Anxiety & Marijuana

rastaman · Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Hello all,

Thank you for all the great experiences shared, first of all. InI a rasta man of 21 and have been smoking 2 ounces of herb a week for 4 years now. No matter how down I felt or happy or sick or in pain or just feeling negative, the herb seemed to blow away any and all wickedness and sorrow - a true blessing from Jah! There was no limit to the beautiful heights herb would take me. I am extremely health conscience and follow the ways of the nazarites spoken of in the Bible (no alcohol, meat or anything not directly out of earth). Until a month ago I felt amazing... at the gym 5 days a week, running, biking everywhere, working. One month ago I was bit by a widow spider while hiking alone off a trail near my home in Oregon. I was overcome with disorientation, racing heart, short breath, very faint, eventual full body numbness. InI were stuck for at least an hour in the one spot. I yelled for anybody that might be near, but got no answer... eventually a man taking a jog on trail heard my cry and came to me and I was able to get medical attention. In my youth (age8-12) had some anxiety usually around school and feeling very much like an outsider. However, since that time I have overcome any of that, with the exception of the usual uneasy feelings of being intimate with someone for the first time and the like. In general though, I had made my decision about what InI are here on earth to do and felt no fear in any situation because I understand the silliness in being fearful - it is just life - that's all we 'ave so we must 'ave it! Since the bite, and that whole experience I developed a fear of being alone, of driving, of any exercise, of being anywhere I know I can't immediately get out of, cant take it too cold or too hot, and worst of all my one God given remedy to all that ales me (MARIJUANA) all of which throws me into a severe panic attack even when i smoke very little. I had Never experienced these fears or panic when using herb... it was always a total blessing Sad

I didnt even mention ALL the tress I endured leading to this, but lets just say it has been a trying year anyway. A doctor believing i had developed an anxiety condition prescribed Clonazepam at least to allow my mind to be at ease and deal with any actual symptoms from the bite without dealing with anxiety. I am absolutely against pharmie drugs except as a last resort, but after losing 20 pounds from a body that didnt need to lose one and feeling like im slowly dying, I thought maybe I'd concede for now.

I would love ANY advice as to when I may be able to enjoy herb and life again as I knew it as I feel like a different person completely in just one short month - and while I am thankful for every little thing I miss being an active participant of life! Bless you all and of course all thanks and praise the Most High HIM Jah Rastafari for Iver.

Below is a website that may further help in your inquires:

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**edited by moderator**web addresses not allowed**

macman7469 · Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

Alrite so ive been reading a lot of people's comments on how and i see that some of us have been going through the same things. Ive smoked for about 3 and half years and wen i did, i was smoking anywhere from 2-7 times a day!......it wasnt until recently that i had to pretty much quit smoking for like a month and now i jus smoke occasionaly on the weekends. I stopped pretty much because i was getting serious panic attacks where my arms would get numb and my heart raced and id sweat badly. i used to be able to drive fine on weed but then i couldnt nemore cuz i was always freaking out and having bad anxiety attacks...I almost blacked out a couple of times and i had to always go home and try and calm myself down through breathing techniques and anti-anxiety techniques. Id even eat food to help me get unblazed lol...the only times i can ever smoke now is once in a while during the weekends and it hasta be wen im drinking cuz for sum reason, alcohol and weed together clear my head and i dnt ever get anxiety attacks wen i combine them. So thats sum advice for those that went through the same stuff, jus smoke wen ur drunk and ull feel more drunk and better! lol

Jay Kay · Newbie Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

Hey guys, unfortunately, I am going through the same problems as everyone else. I have been a very big pot smoker for the last 8 months and i've just entered my first semester as a freshman in College. The whole summer I smoked every day of the week and I felt amazing. When I came to college I had decided to settle down for a little bit and try handling things without the THC on my lungs 24/7. College was a huge change and I became very stressed with work, meeting new people, and my confidence. After two weeks of not smoking I lit up my first blunt and ended up puking, also, I developed a very bad headache - I figured it was bad bud and I would be fine the next time. The next time I decided to smoke was when I was very drunk one night with my best friend. After five minutes of the blunt my heart began to beat VERY fast and I had trouble breathing: I really thought I was going to die, this was the worst pain and worry I have ever experienced. Ever since this incident I have tried smoking but the rapid heart palpitations have remained prevalent. After seeing a doctor they concluded that I am facing an anxiety disorder. I hope after seeing a counselor and getting medicine I will be able to smoke again. This is a horrible predicament but I believe if one can take care of the anxiety problem, they will be able to smoke again.
-Does anyone know if medicine will allow one to smoke again?
-Has anyone overcome anxiety and continued smoking again?
Please help me and if u guys need to talk just reply. It is a sucky predicament to be in but I never want to give up on weed. Anxiety is a bitch, HELP ME GUYS!

dpushee · Newbie Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

Guest · Guest

i need help...everytime i smoke i get paranoid...i think everyones stealing my shit..i think im freaking out or talking too much..i think everyone hates me which results in me leaving the room and going to talk to myself in a corner for about 10 mins...everytime i leave the room i hear all my friends laughing but when i go back they dont even say a word to me or eachother ... are they laughing behind my back about me? or do i just end up leaving at the wrong times when theres actually something funny going on..my breathing gets all weird( or so i think)...everyday after i smoke and wake up..i ask my good friend if i was acting weird last night or anything at all and he says no...but theres just a sinking feeling that i become a freak everytime im high and everyone hates me....look at me...im still kinda high, im blabbering on about nothing... i just want to know if i keep smoking..will i eventually get used to it and stop being paranoid...or will it always be like this?

lalabelle · Newbie Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 18

Hey, a few people on this post have said that others are feeling the same as them. Well, I'm feeling pretty much everything everyone just said at the moment! For the past year, I smoked nearly every day. However, the past few weeks I've been feeling spaced out and a couple of weeks ago I smoked and then for a few hours my heart was beating really fast and I had to really concentrate on my breathing. I stopped smoking for a week or two, then I had 2 tokes on a spliff, and that alone sent me into the same state. It wore off when I walked around and put my mind on different things, but since then I've been feeling anxious and very aware of my breathing and heart rate. I don't think I've had a panic attack, although I have had sudden moments where I feel quite anxious. They don't seem to be as extreme as what I've read about panic attacks though.
I'm going to go and see a student counsellor so hopefully they can help me. But my advice to everyone is not to smoke again. I know it's hard, I miss the social aspects of smoking ... but I know that it really doesn't agree with me anymore. Anyway, reading all this has made me feel much better, so thank you everyone.

crazyness · Newbie Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Wisconsin

It feels good to know I am not the only one who has experienced anxiety when smoking weed. I am 17 and have been smoking heavily since I was 12. I have never had any problems but tolorance until recently within the past 2 months. It started at a friends house where we were smoking with quite a few people. I normally get nervous around large groups of people, but this time was diffrent. We smoked a few bowls between eachother and I started to notice some wierd things going on. Someone who was there I didn't know very well secretivly pulled out a camera and started whispering to the girl next to her, and I began to get nervous.. I though she may be taking pictures for later embarassment, which I have never had happen to me before, but I was convinced she was out to get me. The one girl there, who puts herself out to be a total skank told my friends brother that she liked to play games. At that note, he went downstairs and began playing pool abnoxiously by himself, which was wierd because I made the connection and it freaked me out. I sat in the chair my mind was going crazy, and wouldn't be surprised if you could see it in my face. I decided to go outside and have a cigarette and everyone decided to follow, which made me feel even wierder. The whole time this was going on I was thinking I was driving myself nuts. I actually felt physically sick to my stomach. My feeling did go away after leaving a few hours later, but ever since then smoking hasn't been the same. I had no more problems until about a week later. I smoked, and started thinking about a lot of things going on in my life between me and other people, and started coming up with these out of wack idea's that people were trying to get at me, mentally attack me, and play mind games.. These ideas seemed logical and made a lot of sense to me, even after sobering up. I didn't let all this interfere just yet with my smoking until I told my sisters husband about this problem, and he looked at me like I was a complete idiot and really didn't know what to tell me. I felt alone on this, that no one has ever felt the same way, and that I am literally going crazy. Then my old friend had mentioned something of the sort of himself having panic attacks from smoking while he was hanging out with me for the past year. I didn't tell him that I was experiencing the same thing, but I wish I would have to feel that kind of support from another. I have began to cut down, but when smoking marijuana becomes more than a habit, more of your best friend and a big part of your life it's tough. I have been cutting down a lot, and haven't smoked for at least 2 weeks, which is the most I have gone without it in 5 years. I am still experiencing withdrawl symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritability, and anger and they seem to only be intensifying. I am working on it though, and hope to soon say I am completely sober.

Shaded · Newbie Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

It's unfortunate to hear that you're suffering Anxiety from smoking the green, but don't sweat it because i'm in the same boat.

here some backround:

I'm 18.
I'm a male of light weight (150-165) @ 6' tall, and decent tolerance!

So, in my personal experiences as of the past 8-10 months If smoke a body high (Indica) ganj, and a SMALL amount of it (one solid full lung hit, and zeroing it! and perhaps a second if i'm feelin' good), and nothin' more I achieve a fairly good high (I re-up every 2-3 hours based on how high I am, just gotta take it slow and you can be just as high as everyone else!). If you don't have a chance to re-up and really want to, be smart! I've had far too many close calls in my days of smokin'.

If I smoke a mind high (Sativa), it fucks me left and right. (Originally I started smokin' white widow and train wreck - two common and potent sativa's around here. - Because of something, I can no longer do this, and smokin' Sativa's make me freak the f*** out *shrug*). if I want to smoke this I have to take it REALLY slow, and it keeps me high for nearly twice as long, but the panic attacks that follow suit almost aren't worth it.

My ANXIETY symptoms include, but are not limited to:
constant fear of death, have difficulties eating (I feel like i'll choke if I eat), constantly watching breathing, elevated heart rate, vision distortion, spooked easily, dry mouth with a very phlegmy throat feeling, can't breathe through my nostrils, stomach aches / nausea / heartburn, and the usual panic symptoms (racing thoughts, confused, etc.)

My DEPRESSION symptoms included:
Depersonalization - The dreamy feeling of not being real - you may feel as though you are living third person or not controlling your body (as if looking out your eyes from a seat in your movie theater). Hopelessness, Anger, Loss of Appetite, Increased Desire to Sleep (You need 7-9 hours, you shouldn't need a nap if you're getting this much!), Confusion, Memory Loss, and a real lack of self worth.

If any of this sounds familiar, continue reading!

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Panic Attacks When High!
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If you're experiencing a panic attack high, or someone you know is (try and watch for the signs) PLEASE HELP them out and get them back on track by:

1. Have them drink a bottle of chilled water (atleast 12oz) over the course of the panic attack.
- Simple rehydration that will combat dry throat & cotton mouth, some headaches, nausea, so keep cold waterbottles available!.
STAY AWAY from sugar or energy drinks - this will only make it worse!

2. Get them doing "Gut Breathing".
- Have them place a hand on their chest and a hand on their stomach, when you breathe in your STOMACH should rise, this means you're pulling air INTO the bottom of your lungs - and achieving a more satisfying breath! Have them do this for a little while, if they can't feel the air entering them - it is or they would have passed out prior to trying the exercise! Have them watch a clock if they aren't convinced, i'm sure 5 minutes of oxygen deprivation is bound to reproduce results!

3. If they complain of heartburn along with the water have them take an H2 blocker (WARNING: IF THEY ARE ON ANY MEDICINE YOU WILL WANT TO CONSULT A DOCTOR WITH A QUICK CALL PRIOR TO TAKING! DON"T BE AFRAID TO ASK, THEY ARE THERE TO HELP!). An H2 blocker is a very powerful antacid that stops your body from producing gastrin, a nasty little hormone that causes your body to create more acid, and it neutralizs the acid in the stomach. The water will will the acid that might be coming up prior to the kick in of the H2 blocker. My personal suggestion is a "Pepcid Complete CHEWABLES", it's about $11 a bottle, and if taken before smoking it will help you out big time! - if you can't get a hold of this don't give tums! - it makes acid way worse! (I had h.pylori so I know a thing or two about what upsets stomachs! Very Happy

) - wear loose fitting clothes and lay on your LEFT side to help your stomach hold down acid!
If you continue to have heartburn when smoking - WATCH WHAT YOU EAT. Try and stay away from chips despite the muchies - find a less greasy, sugary and filling snack. There are TONS out there! (Eat veggies, no joke. Eat Celery and safe mushrooms to add seratonin and vitamin d into your system - mood changers!)

4. Have them lay down with a cool pillow, away from people if possible. Having no one else in the area can ease the overwhelmed and crowding sensation that starts the attacks. If there is no place to lay down, step outside and have them take a few gut breaths! Don't try and have them smoke a cigarette because those who have nicotine sensitivity will re-up and it's a bitch to wait any longer through a panic attack! (When I smoked I used to crave cigs to re-up when I didn't want more weed. The buzz always intensified my mind highs, and sometimes stirs up my body high!)

5. if you're in a safe place (friends house, their house) or a place where they can sleep - have them nap and wake them up in an hour. You can panic yourself into sleep and the forced downtime helps you calm down a ton! make sure it's atleast 45 minutes, to let REM sleep do a little work! Very Happy

)

6. Don't let them smoke so much, or at all - sometimes over doing it causes my attacks, keep an eye out for your smokin' buddies, it their job to do the same for you! A little bit after an attack can bring it all back, but this time you'll/they'll know how to handle it.

7. When they re-enter a calm state VIDEOGAMES, VIDEOS and MUSIC.
These should distract your overworked friend/self. Believe me, playing something like Super Smash Brothers helped fight a ton of my anxiety attacks when I knew I had smoked too much! Stay away from abrasive music, and creepy movies - stick to electronica and cartoons.

8. If they have the balls to re-up, smoke an INDICA! These help stop anxiety! But don't send someone into toxic psychosis (When you have too much THC in your body that it cannot work out and you have schizophrenia like symptoms - IE: A Bad Trip!), wait for the attack to be gone before taking a small amount!

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Preventitive Measures
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1. If they must smoke, have them smoke an Indica. My rule of thumb is, If you don't know what it is, DON'T SMOKE IT! Indica helps Anxiety while Sativa makes it FAR worse.

2. Have them eat PRIOR to smoking - I can't tell you how many panic attack resulted because I ate too fast! They might miss out on the high eating experience but they'll thank themselves. Make sure they drink WATER before hand (I always had 2 McChickens and a cup of water!)
Don't overeat! It takes 1-2 hours for your stomach to start breaking things down and atleast 2+ hours expell contents from the stomach, so watch when you eat!

3. Complaining of heartburn? Take a chewable H2 blocker as listed above.

4. Be in good health! Don't smoke if you're depressed or on certain medications! (ex: Antibiotics because sometimes the two don't mix and it starts you on the longest bad trip of your life.)

5. Remember, smokin' can be a whole world of fun, but you do have priorities, and sometimes knowing you have your shit done prior to smoking ensures a SMOOTH sailing high!

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Depression / Anxiety post smoking
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If you feel any of the symptoms I listed about a million words up you might want to try this, I know it worked for me!

1. Do a "Dry run" - A "Dry Run" is a adequate sobering up period. I suggest 80 days MINIMUM! (the first day of the 80 days starts AFTER the day after you smoke) This is a good time to focus on EVERYTHING below.

2. Eat healthy - Taking a multivitamin each day, and make sure you are getting in good amounts of B12 (for energy, from meats,eggs, etc), Vitamin C/D (Immune/Mood), and other essentials. (So get ready to love cereal, it has a lot of what you need Razz

)

3. Work on your stress - If school is bumming you out, try and get organized and on top of your game. When I started smoking I used to put things off and it end up costing me - but starting off the year on a good note and focusing on my grades gave me a GREAT cover for why I wasn't smoking (with a 3.75 GPA, a burnout does not make. Razz

), and shows responsibility if you are caught! Be smart and get your homework/project done before smoking, get a little ahead because the extra two hours you invest is 4 more hours you can stay high this weekend.)

4. Work Out - Next to the Eating healthy and priortizing this helped me OUT of depression - I used to do bike riding, and the endorphin release was enough to knock me on my ass sometimes - i'll substitute a solid endorphin release over being high some days! IF you can force yourself to stick with it your motivation will return very shortly when you see the effect you're getting - not to mention the bonus aesthetics and self confidence booster.

These all seem like common things, but in this day and age of trying to be tiny adults we forget these things - so use your head! These all combined together will stop you from having to wait 2 weeks for your Celexa to kick in!

5 (If applicable) When your dry run is done and your depression/anxiety isn't better - seek a support group but more importantly a group/classes (hopefully offered by your local hosiptal) on understanding and coping with anxiety and depression - the knowledge will help you understand how you work!
I also suggest (if in college/where available) an abnormal psychology, or drug psychology class. If you want to know whats happening you, you'll find out right there.

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Hopefully all of this can be of good use, and help out the next wave of smokers and hopefully some of the more experienced ones.
So have fun, smoke safe and remember your priorities.

Believe me, having a victory smoke is better than having to have a smoke to relieve preventible tension any day of the week. Smile

Guest · Guest

Do not smoke weed if it makes you feel nervous. I smoked from 15 years old to 27 daily. It was great! At the age of 28 I began to have panic attacks while high on weed. I now am un-able to smoke weed. I have tried to smoke and every time- Racing thoughts, Heart throbbing, SWEATY SWEATY palms. Cant sit still- I end up in a cold shower every time.- I think things in life happen for a reason- During the years I smoked I had several deaths in my family and other problems I would not have been able to deal with without cannabis- Although I believe to experience true peace it can only be found with a clear mind. Free from any other source such as weed. At 28 I unexpectedly started a family and have children. I believe God had other plans for me. I am now raising a family, exercising, Eating healthy and living a whole different style of life. Look deeper at your life with a clear mind to find your true meaning. Weed does have a purpose on this earth and is beautiful. But you can see the truth through a calm clear mind only-

Guest · Guest

Here's the gest guys. A bachelors in nutrition and associates in culinary arts I know about food, i'm a 4 star chef and I'm 23 years old. I've had prior history of anxiety at the age of 16 and then ending at 18.

Marijuana is a mild form of LSD, it's a combination of psycho active chemicles that our bodys produce and recieve in miniscule quantitys. THC is essentially a fat solubile chemicle vitiman. It assists receptors in the brain and body as do other vitimans like vitiman D ( absorption and Xport of Calcium ) and Vitiman C ( immune system stimulant ).

With that said, It's a chemicle vitiman that assists appetite, well being, judgement of stimulated effects such as heart rate, breathing, temperature, and the biggest one, paranoia and FEAR.

Now, reading this thread, it seems alot of people who have already used marijuana are experiencing anxiety when smoking weed. I had anxiety even before smoking weed, so, in conclusion? Looks like people on these forums just happened to be going through anxiety at a point in their life and marijuana intensifies it.

The only way to get rid of bad tripping on marijuana is to beat anxiety first, it's knowing the one and only rule of anxiety.

You cannot die from anxiety, you cannot overdose on anxiety.
Your body is strong, way strong, and your brain is even stronger, anxiety can raise blood pressure and heart rate, but not beyond the means of putting your body in any physical harm, because your body is coded not to kill itself but to live and survive.

HAving anxiety in association with smoking marijuana is completely normal, and cannot hurt you. On another note, to a poster above on the previous page about having anaflactic shock in the ambulance with heart equiptment, and 35 CC's of valium...

Don't eat so much weed idiot, sounds like you had what's called too much of a good thing. Besides, if you would have stayed asleep your body wouldn't have been in a panic and you would have woken up when your body was ready, and be sober.

Anxiety & Marijuana

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