Can I smoke weed?

[SpartanForce]

I mean, is there any problem with smoking weed while taking Abilify?

[bpladybug]

Dude, reaaally

what do you think your psychiatrist would tell you?

You are taking an AAP for your bipolar

weed is not a friend of the bipolar brain, it is just not a good idea

and YOU are not just bipolar, but also OCD, PTSD, Borderline, and anxiety

give the medicine a fucking chance

if I sound irritable it is because your post is NOT the first young bipolar male

asking the pot question today

Edited May 16, 2012 by bpladybug

[Guest Vapourware]

You can smoke whatever you want. Just be mindful of the consequences, which includes potentially exacerbating your symptoms. It's your call.

[Cerberus]

Yeah, whatever.

Look, it's not complicated. You either want a stable brain or you don't. If you do, you can get serious about getting better. If you don't, then you can keep dicking around with ganja. Make a decision, because it's your choice - but you're going to find sympathy thin on the ground around here when you start moaning about how your head is whacked and your moods are fucked and your meds "aren't doing any good."

Oh, and when the cops nab you for possession someday because you apparently run around asking random people if it's okay if you smoke weed, we're going to laugh.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Cerberus

[Velvet Elvis]

I don't deny that it helps some people with their MI symptoms and it's used medicinally for MI symptoms in MM states. It does have the potential to make psychosis and anxiety worse though. Your best bet will be to take just one hit and see what it does.

[reetchbeetch]

I've done it a bunch on meds and it's usually made everything a lot worse. When I'm high I think i've suddenly learned everything i need to know to get better. But really it hasn't been useful or fun and me figuring everything out doesn't turn out to be true. I liked it for awhile but I wasn't really doing that well with it even when i thought i was.

That said i'm with VE. You never know, it could be enjoyable or helpful. I would give a small amount a try with some real friends you trust and see what happens.

Edited May 16, 2012 by reetchbeetch

[Breebree93]

My doctors told me it wouldn't kill me....but you do have to be careful. Remember that it's not legal, 1, and that there are already some funny things going on in the brain. I smoke here and there...but don't make it an everyday thing. Also...don't stop meds for weed. I was told if I was going to smoke to smoke on top of it.

[gizmo]

I've never smoked weed, so I personally don't see the appeal in it. But I know from personal experience that weed messes with the minds of even the most mentally stable people in strange and sometimes negative ways- even maryjane induced psychosis. Now mix that with a MI brain and you are asking for a boatload of trouble.

I would personally imagine the MJ could cancel out the positive mind-calming effects of abilify, but I have no studies to back it up, so it's just my opinion.

My dx'ing pdoc (and every one thereafter) has told me to stay away from drinking and drugs to stay as stable as possible and to not mess with the meds. I've been happy to oblige for seven years now.

[lavender fairy]

I'm one of those people who enjoyed weed back in the day. I also hallucinated from it on multiple occasions, and not plesant hallucinations either. (I once hallucinated that dead people were in my bed).

At the time, the enjoyment I got from smoking weed was worth it to me, but looking back I wonder why. I never got the same effects from weed twice, but perhaps that was because I was smoking different strains from different sources.

The main reason I stopped was because I knew I had gotten mj that was laced with some unknown substance on more than one occasion, and I had no desire to be using other unknown substances. Because of the illegal nature of drug buying in this country, I could never be sure of what I was getting, and that was too much of a risk for me.

Today on meds, I can't imagine what the interaction would be, and I'm not about to try. I'm looking for a steady brain, and I know weed won't give that to me.

Ultimately, it's up to you. There are plenty of people who drink on psychotropics knowing the risks. I really don't see how weed is that much worse. Weigh the potential costs with the benefits and make the decision that seems right for you.

[scatty]

Abilify can cause anxiety, which can be compounded by smoking pot in some people. Those prone to anxiety or pychosis should stay away from it, IMO. Not judging, I've smoked plenty myself, but do be careful.

[Cerberus]

Due to the nature of this thread, I feel obliged to remind everyone that Crazyboards neither advocates nor condones the use of illegal substances, or of controlled substances not prescribed by your doctor or psychiatrist. Discussion of the medicinal/pharmaceutical value of certain substances is a legitimate topic, but the primary purpose of these boards is the discussion of medications prescribed by professional mental health care providers. If you are uncertain whether or not to post a topic related to illegal or controlled substances, please consult the New User Rules or ask any Moderator or Administrator.

Cerberus Yes, I know I'm a stick-in-the-mud, but it's muddy down here in the Abyss.

[Antigone]

Well, you know how your doctors would answer this question. It's like pouring gas onto a fire.

I think the bigger question is "Should you smoke weed with your diagnoses?" Given the properties of weed when smoked, I'm thinking it would make your issues worse and not better, especially over time.

Do you really need to roll those dice?

[larkspur]

I've avoided these mj threads that have cropped up recently.

At age 18, I moved to Oregon for college. Everyone there had this cavalier attitude towards weed. I had never done it until some friends introduced me (in a non-pressured, are-you-sure? kind of way). I saw counselors for my anxiety issues, and they asked how it made me feel. I told the truth, which is that it brought the roar of hyper-critical ruminating anxious thoughts to a refreshing whisper. It helped me. And to my absolute shock, the counselor said, "then why not do it more?"

That was when I feared becoming a stupid stoner, when I thought it would make me hallucinate. It did neither. I have been a daily MMJ user, with some intermissions, for four years, and an occasional social user for two or three years before then. I don't go through every day high. I hardly feel it that way anymore. I don't wake up and toke. In the evenings, when my anxiety is at its absolute worst and I feel like I'll never sleep, it helps me. During the days following, it has the residual, welcomed effect of calming my intrusive thoughts of injury that pervade my consciousness.

That said, if you experience paranoia, hallucinations, or panic attacks generally, it might not be for you. If cannabis makes you feel WORSE, more depressed or anxious or whatever, then recognize that FOR YOU smoking is a destructive behavior. Be open with your tdoc especially about WHY you choose cannabis, how it makes you feel, what you feel it brings to your life. Be mindful of the potential for it to add to sedation from meds (cut back A TON while on Seroquel!) and make sure you're conscientious and responsible with cannabis as you would be with any medication, like a benzo. I have family members with serious drug addiction (heroin) and I understand that FOR SOME PEOPLE it can encourage further recreational experimentation with other substances (like psilocybin, especially in the weed subculture) which obviously is a very bad idea. In my opinion the very worst thing about consuming cannabis is the people you have to associate with to get it. Living in an area with legal MMJ but no dispensaries requires you "know a guy" and that's the worst, not having a reliable, clean, trustworthy medical source or caretaker. Not good, and absolutely the best reason to question the decision to use cannabis - someone above mentioned it being cut with something...and the last thing you need is to accidentally get some PCP. Think about it.

Edited to add: I continued to use cannabis on Abilify, with no noticed effects. If Abilify sedates you, which it can do, then being stoned may make you feel so sleepy that you can't function. It didn't make me sleepy though.

Edited May 16, 2012 by larkspur

[Narshe81]

Weed will not work while on antipsychotics. I have been on antipsychotics for a year and it blocked my weed high. I am off the med for a month now and still cannot get high. I fear that the med has permanently damaged my brain and I can no longer get high off weed anymore.

Edited November 6, 2013 by Narshe81

[IndieVisible]

If you were able to smoke it before with no problems you will prolly be ok. I can't, I wish I could enjoy it like everyone else but for me if I smoke weed it worsens my symptoms BIG time. I become totally delusional, paranoid and hallucinate. On meds or no meds. Also there is scientific evidence linking marijuana and schizophrenia! I'm not making this up, google it. Both effect the same portion of the brain in the same way. Also there is a greater chance some one can develop schizophrenia later on if they smoked marijuana as a teen. There are studies. I was shocked! Of course you would never hear this from pro marijuana  folks  

Edited November 6, 2013 by IndieVisible

[WinterRosie]

If you were able to smoke it before with no problems you will prolly be ok. 

 Or not. Brains change over time. Brains with MI change as well, but can be more unpredictable in their changes. 

Weed + MI = problems.

[The Uncon Pera D]

Wait, you mean you have enough money left over after paying for your meds, to afford weed? I should live so well!

 

No, seriously, it's not a good idea. You've got better things to do with your money--and your brain.

[kitkatt91]

I guess its your prerogative either way and I have known people who claim that smoking somehow helps their MI. personally, I wouldn't. I have completely cut it out of my life because looking back it made everything worse. I am very sensitive to chemicals, even caffeine, so any kind of drug would just be a disaster.

I do have to say though I think I react much worse to pretty much everything while on meds...coffee, alcohol, a shotgun of smoke....doesnt matter. Antipsychotics and substances give me anxiety so bad I seriously think I will die. I won't even sip a beer anymore because its risky, I never can predit what my brain will do. I wouldseriously stay away.

[Dilli]

-

Edited October 18, 2015 by Dilli

[Dilli]

-

Edited October 18, 2015 by Dilli

[Wooster]

Dilli, it's dangerous to suggest "weed won't hurt you".

 

Some people have no issues with pot at all.

 

Some people get psychosis from pot and recover.

 

Some people have a psychotic process that activates an underlying psychotic disorder and continue to struggle for long periods of time.

 

Just so you know... suggesting to others that pot won't be harmful is not a statement you can make because you don't know it's true. You can only state your own experiences.

[San]

Dilli, it's dangerous to suggest "weed won't hurt you".

 

Some people have no issues with pot at all.

 

Some people get psychosis from pot and recover.

 

Some people have a psychotic process that activates an underlying psychotic disorder and continue to struggle for long periods of time.

 

Just so you know... suggesting to others that pot won't be harmful is not a statement you can make because you don't know it's true. You can only state your own experiences.

 

Thanks Woo. It's a bad thing to suggest since it isn't a controlled substance, like alcohol or tobacco, and you never know what you're going to get. It could have something in it, it could be a weird strain.

 

I'd say skip the weed, and take the meds.

[sunnymare]

It's pretty much always agreed with me.

[Music]

Weed gives me psychosis or makes my psychosis worse, every time. If you have a condition where you need to take meds your brain chemistry is already muddled up, why take the chance on making it worse in the long run just for a temporary high?

[Stickler]

Since I am here? my thoughts on weed use:

 

Might make you better for a little while.  Might cause you long-term problems.

 

Probably a rather risky way to mellow out if you're already getting treated for MI stuff, or if such even runs in your family.

 

That said it just made me stupid and not able to pass drug tests.  Were it legal for me to use, and not a reason to get me fired?  I might have a nice pot brownie weekend once every year or so. 

 

However, I have noted that drugs come with drug people...and then your house can get burgled.

[Spadez87]

I mean, is there any problem with smoking weed while taking Abilify?

I think i gave myself no chance against not getting the mental illnesses i was predisposed to. I used a ton of drugs but weed all day every day from 14-26 screwed me the most id say.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Spadez87

[mellifluous]

I mean, is there any problem with smoking weed while taking Abilify?

 

that's probably a terrible idea.

[Energizerhoney]

I can only smoke indica strains, that is the mellow you out kind. If I smoke a sativa stain I'll get paranoid and have a panic attack. They work very differently. That's just an fyi.

[Equivilency]

Of course internet pro-weed propaganda may say its ok, but common sense and experience tells me this is just a terribly bad idea..

Edited February 24, 2014 by dnautics

[MINEISREADY]

 I am currently on wellbutrin XL 300mg, vyvanse 70mg, and viibryd 40mg a day, and my psychiatrist told me it would be ok for me to smoke a little cannabis sometimes. He just DOES NOT want me to drink anymore, and i really miss alcohol. However, I have never smoked any cannabis since I've been on these meds, and am a little scared too.

Some of you have made comments about how cannabis worked on your brains, and what it did for me was make me far more comfortable having sex.
I love to have sex, but am very shy (even though) people tell me constantly i am quite cute and would have no problem meeting people for sex.
It was just the cannabis made me feel so much more relaxed, and I would really get into with so much more intensity.
Realizing some of you do not approve of smoking cannabis at all is a little dissapointing to me.
However, I 'AM' not trying to encouage someone to smoke cannabis b/c it might be fine for me 'DOES NOT' mean it would be ok for anyone else.
I just used to love doing it a lot,and I really miss it. 8-)

[crtclms]

Both  my pdoc and my ndoc in CA knew and agreed with my being a medical marijuana patient because of having a crazy number of migraines. Although, I got the recommendation that the state requires from one of the recommendation mills. The only problem I have found is that if I use it too much, I get rebound headaches. So in that respect it is the same as all of my other migraine meds.

 

Unfortunately, there is no medical marijuana in UT, except for an extract used for a type of childhood epilepsy. There is some level of legality in the states on either side of us, NV and CO.

 

It definitely is not for everyone. It definitely can cause psychosis, and can "find" underlying psychotic disorders. It makes people paranoid, or sometimes makes them into zombies. Caveat Emptor.

[Julia V]

I recently got back on vraylar for my bipolar disorder. This is a new pill that makes me feel chill all the time. Well recently when I started smoking on it I started to feel faint and the other day I smoked a blunt with my boyfriend and all of the sudden I felt very lightheaded so I got out of the car to go inside and lay down and as I was walking I passed out for about 10 seconds. It was the weirdest experience ever it didn't feel real. My boyfriend thought I died. Anyways I think it's because of this medication. So warning to people who do take this medicine and want to smoke. 

[bigbangaz]

My answer for u is very simple can i bipolar 1 with psychosis take lsd?

[Gearhead]

3 hours ago, bigbangaz said:

My answer for u is very simple can i bipolar 1 with psychosis take lsd?

I don't find this a simple answer at all; it's hard to distinguish tone online. But the answer is a resounding no.