I am aware that marijuana may affect everyone differently, but there is something everybody using cannabis as an anxiolytic should know. There are two main varieties of marijuana - Indica and Sativa. Sativa is known for its energetic, heady buzz, that could very well lead to a panic attack in those who are vulnerable. However, Indica strains aren't like this at all, as they create more of a sedating effect that just relaxes and mellows people out. The only problem with this is that most people don't know what variety they've got - even dealers, so you're pretty much stuck testing stuff out before you buy. That is, unless you learn you're cannaculture and can differentiate Indica from Sativa by just looking at it. Most of the time, they look very different. Indicas are usually a darker green color and the plants the grow on are usually short and bushy while Sativas are lighter green and tend to grow real tall.
What I'm trying to say is, if you just stick with the Indicas, there shouldn't be a problem when using medicinal marijuana for anxiety disorders.
I am aware that marijuana may affect everyone differently, but there is something everybody using cannabis as an anxiolytic should know. There are two main varieties of marijuana - Indica and Sativa. Sativa is known for its energetic, heady buzz, that could very well lead to a panic attack in those who are vulnerable. However, Indica strains aren't like this at all, as they create more of a sedating effect that just relaxes and mellows people out. The only problem with this is that most people don't know what variety they've got - even dealers, so you're pretty much stuck testing stuff out before you buy. That is, unless you learn you're cannaculture and can differentiate Indica from Sativa by just looking at it. Most of the time, they look very different. Indicas are usually a darker green color and the plants the grow on are usually short and bushy while Sativas are lighter green and tend to grow real tall.
What I'm trying to say is, if you just stick with the Indicas, there shouldn't be a problem when using medicinal marijuana for anxiety disorders.
Peace
LOL. You sound like that pot dealer guy on the movie "American Beauty".
Yes I'm aware of the different strains of weed. Have tried many of them over my 15 year dope binge. Yeah I realize some do produce different types of highs. But again, certain personality types inherently respond a certain way to marijuana and I don't think that can be changed. It's still a psychoactive drug no matter what kind you smoke.
I just know that I can't handle pot anymore, not just from the effects, but also because I have heart/chest pain issues and cannot tolerate smoke into my body any longer (and no I don't care to eat it either). Besides it's still illegal in this country so even if it did work for me I couldn't use it for the times when I really need it, at work, when my social anxiety is at it's worse. I don't think the boss would take too kindly to me wreaking of pot and having red eyes.
Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 117 Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:
Thinking pot is going to solve your SA problems is stupid . It has been proven that a link between marijuana and mental illness exists. I've heard of people using pot for years and winding up in a mental institution Better off heading down the SSRI path. In terms of benzos long term, every day use will probably cause problems like addiction and tolerance. Better off using these drugs when you really need them.
I totally agree that this is not the right route for everyone but it works for me and I'm just tryin to spread my experience...
There is no real scientific data linking marijuana to any mental illness... Just a bunch of speculation that has been bred by the government's ridiculous classing of the drug.
I agree benzos aren't the long term answer, and that's why I choose pot since its not physically addicting and is not causing me any harm since I vaporize it. There IS scientific data that says vaporization of the ganja is virtually harmless in terms of carcinogens and other harmful substances in smoke. Just vape it man.
And for the SSRIs, how about that scientific data that shows that they're useless? Maybe that path will lead me to a placebo effect but that's about it... Oh and the side effects like no libido, gain weight or no appetite and annoying shit like that... Worthless money machine of a medication sums up the SSRIs...
Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 117 Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:
I don't think it is wise to promote pot smoking on this website esp since some people are under 18, but anyhow if pot does it for you keep going . I think benzo use is okay (I for one do use them), people just have to be responsible with them, kind of like drinking, you don't do it all the time everyday.
In terms of that SSRI data showing it is useless that is wrong see this: The Guardian has some excellent coverage on this paper, where they quote one of the co-authors:
“Given these results, there seems little reason to prescribe antidepressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients, unless alternative treatments have failed,” says Kirsch. “This study raises serious issues that need to be addressed surrounding drug licensing and how drug trial data is reported.”
They do work for people with severe depression who are the ones who need the drugs the most like me. As my psychiatrist says when you talk to people on these drugs most say they help.
I think benzo use is okay (I for one do use them), people just have to be responsible with them, kind of like drinking, you don't do it all the time everyday.
I use benzos too. However, it's kind of difficult not to use them all the time since I've been prescribed 1.5 mg 3x daily. I do agree with you that you have to use great responsibility when using benzos, but at this dosage that I'm on I'm eventually just going to have to increase dosage at some point (I already have had my dosage doubled twice in 2-3 years because I became tolerant to the effects). This tolerance brings on addiction and then when you try to get off them you have to deal with the horrible withdrawal symptoms that come along with it. I just don't like the fact that I'm going to have to keep taking more and more I doubt it's very good for me, and my doctor already told me I'd probably be on them for a long time (but it's ultimately my choice, I know).
Quote:
In terms of that SSRI data showing it is useless that is wrong
After all the money they've made with this medicine, it's only reasonable that they'd try to cover their asses somehow. Since it works no better than placebo, they just say it works for an even lower percentage of people than that so they can look like theyre doing us a favor. Newflash: they're not. People like us are getting scammed and lied to by pharmaceutical companies with these drugs, plain and simple.
I'm on 2 mg klonopin per day, but I've been changing what times I take it on a daily basis. Is it more effective when used lets say, 1mg 10 AM then 1mg 10 PM, on a consistent basis, instead of just randomly choosing the times to take it like I've been doing?
_________________ Face your fears, and you will be unstoppable...
Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 117 Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:45 am Post subject:
SilentType
I think you should maybe have a good talk to your doctor regarding your benzo use. They are only recommended by the drug info page that comes with the drug for use between 2-4 weeks (in Australia anyway). I also got prescribed 3 x a day for Valium but I never use them everyday for fear of addiction. My psychiatrist is okay with how I use them. Surely you don't need to use them everyday, eg on weekends? Also maybe think about changing drugs from say Xanax to Ativan to stop the tolerance to one drug? I am not being critical just offering my opinion.
In terms of SSRIs maybe you should give them a go. I disagree with you on SSRIs offering only a placebo effect. When I started on Lexapro nothing happened at all for the first 5 days then bang, they worked, it was not a gradual effect. I was also sceptical but I gave it a long and hard thought and the only conclusion I came up with was that it had to be the drug. Even if it is a placebo effect surely it is better than nothing and say person X killing himself because of depression.
I do need to use them every day. I've been diagnosed with panic disorder, which leaves me having panic attacks if I'm ever around more than like four people. In America, benzos are only recommended for use up to six weeks, but in my case I need something to keep me relaxed constantly, because who knows when a bunch of people are going to show up at my house ya know? I've actually been getting out a lot more in the past month, doing things with old friends, and I'm feeling better than I have in years. I've even got plans for my future that I actually see myself going through with.
I don't know why, but it seems like two years of Klonopin 3x per day like wiped the slate clean for me, like I can finally move on from my past. I've done a lot of soul searching lately and I've looked back to what I used to enjoy and excel at. In my opinion, a job that I can envelop myself in and thoroughly enjoy is all I need. Since I'm only 20, I'm going to make that happen.
I still have panic attacks if I don't take my Klonopin or smoke some herb, but I feel like I'm finally starting to break through this wall that my psychiatrist calls panic disorder. It feels good.
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. It has been proven that a link between marijuana and mental illness exists. I've heard of people using pot for years and winding up in a mental institution 
Better off heading down the SSRI path. In terms of benzos long term, every day use will probably cause problems like addiction and tolerance. Better off using these drugs when you really need them.
. I think benzo use is okay (I for one do use them), people just have to be responsible with them, kind of like drinking, you don't do it all the time everyday.
