Bad Panic Attacks Due To Smoking

[Sunflowersav]

So recently I haven’t been on any medication except a “emergency” medicine I take when I’m having really bad panic attacks and even when I have panic attacks I try to hold off on taking them because I don’t want to become dependent on the emergency medication. Anyways I smoke marijuana (which is legal in my country) and tobacco aswell, this helps me relax and release stress that’s been happening throughout my days. But recently I have been getting panic attacks more frequently when I’m high, and sometimes they get really really bad. Does anyone have any tips because I don’t want to stop smoking marijuana when it calms me down and relieves stress after a long day, but I also don’t wanna deal with these panic attacks and I don’t want to depend on medicine when smoking.

[Dolphin14]

Well, you say it's causing panic so how is it working?

A lot of things are legal and not good for us.

[Sunflowersav in reply to Dolphin14]

It sometimes causes panic, not all the time but more recently it has been starting too. smoking marijuana helps me relive my stress...but then sometimes it gives me panic when I’m smoking both tobacco and marijuana. I don’t want to cut out the marijuana because it does relieve my stress tremendously but I’m thinning smoking the marijuana and the tobacco together causes more panic then just the marijuana does generally.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Sunflowersav]

Then maybe working on the nicotine is the best way to go.

That's not going to be easy either.

I think it's better to eliminate what you think is causing the panic.

At the same time don't let yourself get too panicky before you take your medication. You want to address it when it starts.

[Nancy325]

I agree with Dolphin14 ‘s reply, but also wonder if you’re seeing a Dr for this “emergency” medication and if so, how does he prescribe it? You say you smoke both marijuana and tobacco, and don’t want to stop the tobacco, (I’m assuming), since you say the marijuana helps, but you’re also getting the panic attacks while smoking it. Are you smoking tobacco at or around the same time? We all know tobacco is bad for us and the caffeine alone can cause lots of anxiety, so my only suggestion would be to talk to your Dr, since you’re not telling us much here, and that the emergency medication is no longer working, so he may need to prescribe something else, unless you’re waiting too long to take the meds you know help it because you don’t want to be dependent on them, but you’re also dependent on the tobacco and marijuana, so something has to give here.

I doubt any of us want to take meds all our lives but unfortunately many of us will for mental and/or physical reasons, and many of us know that it’s doubtful we won’t ever be med free, and for me that sucks knowing

Do you know what’s causing your panic attacks? Something new that’s bothering you from the past or present? Is there anyone you can speak to (counselor, etc), who can help you sort things out? You have to be willing to try something different if they’re that bad to where you’re asking here, (IMO), but not ask your Dr, and doesn’t sound like you’re willing to make any changes yourself. Please don’t take this as preaching to you, I’m only offering my opinion, but like the old saying goes, “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too”, if it’s not working for you.

I’d love to wish all my problems and fears away and wake up a different me, but I know unless I change things myself, which I’m not doing very well with now, those things are unlikely to change on their own., and wow is it ever hard to change old habits you’ve fallen into because of anxiety and it’s close friend, depression, that never leave me alone long enough to have an “ok” day, or let me feel better about myself. I say “ok” because I’d easily settle for just ok and still hope for good some day.

I’ve no idea of your age, but I’m old enough to where I’m worried if I don’t change several things on my own in my life very soon, along with medication that helps, it’s doubtful I have a chance of living a happy life, especially since I live alone and my family and friends are pretty much non existent. I have little to no support other than a counselor one hour a week, and I’m scared because of that too. I’m alone in my head far more than I should ever be, and maybe you are too, causing more panic attacks?

Sorry so long, I’m trying to help myself by hopefully helping others, who want help too. I wish you the best and hope you keep us informed of what’s going on with you.

[Sunflowersav in reply to Nancy325]

I’m not on a daily medication I’m prescribed by my doctor an emergency pill I take when I have bad panic attacks and can function without something to take the edge away. This emergency medication cannot be taken everyday as it is a strongly addicting medication. I just wanted to see if anyone who smoked had any tips, as the marijuana helps me relieve my stress but mixing both tobacco and marijuana has started giving me more panic then before without smoking. I can cut out the tobacco as I’m not dependent on it, but marijuana I am. I’m thinking of going to see a therapist who I can talk to once a week or every 2, to talk about the triggers in my life that may be giving me the panic. I think that because I have so much stress going on in my life sometimes when I add these 2 substances together it calms me down briefly but then can cause more panic and stress then I had before. I don’t want to be prescribed anything daily as I’ve tried many anxiety medications to help me daily, but I can cope with my anxiety without the drugs daily as I have been drug free off of any medication for almost a year it’s just when my panic attacks come is when it’s bad and I need that emergency medication to stop what’s happening. I was wondering if anyone had tips or tricks to help panic when it comes, maybe I can try when I’m triggered.

[Gidget1]

I vape CBD & regular vaping liquid. You could try a low level of nicotine. I know someone who was told to use it for PSTD & he said it was helping. If I use the vaper, I don’t want a cigarette (except at key times- 1st thing in the a.m. & after dinner).

Best wishes,

💖

[Sunflowersav in reply to Gidget1]

Soooo many people have recommended CBD oil to treat my anxiety and panic when it happens, I’m looking into getting some CBD oil as I just bought a vape! I’ll let you know how it goes!

[Gidget1]

p.s. marijuana ALWAYS made me anxious/paranoid. Cigarettes never have.

[Sodown in reply to Gidget1]

Yes same cigarettes I can't give in

[Sodown]

I definitely wouldn't smoke marijuana th that's a bad ha it and also sends your chemical imbalance allover your blood flow will me much worse also as it gets into your blood stream to give you a high. I personally don't smoke it no more I have done long time ago but I feel stoned co stand anyway with anxiety so I would like to think what is be like smoking that on top wow no. I suffered anxiety years ago also not as bad as I have now and had 2 puffs of a joint and I had a major panic

[Dogdoo]

Do you always smoke the same strain of cannabis.

I find some can make me anxious, mostly in the sativa family.

I tend to stay with indicas and indica leaning hybrids.

I have a list of about 10 strains that help my anxiety.

I also use a wax vape for concentrates; this way you can really microdose so you get the benefits without being super wasted.

[Sunflowersav in reply to Dogdoo]

I smoke all different kinds of cannabis! Many people told me to stay away from sativa! I may try to go the the dispensary and grab a indica strain and see how I feel off of that.

[Donkey657]

As a depression and anxiety sufferer for 40 years I have had to avoid pot since I was about 20 (I'm 60 now).

My first few goes with pot were fabulous, non stop laughter for hours, enormous fun, shared great times with pals, but after the first few tries that quickly changed and anxiety and paranoia took over.

At times I've tried a quick hit again through the years to see if now it would be ok, but it's caused the same horribly anxious feelings. I so hoped it might be ok again, but it never has.

I'm not certain that pot wasn't the thing that originally started my anxiety and depression as I never suffered it before I had pot. It was as though I crossed a bridge to a place where I could never get back. I first experienced profound anxiety on pot, and it broke the seal.

I also recall my 30 years of cigarette smoking, and the first cigarette of the day making me suddenly feel incredibly down. I've been off tobacco for 10 years now, and I can honestly say that with nicotine gum and a bit of willpower kicking it was a breeze. I wish I'd done it years before.

I probably sound like one of those annoying pious ex-smokers, but I don't mean to, and am happy for people who suffer no side-effects. Some of us can't though.

We may think these things help us, but equally it could be that our body demands the drugs so fiercely that satisfying the craving seems like it's actually beneficial, calming and self-medicating. I doubt it is, and once your body is free of those drugs you should find the freedom from addiction very enjoyable, and your anxiety should reduce significantly.

Few people can smoke pot for years without it coming back to bite them in the behind. I'm also a recovering alcoholic, and know how successfully these substances can fool you into ensuring they are kept in your life. Booze, cigs and pot all assure us very convincingly that we will benefit from them, but they are lying.

[Sunflowersav]

Thank you everybody for your input:)!