Marijuana and depression and anxiety

I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was probably 11 years old or so. I have taken antidepressants on and off since age 13(on for last ten years). I started smoking cigarettes and marijuana daily at about age 14(switched both to vapors a month ago , will be 29yo in feb). I know that marijuana isn't the reason I have anxiety and depression but it always seems to push me to a point that I have to quit using. Then time passes and I end up using again and the circle completes itself over and over. This last switch to vaporizing everything has really shown me how addicted I was to ciggies and how they may have had there part in this whole depression anxiety thing.

I guess my question is am I the only crazy one trying to put myself in a looney bin via marijuana. Does anyone else go threw this viscous cycle with me from a distance? If anyone does do u have any tips or pointers on how to keep the sad and nervous train away while being stoned mostly 24/7 or do I just need to realize my bodies trying to tell me sumthing and call this quits?? Or do I just need to force myself to take a break twice a year to kinda detox and get my wits back about me, cuz that's doable. That's basically what I do naturally..lol

I just love marijuana for the short term but I feel like long term I end up doing more damage depression and anxiety wise. Idk wut 2 do, I guess my biological make up isn't meant to be a pot head I dunno..

I'm new to this whole forum stuff man, been living under a rock for too long, figured it was time fore me to enter the 90's aleast.. I was just hoping someone on here had the magic secret to a happy and stoned life, maybe my chances at that were predisposedly tipped..if that makes any sense

I want to make a fuckdepression website and a sister site fuckanxiety.com

I'm glad to see you realise the impact tobacco can have on mood, are yout still vaping nicotene????

For years I thought my mood swings and depression was down to weed, so I'd smoke some more and carry on....

Since I got tobacco out of my life, I'm happier, calmer, more reasonable, im just a better person now.. no more mental mood swings or bouts of depression...for me it was tobacco causing the majority of my problems...

Who'd have thought...

Maybe this is personal to me, but it may help someone else...

Mowgrassvapegrass said:

I guess my question is am I the only crazy one trying to put myself in a looney bin via marijuana. Does anyone else go threw this viscous cycle with me from a distance? If anyone does do u have any tips or pointers on how to keep the sad and nervous train away while being stoned mostly 24/7 or do I just need to realize my bodies trying to tell me sumthing and call this quits?? Or do I just need to force myself to take a break twice a year to kinda detox and get my wits back about me, cuz that's doable. That's basically what I do naturally..lol

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Man, do we have some similarities! I'm in the same boat, it's been a very long time coming, and my issues are complicated with debilitating insomnia/night sweats and horrible sleep quality/efficiency. Overdoing the vape has greatly backfired for me (completely my own doing due to shift work, stress, pain, ptsd), and now i'm essentially forcing myself to take a break and cut back (which affects me massively negatively in the short term, but very positively in the longer term). It's been a long time coming, but now it's affected my career and livelihood for several months, so I have to take action. Feel free to PM if you care to discuss more in depth.

steama said:

You may have a more severe psychological condition than you think. Sure it's the weed?

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THIS. Big time. It's so easy to self diagnose..... there is a reason i've been self medicating so much for a decade, and it's exactly what you said.... a more severe psychological condition, that I was completely even unaware of. The problem is that the poison is in the dose, and with some of the doses i've been taking, come side effects. It's all been a learning experience and continues to be so.

kellya86 said:

Since I got tobacco out of my life, I'm happier, calmer, more reasonable, im just a better person now.. no more mental mood swings or bouts of depression...for me it was tobacco causing the majority of my problems...

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Substitute weed for tobacco and that sentence mirrors my experience with overdoing the vape (daily, 2g from morning until sleep). In fact, just not vaping all day has made me feel like a completely different person. I think alot of my ailments are actually caused by the weed, that I think weed cures, but like alot of people, weed cures symptoms of withdrawal, and it becomes a vicious cycle. The storey of my life.

I sometimes have problems with pure sativas if they're strong at all. Tends to really aggravate anxiety. Otoh sativas usually help more with depression for me than hybrids or indicas. For daytime use I try to mix a milder sativa with a stronger 50/50 sort of hybrid. This for me balances my need for something uplifting to help with depression with something calming that helps a bit with my anxiety. For late evenings an indica leaning hybrid 80/20 or a pure indica is most helpful to put me in a place where I can manage to sleep.

In general terms and only for myself I don't have/want a big linkage between MJ use and depression. Unless I really push my dosage way up from my normal preferred daily dose the effects of MJ are fairly neutral in my case. So I don't think MJ is the best drug I can use for my depression because its hard for me to titrate a manageable and yet effective dose that doesn’t get in the way of my daily activities. However everyone’s depression, MJ experience and living circumstances are different and I know there are people out there who are very happy using MJ as an antidepressant.

Mowgrassvapegrass said:

I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was probably 11 years old or so. I have taken antidepressants on and off since age 13(on for last ten years). I started smoking cigarettes and marijuana daily at about age 14(switched both to vapors a month ago , will be 29yo in feb). I know that marijuana isn't the reason I have anxiety and depression but it always seems to push me to a point that I have to quit using. Then time passes and I end up using again and the circle completes itself over and over. This last switch to vaporizing everything has really shown me how addicted I was to ciggies and how they may have had there part in this whole depression anxiety thing.

I guess my question is am I the only crazy one trying to put myself in a looney bin via marijuana. Does anyone else go threw this viscous cycle with me from a distance? If anyone does do u have any tips or pointers on how to keep the sad and nervous train away while being stoned mostly 24/7 or do I just need to realize my bodies trying to tell me sumthing and call this quits?? Or do I just need to force myself to take a break twice a year to kinda detox and get my wits back about me, cuz that's doable. That's basically what I do naturally..lol

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I have not read all the replies, but as a 44 yr old (well, tomorrow I will be) who was diagnosed with depression at the ripe age of 14 who has been taking anti-depressants on and off (steady on for last 6 years) for 20 years, who also experiences panic attacks and generalized anxiety and who also has ADD...you have my empathy.

With regard to cannabis - I would say you are probably imbibing too much too fast, for one. For another, if you can be selective in strains you use, that can help. Jack Flash, for example, at higher doses, brings on panic attacks for me. Another strain, an indica this time, made me itch. Several indica's increase the sensitivity of my skin, already sensitive, to the point that I can feel the nubby texture of my ordinary cotton sheets, making it hard to sleep. If I can feel that texture, imagine how wrinkles and tank top straps feel!

I love vaping cannabis. It gives the KO to migraines, eases my stress and general anxiety and, fuck, I just love the way it makes me feel.

Those are the only ideas I have, although, if cutting back and strain selection do not improve, I would suggest going "dry" for a month to see if it is really the fault of cannabis. If it is, then you have to ask if feeling good is more important than feeling "good".

If you abuse anything it can have a negative effect. Everything should be used in moderation. I know the feeling you talk of. I've been using Legal CBD e-juice in the day for short while. Massively cut down my THC consumption and feel a whole lot better.

Yea everything in moderation..... IMO, a lot of folks would get what they need out of MJ if it was legal. I use it medically for different ailments.
For example
If I was to get a ton of heady because that's all that's out there, but need it for pain, I might Vape until I'm unconscious(over do it)because I'm not getting pain relief until I'm knocked out which takes hours. Where as if I go to a dispensary and get exactly what I need, it will work better because the exact MJ I need is what I got. Good Indica is hard to stay up all night vaping. Good heady is hard to sleep on. After fully getting into vaping I realized, I don't like getting 'high' as much a I like medicating which is why I like high CBD strains....

Like people here said before, overdoing it will work against you, most medicinal herbs will start to have an adverse effect when overdone, and so has cannabis.
Apart from that, when i'm not feeling well, anxiety, stress, depressed, i especially need to soothe myself, but it always amplifies the negatives, unfortunately.
In your case, why not try to get high only a couple of hours at night (or day) and see how things go when your not high 24/7

Loving this thread and the comments so far, I feel like i've had an "aaaahhhh haaaa" moment! I've been running in circles for sooooo many years now, and like many of you posted, sometimes it's better to cut back on the THC, and give the body a break. Exploring CBD is a good idea probably....i've just started that journey, but every CBD strain that I have has at least a couple % of THC and I still get fairly medicated from it. I guess it's not an exact science and titration takes practice and patience.

It's amazing that my anxiety and depression (and sleep) have IMPROVED just from cutting back. Will have to live with withdrawal symptoms until body and brain adjusts (mainly bad night sweats and some day time chills, and just feeling like crap), but overall it feels like being re-born.

biohacker said:

Loving this thread and the comments so far, I feel like i've had an "aaaahhhh haaaa" moment! I've been running in circles for sooooo many years now, and like many of you posted, sometimes it's better to cut back on the THC, and give the body a break. Exploring CBD is a good idea probably....i've just started that journey, but every CBD strain that I have has at least a couple % of THC and I still get fairly medicated from it. I guess it's not an exact science and titration takes practice and patience.

It's amazing that my anxiety and depression (and sleep) have IMPROVED just from cutting back. Will have to live with withdrawal symptoms until body and brain adjusts (mainly bad night sweats and some day time chills, and just feeling like crap), but overall it feels like being re-born.

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I've been using CBD isolates from hemp, so no THC. http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/uk-cbd-concentrate-myth.20287/page-3

Everyone is different but hopefully what I say here helps @Mowgrassvapegrass .
My dad is bipolar and so is my sister. They have always taken prescribed medication. It really helps them. Friends of mine have taken Medication and said it messed them up. People often describe me as being bipolar. I go from up beat outgoing full of energy to hermit depressive back and forth. I don't want any strong drugs. My brain is the way it is. I find my ups and downs are often related more to real life problems. And most importantly confronting (or not) those problems. I started using weed when I was 12. I always used cannabis with tobacco. And continued this way for 15 years. Round and round in circles as you say. Some times it made me feel great. Some times I felt it was causing me problems. To be honest it stole a lot of time from me. I couldn't imagine another me when I was there. They were dark days I must say. As @kellya86 mentions, he found that tobacco was causing his mood swings more than anything else. I found exactly the same. I had tried to quit weed but still smoke tobacco, but my depression got no better. When I quit tobacco my whole life changed. I am way more balanced. I still get ups and downs. But I feel better able to handle stress and my emotions.

On another note, I had been using way way to much weed over the Christmas period due to the fact I always finish a bowl in the Mighty otherwise it is wasted. I was like a zombie morning till night. I switched to using Enectar CBD ejuice in the day and started using my Lotus (bowl size is a fraction of the Mighty) at night. I am now consuming far far less THC overall. And I feel a whole lot better for it. I'm enjoying weed when I CHOOSE to use it. Rather than it being something I feel I have to do at regimented times. I will still get ups and downs for sure. Depression isn't simply a chemical imbalance IMO, it is also a reaction to the way you lead your life. The way you think. IMO capitalism breeds depression. Read this by my favourite cultural theorist http://theoccupiedtimes.org/?p=12841 and this also http://rs21.org.uk/2014/04/27/kpunk/

I believe that the the powers that be want you to have low self esteem. The world treats self confidence as a vanity. I believe that society doesn't value The talent that lies in each and every one of us. You do not not need to deny yourself the fact that you are a great and talented person. Be proud of who you are, and what you have achieved. You don't have to be cocky and shove it down people's throats. But be proud of who you are. Confront yourself. Confront your dreams. Confront your reality.

Edit: You must get off nicotine. Download Allen Carrs quit smoking video on iTunes. Costs less than £10. Only about 40 mins long and will change the way you think. He doesn't tell you horror stories about dying from cancer. He talks about the psychology of being a nicotine addict, and gives you the tools needed to be free. His work truely saved me.

I'll echo the others. Stick to low doses.

Vaping may help over combusting as it eliminates some of the toxins. Same with high grade vs. the brown brick stuff.

It helps me immensely with my condition, but if you feel it is contributing to your problems, quit. See a doctor.

sativasam said:

When I quit tobacco my whole life changed. I am way more balanced. I still get ups and downs. But I feel better able to handle stress and my emotions.

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I can't stress this enough, everyday something happens that would have caused me to flip, the thing can still annoy me, and I'm aware of it, but i can deal with it alot better, i don't lose my cool.

And the same with the ups and downs, they still happen, this is life, but I can now deal with them rationally and get over it,

@sativasam has hit the nail on the head with his post imo.

Great posts....all of them.....thanks @sativasam for your excellent post, and I can relate. I'm in the middle of a diagnoses.....it's been all over the map with PTSD, anxiety/depression and debilitating extreme insomnia, but also Bipolar 2. I've only used vaping to deal with it all (as well as a high stress shift work career), but tried a strong anti-psychotic (Seroquel) and absolutely couldn't stand the feeling and want no part of pharmaceuticals. I like the feeling of my emotions, and can't stand that "zombie" feeling. Excessive vaping causing that zombie feeling for me as well, and definitely impacts my sleep negatively.

Since cutting back and sticking to smaller doses and most importantly spacing out my sessions i've noticed massive improvements in all areas of my conditions.

That Mighty vape can be devastating!

Lots of love on this forum

Just wanted to extend a heartfelt Thank you to all those who have contributed to this thread. There are so many parallels to my life that I cannot tag just one. Manic Depression ( old school bipolar ) has been in my life for 25+ years. I have at times used way too much herb, never thought that over consumption could be making things worse. The awesome power of FC is the openness and compassion which expands with each new post. I always got down on myself because I was not "strong" enough to pull out of a depressive cycle. I think we have all been conditioned to a certain cycle of self-doubt or even self-loathing. The reality of life brings trials, ups and downs. I too was saved from misery by SSRI treatment, back in '91 when I was diagnosed. Now, I will do everything I can to avoid pharma "solutions". Light treatment, nutrition, proper rest and healing, the human touch all will help to alleviate some measure of suffering. Finding other people who are suffering and yet sharing is a HUGE component in relief. Please don't be afraid to reach out for help. Any direction is a better path than heading into the darkness all alone. I would welcome anyone who needs to dump some trash, or maybe a change in perspective to contact me anytime at all. See its kind of an indirect selfish motivation. If I can help lift someone else's burden for a little while, it forces me to see that we all are hurting sometimes. It gives me a purpose if sharing can help another person get back on a good pathway for themselves. FC rules! You all kick ass!

You kick some serious ass yourself. Thank you for your contribution, I think you just made my day dude.

As someone who does not know much about my own ailments because I have not gotten diagnosed with anything as I don't want to give myself reasons to fall back on to get into an ugly mess of playing victim, I feel that self expression should be part of a healthy lifestyle. When you tell others how you're doing now and then get propelled by the influences especially positive feedback, you are more likely to go about life with a keen eye to balance all external habits. Internally we should focus on eating right, staying upright keeps the blood moving, and sleeping enough helps speeds up the healing process. We are on our ways to die but we can prevent as much harm possible to ourselves. I feel as if I'm brand new ever since I was finished with high school/dropping out of college. Though my idea of going back to class is slim atm, I feel much incline to go back when I'm ready because my mindset has changed over a period of time. My well being is much more capable than before. I used to be groggy, lazy, tired, sluggish from over medicating but if it was not for me over medicating I wouldn't get to hone my experiences of working/functioning normally while impaired. In fact, I passed my DMV test driving medicated. It was less tense than I figured I would have failed on my first try.

All in all, I thank this forum to today for helping me get into line and allowing myself to fully express my methods of advice to properly medicate and function as needed. Glad the forum is still alive and I've been here lurking on and off for the past 3 years I believe. Thanks to all the staff members for making it possible here at FC.

Guys I can't help but break out in tears because of all the heart felt things you guys have said. I now know I'm truly not alone on this roller coaster journey. I suffered a very severe anxiety attack 2 nights ago and haven't had the courage to try vaping Mary becuz I still don't feel 100. I have been vaping my nic still but wish it was a cigarette..

I know that this anxiety attack was not entirely due to overdosing mary, even though that deffinitly was a factor (overdosing that is), I am gonna have my second son due Feb 4, my gma died 6 months ago (still cry when I think about her, like full on tears) I started a lawn care business last summer and have been sitting around all winter with nothing 2 do, so saying I'm anxious about the upcoming months is the understatement of the year.

I owe all you guys so much for what this forum has done for me. Just reading that other ppl have shared this pain with this problem helps soooo much

Thank you guys
Much love

If u guys have any advice on wut I should do from here, I'm all ears...or eyes whatever

Reading all this today has helped better than the adivan. Fc.com...natural adivan..

@Mowgrassvapegrass - Today my girlfriend rang me up to say she was feeling really anxious and depressed. She felt so bad she had actually taken the day off work. We spoke for a while and I told her similar things to what I told you earlier. She decided to write a list of all the things she was feeling anxious about so she could no.1 contain her thoughts, and no.2 confront them. She also wrote a list of all the people that make her happy in life. I would advise you to do the same thing. Make these lists. It may help you clarify a few things on how and where to move forward.

Anxiety can take over your whole body and mind. My mum is plagued with anxiety and so she watches/listens to 'mindfullness' videos/audio all day and night to help with this. She wakes up every night without fail at around 3-4am filled with irrational anxiety and cant get back to sleep. Mindfullness teaches you to live in the moment and and stop worrying about the future. The sort of teachings you will also hear in Buddhism. I would advise that you watch some mindfulness videos and do some reading on this subject. I'm sure there are videos on youtube.
I get anxiety a bit like my mum sometimes, as i'm trying to fall asleep, or when I'm waking up in the morning. It's usually really irrational, but related to work. You might want to check out some Allan Watts videos. It's not essential but check him out. He is an american who teaches Eastern philosophy for a western audience. Some are more relevant than others. Here is one I think will be good for you and is a favourite of mine.

The media constantly bombards us with DOOM, GLOOM and FEAR FEAR FEAR. It makes us look for the negatives in life instead of the positives. Shawn Achor did a talk on TED where he outlines how to reverse this. I did it and it really works. The purest and most natural antidepressant available and its totally free!!! Honestly this works, Ive done it. DO IT!!!!! Write 3 things you are grateful for, every day, for twenty one days. https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work?language=en

Sometimes I take 5HTP which is a herbal antidepressant/dopamine replacement. Its very mild compared with prescription meds. Some can't even notice its effects. (It has been proven to not be placebo). Even so; I still try to not to use it all the time. I only take it when I need it. It's not something you have to take a course of. Sometimes when life is at its hardest, it really does help me get through the day. I carry a bottle with me wherever I go. I use it on and off; sometimes not for months, and then sometimes nearly every day. It's not powerful but it helps me on my way for sure. I don't think its good to 'self medicate'. You should always talk to your doctor before using a non prescription herbal drug such as 5HTP. I do not think drugs are a solution to your problems. BUT everyone has the right to know the choices out there. I use the stuff all the time so I can't deny you the knowledge. I just don't like to sound like a drug pusher. Please don't take over the recommended dose, or abuse it.

Oh and don't forget to get off nicotine! 'Alan Carr's The Easy Way to Stop Smoking'. You can get the book, the audio, the video. Whatever you is best for you. I got the video off itunes for about £7. I like the video as the images help me to remember key ideas. Loads of my friends quit with his ideas. AND SO DID I!!!
It is one of the most popular and successful quit smoking regimes in the world. People used to call me Smokey Sam. Now they just call me Sam. I think quitting tobacco will destroy this running in circles feeling you mentioned in your first post. It made me feel like that.

One love x