if you are still getting good results, how often do you take it? Thanks, again! Adele

[chasms]

i was at the point where my anxiety and depression were so bad i would have to smoke weed every day. sometimes multiple times a day. im currently in hospital though so i cant but it did make my paranoia worse at some points and its certainly impacted my already bad memory

[heartofkurtz]

Weed makes me very paranoid around other people, I had to be alone most of the time when i smoked, I destroyed the best relationship Ive been in because I acted like a weirdo on it to my ex girl. She said I was weird and shes right.

Weird = paranoid, fearful, unable to communicate, too many thoughts.

I was also prone to temper tantrums. I got angry a lot when I wasnt stoned during the 2 year long period I smoked in adulthood. I did and said many things I regret to loved ones. (girlfriend and parents)

Ive been clean off weed for two months, feel much steadier, solid and mentally stable. I dont miss it anymore, it took a year from the point I realized I should quit to finally quiting. The first 6 weeks detoxing off was brutal, was going crazy and very paranoid. Now I feel better than I have in a long time.

one other thing: Im a musician trying to get to next stage in the business. Weed made music very intense, psychedlic and intensly enjoyable. The problem with that is I wasnt motivated to practice since I didnt need to to be gratified. Since I quit weed there has been much more practice. Less Dreaming, More Doing.

So for me, there is overwhelming evidence that I should stay away from weed for good. Its done so much damage, the damage has been painful and I want the lessons learned to applied. The pain would be a total waste if I didnt make the changes.