Medical Marijuana and Panic Disorders - Anxiety and Depre...

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Medical Marijuana and Panic Disorders

IlMinded profile image
20 Replies

Hello everyone,

I am going through some personal ordeals and would like to gather more information off of others experiences. My back story, I have had issues with depression and anxiety since I was a teenager, but nothing severe. Had a very close loss and have been a wreck since. First was misdiagnosed with Depression. Started on Sertraline and was on and off for 10 years. First therapist and I didn't connect so stopped going to them. 4 years after I stopped going, I got really bad again. I started with a new therapist (I found a keeper with this one) who helped me realize the problem was that I am misdiagnosed and started me with CBT. This started at end of 2021. At beginning of 2022, I found out that anxiety disorders are allow to be treated with medical marijuana in my state. I figured I would try legal delta 8 gummies to see if I am worse or better. Let me tell you that taking them opened my mind to help realize what was going on over the course of last year. After one year of taking them, I feel like I finally am getting better.

Ultimately, I wouldn't want to take anything long term, but the gummies make getting to sleep easier and reduces stress that aides in the panic attacks. It also helps knock me out of the attacks quicker.

Does anyone have experience dealing with medical marijuana? Did it help you with your issues? Are you still on a prescription, or did you ween yourself off? Sorry, if it doesn't meet format, first time poster and happy to find an organization like this.

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IlMinded
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20 Replies
Sabbath1 profile image
Sabbath1

It wasn't medical marijuana but it's just all around legal in Canada

And some years back I was doing it for the anxiety and depression reasons and it did help for some time. until it did the complete opposite lol. So idk for some people they say it's great for it, for me it worked until it didn't. And when it didn't it actually made all the anxiety and stuff worse ( while I was using it ).

EndUser13 profile image
EndUser13 in reply to Sabbath1

That was my experience too, it worked great then all of a sudden it was making anxiety worse- I think I was just using stuff that was too powerful.

ShaneDavies profile image
ShaneDavies

It's been my experience that when I've taken anything to help my anxiety or depression I have been bound to that substance. I have had to try to find ways to work on my anxiety which I don't believe I suffer from anymore my depression is my roadblock at the moment. You have to find ways in your mind to train yourself not to let the anxiety get triggered myself I use a mental trainer which is I ride my bike a lot 100 plus miles a week I force myself the only look down no longer than 10 yards ahead of the front tire this in fact keeps me from looking up the road and getting anxious to start over pedaling this has blended into my consciousness and I no longer suffer from anxiety I can't give you an exact discipline for yourself but I can tell you if you depend on anything other than your mind to suppress anxiety you will become dependent on it and that is my opinion from personal experience I don't know any details of your life so I cannot make any suggestions for you I gave you my experience and I will pray for you and hope for the best.

Penny-dumped-Leonard profile image
Penny-dumped-Leonard in reply to ShaneDavies

Dm me. This is my specialty!

IlMinded profile image
IlMinded in reply to Penny-dumped-Leonard

Me or them?

IlMinded profile image
IlMinded in reply to ShaneDavies

Thanks! I’m eventually want to get to that point but trying to make the determination to go through the approval process or not.

Lou3169 profile image
Lou3169 in reply to ShaneDavies

Wow!! I needed to hear this reply, all my life I've turned to things, convincing myself it's right, hard stuff, got addicted, beat it, then softer stuff, puff was helping me I was convincing myself it helps, which it does at first, our minds are very sneaky at trying to convince us if thst makes sense, even il take a valium now n then just to eliminate the anxiety that's built up, or if I have to go out somewhere, I'm a very confident person once I'm out, even without substances, it took me a few years to get there as I had bad self esteem due to my childhood, but now I get stuck in ruts and Spiral, I just sir there and distract myself with TV, or social media, and I get worse I cannot get motivated, I think I'm starting to see a pattern, I feel like I can see how I've git in thus state ahsin, I literally feel like I can't do nothing chores seem so overwhelming, once I'm up and out I feel OK, and my go to is taking some valium just to take the edge off it, and get in bath and get ready... I feel so stuck in a rut... Sorry if I'm not making sense 💜

IlMinded profile image
IlMinded in reply to Lou3169

sorry to hear, but the grass is greener on the other side. I found my main problem was a proper diagnostic of what is going on with me. Once I was able to figure it out, with the help of my therapist, I was able to look up ways to deal with everything. One of the items with anxiety, and disorders linked to it, is physical excercise. Being a father of 3, and bread winner in the house, I don’t get much time to exercise. So I look at myself to realize when I felt better, and it was the work days where I had more physical activities at work. So I picked up coaching a kids swim team, just going to practice and help kids learn, which makes me walk a ton around the pool, and it helps. The positive feedback of respect from the kids and other coaches and the physical activity has help. Another thing I’m trying is on days we don’t have anything after school, is having a catch with my kids or helping my oldest learn how to play music. The last thing I do, which is sometimes the worst, is sit on my recliner and play whatever weird video games my kids play, with them.

Short story is, you need to find what makes you happy. It’s extremely hard to do on your own, hence why I recommend working with someone that has experience. If you need any pointers on how to get to that point, hit me up!

Lou3169 profile image
Lou3169 in reply to IlMinded

Thank you for your reply... The problem is for me, I do know the answers, I know it's about exercise and eating healthy, and not isolating, and being around ppl with good souls, I'm extremely sensitive to ppls energies, not thst I have a prob dealing with ppl, its just I dint handle stress well, and I've got myself into a rut over the Xmas holidays, I've had 3 bouts of major stress, long story, but one being horrific, and I've really spiralled... I know thus is a learning curve, but my mind has gone blank I really can't get motivated.. Today is the first time I've ever interacted and spoke online about this problem, and tbh I've replied to a few, and I've actually answered some of my own questions in replies, just speaking to likeninded really does help, like I say a learning curve, (major( they say things cone in threes and they sure have, I dint deal with stress thst well so I have to gey me some tools, I need to get back to meditating and exercise, its just I feel stuck in my own head, I've zero motivation, I dint want to tackle the house work, I feel lazy, the only thing I'm up too is doing stuff for my son, he's 15, I feel like I'm getting to the point of where he can see I'm not myself, I only took my Xmas tree down yesterday, I'm putting things omwhich I can off, yet before Xmas and these 3 things thst have happened I was flying, I'd cleated the clutter from my home, painted, I'd started on my goals, and felt so great then bamm!! I just can't believe I'm hete again, the holidays never helped because it was thst week when every day feels the same, and I couldn't brjmg myself to talk about what happened.. Although I had done to a couple of close friends and fam... Its beeb a massive massive learning curve, and I'm still in it, I'm learning from it, its also made me analyse alot of things, thevway my life should be going, its actually been the kick up the backside I've needed, I think I've been a bit too hard on myself as per... Thank you so much for your reply, I've cone to another big realisation in talking to you... I can't thank you enough 💜

Lou3169 profile image
Lou3169 in reply to Lou3169

Ps sorry about the spelling mistakes, I was typing so fast!!! 😩😆👍

012703060610 profile image
012703060610

Yes it is becoming legalized in several states. My father suffers from bone spurs on his heels. At the time he was visiting me, I lived in a state where marijuana was legal recreationally as well. I about died when he asked me to get him something. We talked for an hour with the shop owner, strains of edibles, what to target etc. We landed on 10 pills with some CBD as well. He took one and went for a nap. Three hours later he came down and said he was pain free for the first time! We no longer have access in my state or his, but wow! I find it is all about the strain and your own body. I have a tendency to feel physical pain when ingesting some but less anxiety. To another's point though...marijuana dependency can quickly build. You won't die if you suddenly quit, but it is unpleasant. I had a friend detox for health reasons (vape) and watching his withdrawals scared me to death. It is just like any other thing...alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs...you can get hooked. If you have credible folks to talk to what type might be the best, you would probably feel better giving it a whirl. Just be safe!

EndUser13 profile image
EndUser13

I'm really happy to see all the reefer madness dying out and people understanding the usefulness of cannabis and hemp products. It's weird and funny how humans go through phases of insanity and revile things for a time as a society yet always tend to return to tradition.

Personally marijuana was always a very positive thing for me and helped me through some really dark times. I do think it needs to be used in moderation with the right kind of dose, higher doses seem to lead to psychosis and unhealthy habits. I used to smoke like a chimney but was never able to get a medical cannabis card so I kept smoking high THC strains from dispensaries that too often lead to panic attacks. If you find it useful for anxiety, I would highly recommend you look into something with a good CBD content, likely in a sativa. I'd also be open about your use with your physician if you combine it with any kind of medications.

IlMinded profile image
IlMinded in reply to EndUser13

thanks for insight! I have read articles that strains that have more Sativa do increase anxiety. I’m more a fan of the body high of Indica due to my arthritis issue (have knees and ankles of a 60 year old at 38….) I don’t smoke due to allergy induced asthma I suffer from. I have made tinctures in the past and would be my go to method.

The edibles I use now are from Binoid. As I live in a state that has no regulations on farm act, I can obtain THC alternatives, such at delta 8 and THCO. Binoid is located in CA, but the gummies cost so much. I know I can make a tincture with a quarter ounce and it can last a year. While I would like to go down that path, I need to be careful testing hot for jobs. Current job doesn’t care but one of my triggers is driving, and I drive 2-3 hours per day to commute to work.

EndUser13 profile image
EndUser13 in reply to IlMinded

oh shoot, yeah I feel like such a noob stoner now.. I'm sorry I meant Indica! I could see where Sativa would make a person more anxious.

If you can make a tincture that works for you, that would be really cool! You could always adjust it's potency for your needs. Best of luck with this!

Toddzen profile image
Toddzen

I used legal Marijuana for many years to reduce suicidal thoughts. But it started giving me anxiety and paranoia. In 2022 I did 12 Ketamine treatments with a Doctor. I loved the Ketamine Experience. It's Psychedelic and Blissful. The problem is it cost $500 per trip! I do feel it changed my life. I'm not cured but I feel some happiness again.

IlMinded profile image
IlMinded in reply to Toddzen

Thanks for insight! Is your problem more depression or anxiety? Only reason why I ask is that the journals I read regarding micro-dosing Ketamine states its good for depression. I have not read further into with regards to anxiety disorders. The opposite is true with marijuana where with depression it can actually hurt, while the mind altering aspect helps with panic disorders. The problem with all the information that is out there is that its lacking other studies that support or disagree with due to the classification in the US. Hopefully with the change in the regulations that occurred last year, this will change.

Toddzen profile image
Toddzen

I received Ketamine treatments for Major Depressive Disorder. I also suffer from Anxiety and take Klonopin everyday.

hi and welcome! I used it on and off for last 4 years. I have not used it in over 5 months and now believed it helped more than I realized. I live in a state that delivers Marijuana to your front door. I got a vape pen and loved it. It was a tricky balancing act though. A little was perfect but 1 puff too many and then I’m just completely paranoid and anxiety goes to a 10. Definitely believe in it though. Good luck👍

Stippler profile image
Stippler

I don't want to judge you one way or the other. I think Medical Cannabis really should be legalized, and it is long overdue. But it is not for everybody. I qualify for it where I live because of my PTSD. It seemed to help for a while, but eventually I feel like it made my panic attacks worse. It "opened my mind" in many ways that I think are still beneficial (even though I no longer use). Not saying it would do this for you - we all are different. But after it leading to terrible panic attacks, I had to stop. 20 years later I tried delta 8 and it took me right back into the panic attacks so I stopped that several months ago. I am also schizophrenic, and I feel like it might have made my schizophrenia worse. My psychiatrist told me she was against me using it, but to give it a try, but to do my best to assess it honestly. I came to the conclusion it was no longer beneficial, and it threatened to take away the years of progress I had made without using cannabis. That's just me. Anyway, I would just say being honest with yourself about it is the best approach. That's my experience. Best of luck to you. :)

IlMinded profile image
IlMinded in reply to Stippler

Sorry about it not working as effectively. I only suffer from SAD and Panic Attacks. I had a moment yesterday where I felt an attack coming on, went home and wife mentioned something that father-in-law said when they stopped at our house and it went off. My attacks is like playing Pokémon, I either freeze and curl into a ball, want to leave an area and isolate, or I will rip your head off with my aggression (which frightens me because I am a rather larger person and don't want to hurt people as I am built like an offensive lineman playing football). Last night was the aggression one. Took d8, let it do its magic while isolating from family to make things worse, which I know is kicking in as it does increase my anxiety before snapping out of the attack, put some live DMB recordings on, relax and felt fine but was very teary eyed. I then went on questioning if it is really a panic attack or is it hysteria. Then I remember I also suffer from SAD and realized the d8 helped with the anxiety but what was left was the SAD and was the reason why I was teary eyed.

As you mention, not every treatment works for everyone as everyone is indeed different. This seems to be working for me and clearly shows me it is worth pursuing. Discussed it with therapist and she mentioned if its working to go forward with it. Next is medical.

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