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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 32 to 56 of 56. Go back in thread:
Posted by Declan on April 11, 2006, at 1:09:32
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by ghuber on April 10, 2006, at 22:01:44
I wonder if it's good for people who are a bit manic. Something to break up that linear amphetaminey mentality. There was someone who became manic after discontinuing heavy use for many years.
Swag's just Cannabis?
Declan
Posted by linkadge on April 12, 2006, at 0:56:08
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » ghuber, posted by Declan on April 11, 2006, at 1:09:32
Not everybody reacts the same way.
I know that many people consider pot a mood stabilizer. I kindof found it a mood stabilizer.
Linkadge
Posted by Declan on April 12, 2006, at 3:00:39
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by linkadge on April 12, 2006, at 0:56:08
I've known people who are probably bipolar who self medicate successfully on cannabis. The thing about the bloke going manic was meant to support that, although I didn't make it very clear. He hadn't been bipolar before using, but he used *very* heavily for 5 years or so and suddenly stopped. And then went manic. I found it good for coming down off speed, which I imagine is somewhat similar. Very good for people who are talking too much.
Declan
Posted by ghuber on April 12, 2006, at 21:59:59
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » ghuber, posted by Declan on April 11, 2006, at 1:09:32
Yeah swag is a low grade marijuana... It does not contain as much THC as high grade buds. Most people report a sleeper, somewhat more lethargic high vs one that is produced by high grade buds.
As I mentioned, high grade buds sometimes make one parnoid and anxious, while swag buds do not. They'll make you hungry, somewhat high, and a tad bit later very sleepy... Good stuff to do try before you go to bed.
Posted by linkadge on April 13, 2006, at 19:43:52
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now... » linkadge, posted by Declan on April 12, 2006, at 3:00:39
Yeah, its hard to diagnose people with mental illnesses based on abrupt changes in drug usage.
When I smoked, I didn't need much at all, perhaps only two deep pufs. The feeling was so familiar, I get the same feeling if I run a LONG distnace, just kindof heavy, sleepy, hungry, and blissfull. I found that omega-3 and a little marajuanna worked well together. I remember feeling really normal on the two.
I remember reading some study on one compound in marajuanna being particularly effective for people with ADHD.
Linkadge
Posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
In reply to Re: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by linkadge on April 13, 2006, at 19:43:52
Linkadge,
??
What is your deal? I remember a few weeks ago you jumped all over somebody- Daniellia or something for saying that she didnt think Big Pharm drugs were the way to go.
You hand out advice (very quasi authoritative sounding) regarding all sorts of prescriptions and then admit that you have given up on them all. What's up with that?? I am sorry for your suffering. At the same time, it is not cool to trumpet advice when you are playing for both sides, or basically lost as to where you stand on these issues...Ah yes, that was it: your statement went something like "wouldn't you take diabetes medication if you had diabetes' hence implying that there is something wrong with somebody who decides to ride it out if they have a mental illness without the "aid" of meds.
Sounds to me like you should have stuck to the spliff all along, pal... with or without that vaporizer of yours.
We all know Big Pharm meds create LT damage, humans are guinea pigs & weed comes from the earth, pure and simple.
Posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 15:38:35
In reply to Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
> We all know Big Pharm meds create LT damage,
What is LT damage?
> humans are guinea pigs & weed comes from the earth, pure and simple
So does hemlock and belladonna. If a substance is active pharmacologically, it doesn't matter what the source is.
- Scott
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 17, 2006, at 8:23:17
In reply to Re: Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now... » Anne-Charlotte, posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 15:38:35
> What is LT damage?
LT = Long term ?
Just guessing.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 17, 2006, at 8:31:05
In reply to Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
Hi,
Just because you personally don't agree with something for yourself, doesn't mean you can't help other people with your knowledge and experience on that matter.
Meri
Posted by linkadge on April 17, 2006, at 8:34:59
In reply to Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now..., posted by Anne-Charlotte on April 15, 2006, at 8:37:49
>Linkadge,
>??
>What is your deal? I remember a few weeks ago >you jumped all over somebody- Daniellia or >something for saying that she didnt think Big >Pharm drugs were the way to go.I don't think I've ever been as outright to tell somebody not to take any pharmacudical drug. Thats not it at all. I think there are problems with current classes of antidepressants; problems that people should be aware of.
>You hand out advice (very quasi authoritative >sounding) regarding all sorts of prescriptions >and then admit that you have given up on them >all. What's up with that?? I am sorry for your >suffering. At the same time, it is not cool to >trumpet advice when you are playing for both >sides, or basically lost as to where you stand >on these issues...It was not my intention to sound condescending, if that is what you mean. My advice was simply based on the fact that I have been on many of the combinations and permutations of drugs that others are on. Yes, I choose not to take medications for certain reasons, but that does not mean that I cannot offer advice on "what might be a good move". Getting off pharmacudicals is not something you do overnight. I realize that many people here need immediate answers, so I don't really see it as wrong to offer people advice on medications, even after considering my stance.
>Ah yes, that was it: your statement went >something like "wouldn't you take diabetes >medication if you had diabetes' hence implying >that there is something wrong with somebody who >decides to ride it out if they have a mental >illness without the "aid" of meds.
You'll have to link the post for me to remember fully. I don't have anything wrong with people taking insulin for diabeties. But, that being said, insulin is an incomplete answer just as antidepressants are. Antidepressants are not fixing a chemical imballance. The evidence for that is weak. I don't see that as a dogmatic statement. The only thing I want people to know is about the potential problems that many of the drugs can pose. People need to be able to make informed decisions thats all.
>Sounds to me like you should have stuck to the >spliff all along, pal... with or without that >vaporizer of yours.
Your post is a little harsh, but thats ok. If you knew me, you'd know that I do not fit the profile of an addictive personality. My use of marjuanna is extremely mild. I have a good friend of mine who is a cancer patient who uses marajuanna simply because it tackles many of his symptoms at once. I would not make judgements about his personality based on his drug use.
>We all know Big Pharm meds create LT damage, >humans are guinea pigs & weed comes from the >earth, pure and simple.
Marajuanna is not without potential side effects. One must take into consideration many variables when chosing that particular path.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on April 17, 2006, at 8:37:34
In reply to Re: Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now... » Anne-Charlotte, posted by SLS on April 16, 2006, at 15:38:35
Thats it. Some of the strongest neurotoxins known to man are found in nature.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on May 5, 2006, at 21:57:43
In reply to Re: Linkadge: so, im smoking pot now... » SLS, posted by linkadge on April 17, 2006, at 8:37:34
I visited a site that featured an individual who was asking a question regarding using marajuanna for an anxiety disorder.
The user said that it helped their anxiety, but the site's owner advised against it. They basically said, "why would you want to use marajuanna for an anxiety disorder? It can cause amotivational syndrome." She advised the individual to go ask for paxil or something.
Whats up with that? Paxil is notorious for causing amotivational syndrome too. When I was on SSRI's I felt more stoned then when I was just using marajuanna. So I don't really understand.
SSRI's are notorious for causing amotivational syndrome.
Linkadge
Posted by helpme on July 10, 2006, at 1:16:26
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 2:04:15
Ach- I just posted my thoughts about my experience- I think on that fantastic getting high with a chocolate/ibuprofin combo thread. The gist of it was that while I felt great smoking it, I eventually got content to do nothing but watch StarTreck constantly, so reluctantly quit smoking daily. I wanted more from life. Later, I smoked occasionally- and noticed the most astounding thing- a day or 2 later I would get a paranoidish depression hangover that lingered for several days!!!!! Even after the most fun and giggely episodes of smoking this ocured. I might not have noticed when I was chronic, if it happened then. Hmm. Weird. This could be comlex. Massive bummer.
> and..it works. I smoked pot before and funcioned surprisingly well with minimal medication (daily AD, some ambein as-needed), but I dont think I really made the connection..until now. Even when I get anxious **while** smoking it (this anxiety is reduced by being around people), I find that my day-to-day anxiety is reduced **significantly**. So is my depression. Thoughts>?
Posted by helpme on July 10, 2006, at 1:19:03
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 15:29:20
...and your long term functioning? Any dreams on hold?
> so, here's the thing: I've been on EVERYTHING--benzos, antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, mood-stabilizers, etc. And I realized that when I smoked pot a lot yes, I had problems, but they weren't quite so overwhelming. And my "need" for medication wasn't so great--at one point, I took just zoloft, then later just Trileptal w/ Klonopin. So now I find that pot really does help. A WHOLE LOT. I still feel kinda down, but that's b/c I need to work on my life--my overall anxiety/mood-swings level has gone down considerably, which is a definite plus.
Posted by Dunder on July 13, 2006, at 5:56:41
In reply to so, im smoking pot now..., posted by med_empowered on March 17, 2006, at 2:04:15
Hiya,
I have suffered depression for many years and for five years I smoked weed all day, everyday in order to self-medicate. It helped with anxiety, insomnia, low mood, mood swings, lack of appetite, self-confidence, etc. etc. HOWEVER, I found that with time my anxiety increased, my motivation dropped through the floor and all other aspects of my life seemed unimportant. Everything centered around weed and getting that hit. If I couldn't get hold of any weed I would panic, not be able to sleep, get very depressed and suffer painful withdrawals (yes, contrary to popular belief - high usage of weed gives nasty withdrawal symptoms that can last up to 2 or 3 weeks.) It was a gradual process that I only recognise now with the benefit of hindsight. Eventually, it took 1 year of intense drug counselling to break my dependency. Despite my experience I am not now against weed (I still have the odd joint if it's passed around - maybe every couple of months), I just think that users with pre-existing mental health problems should be aware that there is a fine line between self-medication and addiction/dependence and that once dependent it can be very difficult to give up.
Chris
Posted by AAA88 on July 26, 2006, at 4:43:26
In reply to My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by Dunder on July 13, 2006, at 5:56:41
i guess i should throw in my 2 cents. ive smoked weed for about 3 years. it had some great effects for me. i enjoyed my time but some times got too paranoid, while high, to have fun with it. at times it was all i had to look forward to in the day. getting high at the end of the day. but i always figured that i was more prone to the paranoia compared to my friends who could smoke much more in a sitting and seem basically normal. i never knew about the speculation that it could trigger dormant mental illnesses. growing up i think i had plenty of signs of anxiety. about 4 weeks ago i was high, i smoke by myself and dont have more than one or two bowls (2 to 5 good hits either through pipe or bong), and had what i think was a panick attack. it happened a few times before in the few months before this, but it wasnt as bad, i could calm myself down in a few mins eventually to the point where i could put it off almost imediately. but this last one went all night till i finally fell asleep 1 or 2 hours later. the next two weeks i went through some hard and weak symptoms of anxiety (with depression mixed in) and 3rd week it was starting to taper off to only weak effects. this week has been ok except last night was pretty bad so it seems like i might not get back to where i was before and need to do something about it. my depression gets worse than it was because of this new anxiety i have. but before all this happened, taking a couple hits would rid any depression i had and made me feel so happy cuz i would enjoy anything so much so easily.
i just wish i knew i was prone to this before. i think if youre prone to anxiety compared to average people, you should definately be careful with mind altering substances. dont take anything you have or can have for granted, especially your mind.
we're probably still early in research of drugs and experimenting, but because i felt that happiness with weed, im thinking there could definately be some great things to extract from certain drugs if we can get rid of the negative parts. i havent read deep into those topics yet so i dont know whats been observed.
Posted by iocb on July 27, 2006, at 10:59:13
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by AAA88 on July 26, 2006, at 4:43:26
>i smoked pot years ago every night for 2 years in order to go to sleep. since then, have been on and off many different meds to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia. very frustrating because of the terrible side effects and withdrawal symptoms. am currently on paxilcr and started increasing dose from 12.5 to 25mg a week ago. i don't like it but it does help me sleep. ideally, i want to find a natural way to heal myself - i did years ago but could not maintain it. i am at the point where i am considering getting off meds and trying pot. i wish i knew where to get some... i wish it was legal!
Posted by leoleo33 on August 1, 2006, at 14:50:52
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot » AAA88, posted by iocb on July 27, 2006, at 10:59:13
Hey all,
Been in PB community since 1998, this is a new name for me. I too am thinking of going back to pot as my medication. I have been on tons of different medication and the only two that worked before was Nardil and Klonopin. The Nardil worked well for 4 years and pooped out, had tremendous withdrawal symptoms and almost took my life because of the withdrawal that nobody warned me about. This was in 1997. After panic attacks when I moved to Hawaii in 2004 I tried paxil but it made me go suicidal until I went off and amazingly it went away. Finally they tried me on klonopin against my prevailing thoughts about benzo's and it worked well with my moods, sleep, and anxiety. Only 1mg as needed. Moved back to NJ where I am from, went to new doctor and had to fight to get him to use benzo, he finally did. Then he did not cover my insurance anymore 6 months later so I had to stop. No withdrawal symptoms after a year, Jan. 2006. Since Jan. to now have been on no meds but occasional pot. Since I don't want to do anything illegal I thought I would try medication again. Went to Pdoc yesterday, the only place taking new patients in NJ for my insurance. Told Pdoc about my long history since 1992 and all the nightmare med experiences and requested to be put back onto benzo but she refused, unfortunately the only place I can go, She recommended cymbalta and seroquel instead. Went to pharmacy and meds were to expensive for me to buy. (on welfare so no money).
I did not ask for these meds to work for me, they just do (Nardil, Klonopin, Pot).
1. MAOI is to restrictive and had terrible withdrawal symptoms but worked for Depression and social anxiety. Can't take.
2. Klonopin - docs have problem prescribing them because of abuse potential and with no other choices from insurance, I can't go to anyone who will prescribe it. My GP won't either. It also only cost me $5 with my insurance. Other meds too expensive.
3. Pot - works for depression and sleep but is illegal.
I have now decided that pot is my only choice for meds since I can not get the pharmaceutical meds that work because of either the doctor or the insurance company, when I have insurance that is.
I can get pot without any beaurocratic BS that the psych industry makes you go thru and I don't need any other meds when I smoke regularly.The only problem is I can't get work while taking because all the jobs I go for test for drugs.
Pretty much screwed all the way around.
my two cents
Leo
> >i smoked pot years ago every night for 2 years in order to go to sleep. since then, have been on and off many different meds to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia. very frustrating because of the terrible side effects and withdrawal symptoms. am currently on paxilcr and started increasing dose from 12.5 to 25mg a week ago. i don't like it but it does help me sleep. ideally, i want to find a natural way to heal myself - i did years ago but could not maintain it. i am at the point where i am considering getting off meds and trying pot. i wish i knew where to get some... i wish it was legal!
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 17:58:55
In reply to My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by Dunder on July 13, 2006, at 5:56:41
But we need to consider other things too. Is an effexor user not totally dependant on their medication?
I would argue that if an effexor user suddenly couldn't get the next dose that they'd probably go into just as nasty a withdrawl if not worse because of effexor's short half life. I know a few people (for instance) that say dropping marajuanna was nothing compared to getting off of effexor. (Some can't quit it yet). I've come off marajuanna time and time again, and it seems trivial compared to stopping an antidepressant.
I just don't know how a doctor can tell you that one substance is bad because it is addictive, yet hand you another addictive substance and call it better.
How much of your anxiety was due to the marajuanna, and how much of it was due to the pressure put on you to self medicate etc. Ie, if you were given a steady clean, pharamucitical grade supply, and a doctors approval, would you consider the substance of any use for certain of these disorders?
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 18:02:17
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by AAA88 on July 26, 2006, at 4:43:26
Was your source consent ? I had a friend who did fine on weed untill he bought a batch with something else mixed it, meth or something? Anyhow the hosptial sent it to be analyzed and found this out.
So, it may not have been the weed, but what was added to it.
Thats another reason that I think we need standardization of the substance, to get people on to something that they can regulate a little more.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 18:07:45
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by leoleo33 on August 1, 2006, at 14:50:52
For me, it wasn't a whole lot of marajuanna I needed to have an effect. It wasn't like I was walking around too stoned to speak, infact most of my daily activities were unaffected.
I had some paranoia, but it was mostly surrounding the issue of being caught by parents or family, it wasn't anything terrably irrational.
If I had been using it from a legitiamate source that was regulated and legal, I feel that things may have gone a little better.
I have to agree with leoleo33 as well in that antidepressant withdrawl always made me very close to offing myself. Coming off marajuanna made me a little irritable I suppose, but I was at no risk of self harm.
Linkadge
Posted by wacky on August 9, 2006, at 13:12:04
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot » AAA88, posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 18:02:17
Or just grow your own. One or two outdoor plants properly grown and dried should last a year. Plants grow well from cuttings.
Posted by AAA88 on August 14, 2006, at 14:13:47
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot » AAA88, posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 18:02:17
i dont think it was anything mixed in with the weed. i would buy the bud from a couple different sources and chop it up myself. one of the sources was a friend (not sure who supplied to him) and another source was a known guy that i felt comfortable buying from. i had two different batches at the time when it happened and one batch would give me a high which left me feeling more paranoid while the other batch left me feeling more relaxed. the last one i smoked was the bud that left me feeling relaxed (there might have been some crystals from the other batch mixed in the tray) and i still had my panic attack. after 5 weeks now, my mind is basically back to what im used to.
i too think that if marijuana was looked at differently and accepted out in the open, as well as if my family wouldnt care about it among other things, then i wouldnt have felt as paranoid either. but getting caught by them wasnt my only anxiety while high, it was basically anything that i normally feel anxious about, like certain oncoming social situations. id like to think that if i can get rid of any anxiety that i would ever experience, then i could smoke without feeling any paranoia. but at the same time, i dont know if its something permanent in my brain that will always leave me prone to this. my panick attacks while high wouldnt happen from thinking about something in particular, but rather just a senseless phobia like my heart stopped and i couldnt breathe (although i could) and then it would go from there.
Posted by linkadge on August 18, 2006, at 16:49:59
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot » linkadge, posted by AAA88 on August 14, 2006, at 14:13:47
I've never had that experience, but I know people who have had similar reactions.
It can depend on the crop like you were saying. Certain crops probably yeild higher levels of certain constituents.
Hopefully some of the research done in the field will reveal which constituents confer the benifit.
Linkadge
Posted by tizza on September 11, 2006, at 3:03:27
In reply to Re: My experience of self-medicating with pot, posted by linkadge on August 18, 2006, at 16:49:59
I smoked pot heavily in my teens until my body totally rejected it. I had no problems stopping it because it started sending me totally loopy with horrible panic attacks. I heard someone mention that efexor was hard to stop. Well stopping pot was like playing with cute fluffy puppies, stopping efexor was pure hell on earth, and it didn't even come close to xanax withdrawal, which for me was like walking in the rain for a few days, uncomfortable but managable. Unfortunatly efexor withdrawal was one of the worst experiences I have had the misfortune of experiencing in my entire life. The worst suicidal tendencies ever and all I wanted was just one pepsi. Different sh*t works for different people in different way. It sucks, but at this point in time SAMe seems to be working for me.
This is the end of the thread.
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