Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the most effective therapy in the long term for anxiety disorders, including those resulting from marijuana. For a referral to a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in your area, visit our International CBT Referral Pages or your doctor can also give you a referral.
Many of you will wonder why we are doing an article on marijuana. Many people would not even consider marijuana as having any connection with anxiety and panic. But it has. Marijuana is recognised as being one of the causes of panic attacks and anxiety, and we think it is important to highlight this.
Many people argue for the legalisation of marijuana. Certainly it is seen by some as a harmless 'soft' drug which seems to have very few ill effects. However, more and more research is looking into the short and long term effects of cannabis / marijuana.
Some people may use marijuana with little negative effect. For other people, it may trigger an effect that will impact greatly on their lives. Many people will use marijuana just once, and as a result can experience on ongoing panic attacks, dissociative symptoms and anxiety. Other people may use marijuana for years before experiencing their first panic attack.
Young people today know little of the adverse effects that may result from the use of this drug. However, more and more people are now presenting with panic attacks or anxiety disorders which were triggered by by the use of marijuana.
For clinical information see the 'Substance Abuse induced Anxiety Disorder', American Psychiatric Association, 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Number Four' or speak with your State Government Drug and Alcohol Unit for further information.
If in doubt about the link between marijuana and panic attacks - read on
I'm a 21 yr. old male who has been suffering from (though, never diagnosed) what I believe is anxiety and panic disorder. I first experienced these very intense feelings after smoking THC (the chemical in marijuana resin) in a pipe of an old friend of mine. Ever since then, I've been afraid of taking any medications that can alter my personality (social drugs, antidepressants, tranquillisers, etc.); therefore, I've been living with this disorder for almost 5 years now, with no medication, but it's getting worse. I feel like I'm living in a nightmare or dream all day long... afraid of everything, and anything that can happen. It's like I'm there, but I'm not. Things that should seem familiar, seem odd and frightening. My mind never rests, I am in a state where my mind seems to play tricks on me (almost a paranoid, terror feeling). Though I do get attacks of sudden panic or anxiety, the symptoms of these are lingering in my life ALL the time, everyday and night.
You bashed pretty hard on pot there, but I commend you for the objective post as its had such a negative impact on our life. What works for some may not work for others, and I'm fully aware of that. I'm really just trying to convey the message that vaporising or eating pot is safer than taking pill cocktails for the rest of my life.
Peace
The idea of cannabis as an anxiolytic has actually been circling around the pharmacology newswires for years. Here's an article dating way back to 2002...
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:32 am Post subject: Re: I Want a New Drug, or at least a new strategy (Xanax)
Hi I have had anxiety panic disorder I have tried tons but for one you need to start slow but seeing a therapist is best I take paxil 20mg and xanax when i feel i need to the best thing is nipping it in the butt before it gets worse so taking xanax at the incling of anxiety or phobia.
Sebring747 wrote:
I've tried tons of drugs but still feel so much social phobia and just can't leave home sometimes.
Xanax is my old standby I take 2mg. 2-3 times per day. Keep it at my bedside to use to try to get out of bed. Some have told me it does work but the sedative effect wears off over time and just helps the anxiety. But, I don't know if it's true. Anyone else hear this?
I also take Elavil and Prozac for depression.
There are other meds at my disposal for things like pain and sleep, but most can be oversedating, and I'm afraid to drive under the influence of too many.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:32 am Post subject: Re: I Want a New Drug, or at least a new strategy (Xanax)
Hi I have had anxiety panic disorder I have tried tons but for one you need to start slow but seeing a therapist is best I take paxil 20mg and xanax when i feel i need to the best thing is nipping it in the butt before it gets worse so taking xanax at the incling of anxiety or phobia.
Sebring747 wrote:
I've tried tons of drugs but still feel so much social phobia and just can't leave home sometimes.
Xanax is my old standby I take 2mg. 2-3 times per day. Keep it at my bedside to use to try to get out of bed. Some have told me it does work but the sedative effect wears off over time and just helps the anxiety. But, I don't know if it's true. Anyone else hear this?
I also take Elavil and Prozac for depression.
There are other meds at my disposal for things like pain and sleep, but most can be oversedating, and I'm afraid to drive under the influence of too many.
Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 210 Location: Australia
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject:
[quote="SilentType"] I'm really just trying to convey the message that vaporising or eating pot is safer than taking pill cocktails for the rest of my life.
Peace
Ok. I understand where you are coming from. Promise me this. If you do find that dope starts to exacerbate your anxiety, let me know. It hit me when I was 23 (loved it until then). Not sure how old u are.
The key in using marijuana for medicine is finding the right strain. Indica strains tend to be good for anxiety, while Sativa strains tend to increase it.
Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 210 Location: Australia
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject:
Well credit to you. You obviously know your dope. Shit man I had know idea what I was smoking. I was just told it is good stuff. Sativa and Indica means nothing to me and probably the rest of the dope smoking community. But you sure know your dope. Ok the next time I (or a friend) try to score I'll be sure to mention Indica. I'll let you know how it goes.
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