Vaping vs. smoking cannabis for Bipolar Disorder?

[herbgirl]

anybody out there who medicates for bipolar disorder notice a difference in the symptom relief from smoking vs vaping?

I have suffered with depression since my teens. Tried med after med they all left me "not depressed" but flat and numb and fucked up my libido. I'm pretty sure Zoloft made me attempt suicide twice.

Started smoking pot in HS and used off and on recreationally for years. Didn't put together until later in life that pot was the only thing that kept me on an even keel, leveled out the highs and lows a little, i always assumed that was because i was addicted.

Just recently i started doing some research into Cannabis and bipolar and lo and behold all these years i had been self medicating - not to get high, but to feel normal! It doesn't mask the symptoms, just makes them more tolerable. Sometimes bipolar can be fun and i don't want to block that - my highs tend to be when i'm at my most creative and i've learned over the years to use that to my advantage - the lows - not so much, but pot helps some.

Pot has allowed me to have a normal life as a homemaker, wife to my wonderful husband, my HS sweetheart and Mommy to two wonderful boys (one with special needs). It slows down my racing thoughts and helps me focus, and it keeps the irritable edge off being a bipolar ADHD stay at home mom of two kids!

Been vaping exclusively for a few weeks now and I think vaping is more beneficial for me as it preserves the clarity but still provides the mood regulating effect. It doesn't seem to have as much of a sedating effect as smoking, but sometimes i need that. maybe i should save abv from the day and revape it at night for the sleepiness?

also anybody know the compounds in MJ that affect bipolar?

any thoughts?

 

[Nosferatu]

It increases your dopamine levels so that would make you feel happy but sorry I dont know much more. And trust me with a good vape it can be just as sedating there is never a reason to smoke again.

 

[AGBeer]

anybody out there who medicates for bipolar disorder notice a difference in the symptom relief from smoking vs vaping?

I have suffered with depression since my teens. Tried med after med they all left me "not depressed" but flat and numb and fucked up my libido. I'm pretty sure Zoloft made me attempt suicide twice.

Started smoking pot in HS and used off and on recreationally for years. Didn't put together until later in life that pot was the only thing that kept me on an even keel, leveled out the highs and lows a little, i always assumed that was because i was addicted.

Just recently i started doing some research into Cannabis and bipolar and lo and behold all these years i had been self medicating - not to get high, but to feel normal! It doesn't mask the symptoms, just makes them more tolerable. Sometimes bipolar can be fun and i don't want to block that - my highs tend to be when i'm at my most creative and i've learned over the years to use that to my advantage - the lows - not so much, but pot helps some.

Pot has allowed me to have a normal life as a homemaker, wife to my wonderful husband, my HS sweetheart and Mommy to two wonderful boys (one with special needs). It slows down my racing thoughts and helps me focus, and it keeps the irritable edge off being a bipolar ADHD stay at home mom of two kids!

Been vaping exclusively for a few weeks now and I think vaping is more beneficial for me as it preserves the clarity but still provides the mood regulating effect. It doesn't seem to have as much of a sedating effect as smoking, but sometimes i need that. maybe i should save abv from the day and revape it at night for the sleepiness?

also anybody know the compounds in MJ that affect bipolar?

any thoughts?

I cant say that I am bi-polar, but I too have suffered from depression from my teen years. Been on the plethora of meds as well, and Ive finally settled on Lexapro (and my self medicating). Most recently, I was diagnosed as being adult adhd and was put on a zombifying med that I HATED (while my doc kept telling me to 'stay away from the weed')

Its ironic, that the more I learn about the plant, the more I understand of how it helps me as well
I wish I could have been this enlightened when I was younger though!

 

[rabblerouser]

this is a big mmj list from another site has some links for bipolar

http://forum.grasscity.com/medical-marijuana/525051-granny-storm-crows-mmj-reference-list.html

 

[herbgirl]

Thanks, all.

masbanji, the dopamine thing is what intrigued me enough to delve into further research. i knew there had to be a good reason for it's effect.

AGBeer, when i was a teen, my docs told me to stay away from mj too, i stopped then they put me on Zoloft (and a few others for good measure) and i ended up in the hospital under suicide watch on 3 occasions. so not too much faith in docs for my psych needs. all of the convetional pharmaceuticals i have been on have intolerable side effects.

My dear husband and I have had some major battles over my meds. He would tell me that i needed to be on something - anything, and then when i would go on drug after drug he would complain that i was a zombie with no libido. He understands and is incredibly compassionate now, but between the shrinks and the meds he was probably very close to splitting before we even got married. I can say that I blame him, i could be pretty horrible to deal with.

MJ is not as effective at full symptom control as pharmaceuticals (i.e. total numbness), but I am not looking for full control autopilot, just a seatbelt, steering wheel and a hand brake, if you will. I have learned over the years to live with my condition, accepting it, sometimes even embracing it, as a part of who i am.

rabble, i'm going to have to comb those links on that page thoroughly when i have some time. what a great list!

 

[max]

Been vaping exclusively for a few weeks now and I think vaping is more beneficial for me as it preserves the clarity but still provides the mood regulating effect. It doesn't seem to have as much of a sedating effect as smoking, but sometimes i need that. maybe i should save abv from the day and revape it at night for the sleepiness?

I know what you mean with the prescription 'zombie' meds. I've seen it with family members on my wife's side.

Smoke is definitely more sedative-smoke byproducts tend to be sedative, and a few high temp compounds are as well. Revaping at higher temps is an option, as is going for an Indica strain or Indica dominant hybrid (assuming you're able to be that selective) when you want a more sedative effect.

 

[steiner666]

As long as you vape from fresh green to dark brown in one sitting, rather than vaping lightly and then at higher temps later on, i wouldnt see much reason for there to be a significant difference. As others have said the smoke itself creates a sedative effect and triggers your bodys immune system and such. But as long as you vape to the point where your abv comes out the color of mine in the picture below, again in one sitting, you will have a buzz just as heavy as smoking, but you'll feel a lot less sick/snotty/burnt-out.

btw, theres no black whatsoever in that bowl, just a nice dark chocolate brown, darker than the chocolate on the nutty bar lol. I think as a new vapist, you tend to not be familiar enough with your vape to get as good of extraction as you can. A lot of ppl probably err on the side of safety, and leave behind stuff in their abv to avoid possible combustion, which is understandable. Ppl usually plan to cook with the remains or something. I find that separating these higher temp compounds and such just doesnt produce as fulfilling of buzzes as when they are combined. Sometimes it can be handy to lightly vape, like if you're at work, and not have that space-out couch-lock effect. And like you said, revaping that stuff later on will give you a knock out effect pretty good. I just like a balance of both all at once usually.

As you become more familiar with you vape, its temp range, draw speeds, and your herb and the temps it likes to give off its goodness, you will be able to milk some more out of your herb without charring it. Of course this is easier done in some vapes than others. i vape at a medium and high temp setting too, dont just dive right in with high temp. For instance, on my ssv, i start around 1 and finish close to 3. Anyways, i find that this last bit is pretty essential to getting that sedated, tunnel-vision, numbface effect. Hits dont even taste bad at this point because of how evenly its being vaped (i stir and rotate bowl compulsively tho)

 

[herbgirl]

I know what you mean with the prescription 'zombie' meds. I've seen it with family members on my wife's side.

Max, zombie doesn't even begin to describe it. it's a horrible feeling, but the docs told me i was supposed to feel like that, that's how it evens you out! I just stuck with it like that for a few years and it was not good at all. Its like you are stuck inside yourself - not a good way to live.

and boy do i wish i had access to something other than 'downtown brown', well, maybe it's not THAT bad, but it sure as hell doesn't look as pretty as some of the budporn i see.
I didn't know weed without seeds existed lol! I've only smoked seedless a few times in my life, and i've been using MJ for about 15 years.

i don't live in an MMJ state (MD). I read that our House passed a MMJ bill last session, but I haven't heard anything further. I am involved in local politics though, I've been planning to bring this up with my Delegate (who is also my neighbor) and see what he thinks. I am a Conservative and an upstanding citizen and he knows it, I think he'll be shocked to hear me suggest such a thing.

steiner, i figured that out last night. I hadn't been taking it far enough. Taking it to that dark dark brown gives me the effect i need when i am looking for some sedation. can't take it that far during the day though - i need to be able to keep up with my two and five year olds! I'll probably just add the lightly vaped stuff to a pinch of fresh and take the whole trench to chocolate brown once the kids are down and get some much needed mommy time out. That should allow it to be heavy on the sedating compounds, but with some of the taste and effect of fresh. i think?

I only have a MFLB now, but have plans for a PD and an SSV in the future. The SSV especially, because i will actually diffuse essential oil blends in it. But for now the LB is really doing the trick. doesn't taste stale or icky because i shake after every hit. it's working for me.

 

[AGBeer]

I know what you mean with the prescription 'zombie' meds. I've seen it with family members on my wife's side.

Max, zombie doesn't even begin to describe it. it's a horrible feeling, but the docs told me i was supposed to feel like that, that's how it evens you out! I just stuck with it like that for a few years and it was not good at all. Its like you are stuck inside yourself - not a good way to live.

and boy do i wish i had access to something other than 'downtown brown', well, maybe it's not THAT bad, but it sure as hell doesn't look as pretty as some of the budporn i see.
I didn't know weed without seeds existed lol! I've only smoked seedless a few times in my life, and i've been using MJ for about 15 years.

i don't live in an MMJ state (MD). I read that our House passed a MMJ bill last session, but I haven't heard anything further. I am involved in local politics though, I've been planning to bring this up with my Delegate (who is also my neighbor) and see what he thinks. I am a Conservative and an upstanding citizen and he knows it, I think he'll be shocked to hear me suggest such a thing.

steiner, i figured that out last night. I hadn't been taking it far enough. Taking it to that dark dark brown gives me the effect i need when i am looking for some sedation. can't take it that far during the day though - i need to be able to keep up with my two and five year olds! I'll probably just add the lightly vaped stuff to a pinch of fresh and take the whole trench to chocolate brown once the kids are down and get some much needed mommy time out. That should allow it to be heavy on the sedating compounds, but with some of the taste and effect of fresh. i think?

I only have a MFLB now, but have plans for a PD and an SSV in the future. The SSV especially, because i will actually diffuse essential oil blends in it. But for now the LB is really doing the trick. doesn't taste stale or icky because i shake after every hit. it's working for me.

I think that we are around the corner (or at least closer than some other states)
NJ has passed their law
DC has passed theirs (and should be taking apps for dispensaries here soon)
Us neighboring states (VA here) should follow suit - hopefully.

 

[Lycanthrope]

I'm also bi-polar as well as having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with panic attacks. I dont know which is worse, the bi-polar or the PTSD. I have been self-medicating for at least 30 years and didn't know it. I just knew that I felt allot better when I toked. I currently take Lamictal, Seroquel, Buspar and Alprazolam. I dont toke anymore as I only vape with my MZ. This really helps my PTSD and panic attacks the most. The mania is also much easier to tone down and control. My doctor doesn't like me using MJ but did he ever use it, no. Due to the MJ I'm now at the point of eliminating both the Buspar and Alprazolam for the PTSD and panic attacks. I dont live in med MJ state so it's not easy to get my MJ on a regular basis and when I do I never know how good it will be usually a mid, probably Mex brick. The MZ really helps me stretch it out, over what Id be using if I still rolled joints.

 

[herbgirl]

AGBeer,
Actually I was wrong, It was our Senate that passed a bill but there is still a ton of gray area. no provisions for access, or even a card at this point.
There is a minimal fine imposed if you can prove that your herb is for medicinal usage, but what doc would back it up? I was never 'officially' diagnosed with bipolar, but I am a textbook case. I have no 'proof' of my condition because i got so disgusted with mental health professionals that i stopped seeing them.

The only proof I need is the fact that i can live with my condition and still function in society as a football mom, mom of a special needs child, homemaker, community activist, etc.



going to do some more homework.

 

[GreenLeaf]

I'm not bipolar but I have lots of friends who are.

If you're bipolar or have other mental health issues find a good shrink and get on medications that work.

Self medicating with drugs like herb and other drugs is not a good thing if you are bipolar or have other mental illnesses.

In Jersey there is medical herb but it's only for people diagnosed with severe illnesses like cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrigs disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/nyregion/12marijuana.html?_r=1

 

[herbgirl]

I'm not bipolar but I have lots of friends who are.

If you're bipolar or have other mental health issues find a good shrink and get on medications that work.

Self medicating with drugs like herb and other drugs is not a good thing if you are bipolar or have other mental illnesses.

In Jersey there is medical herb but it's only for people diagnosed with severe illnesses like cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrigs disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/nyregion/12marijuana.html?_r=1

The point is that i've tried almost every pharmaceutical out there and have no desire to subject myself to the side effects anymore. The side effects were almost worse than the depression. Every person's depression is different and should be treated as such. Not to mention the cost as my insurance sucks ass. and the cost of a shrink. I have a special needs child so i have no $$$ left over for those things.

Self medication may not work for your friends, but i've been relatively stable for quite a few years. I (or my husband) can generally anticipate the lows and be prepared for them. I've been living with it long enough to know the signs. My family knows too so they also keep and eye out for me. I'm not 'a danger to myself and others' as they say.

I'm also an herbalist, i treat almost everything with herbs and am very comfortable and familiar with them.

I would never be stupid about it, if i NEED formal mental health treatment, i will seek it, and have done so in the past. But, as it stands now, marijuana has been very successful in moderating my moods without all of the side effects that I was getting from pills.

I now know others have had the same experience.
to each his own

 

[Lycanthrope]

Green Leaf:
I strongly disagree with you about MJ not helping Bi-Polar. I'm Bi-Polar and your probably not, so how can you intelligently comment about the effects of MJ on a Bi-Polar condition. Theres an old saying about Viet-Nam it says - "Shut your mouth if you haven't been there". Well, you haven't been there (Bi-Polar and medicated with MJ), and Ive been in both places (four combat tours). I speak from years of actual positive experience. I have a doctor (psych) and take 4 different meds to combat the Bi-Polar as well as PTSD. In addition there are many doctors and scientific studies that support MJ use helping in the cases of Bi-Polar, PTSD, and panic attacks. The herb helps me more than the prescribed meds especially the panic attacks and manic states. The MJ takes up where the prescribed meds run out of steam so to speak as it make a fine and effective adjunct to the meds. I can choose to use a Sativa for my depression and Indicas for the panic attacks, mania, and PTSD. I speak from years of actual positive experience, not an opinion. Please reconsider your absolute opinion, or at the least admit that your opinion may be at least in part incorrect. Everyone has an opinion and their certainly entitled to it. Some opinions are based upon fact, hearsay, rumors, and second or third hand information; the best opinions are based on facts or actual experience.

 

[mook2420]

Been diagnosed Bipolar II for just over 5 years, had horrid bouts of depression as a teen and again in my mid twenties to now mid thirties. Also dealt with social anxiety and generalized anxiety. Not to beat a dead horse but I too tried almost every "drug" out there, including ones that were over 300 USD a month out of pocket WITH a 400 a month private health insurance premiums... not exactly financially viable. Tried to stay away from herb and tried things with herb with plenty of time in between. Tried to be honest with pdocs and not sometimes when they were unwavering about the subject. Tried so many doctors. With traditional therapy, coming off all the meds after so long, now just vaping and using hash capsules, it has been the only thing that has worked for longer than 3 months out of everything. It has helped me in my quest to lose weight, motivate to take more control over the things I can, to take the initiative even when everything seems terrible and most importantly it has helped me relax and not be too hard on myself when things are tough. Being able to take it as "medicine" instead of focusing on all the negative warnings of psychosis which may only even apply to .03% of mental health cases is what has made a difference for me. I reframe it as being a viable treatment for an ailment I have and suddenly I feel like I'm not a criminal or going against the doctor's wishes and it is fantastic. My condition is interfering less with the life I want to have and so there is all the evidence I need to know it has helped me and could likely help others. While I'm glad I tried all those drugs because I was serious about giving anything a shot, my liver is not. One of the designer drugs for bipolar messed me up really badly, I was NOT advised to get my thyroid and other bloodwork checked during and between trying those crazy meds. I wish I had never injesting a single antidepressants or benzo. In the end I paid a lot of money towards pills that made me even sicker in ways I couldn't have even imagined.

 

[m0sh]

Its not about vaping vs smoking.
Its about finding the right strain for your health issue.

Vaping will always be better.
My friend suffers from schizophrenia, he doesn't touch any sativa, he only does indica strains, and not every strain is good for him.