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Lothloriengaladriel's avatar

Marijuana and panic disorder?

Asked by Lothloriengaladriel (1555points) May 7th, 2009 from iPhone

Do you think it’s a bad idea to smoke if you have panic disorder?

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11 Answers

knitfroggy's avatar

Seems to me it would mellow a person out that was prone to panic attacks. Then again, it makes me personally kind of paranoid, so probably not a good idea.

Likeradar's avatar

Yeah, maybe. It makes awkward situations seem even more awkward and uncomfortable, at least for me.

Lothloriengaladriel's avatar

My boyfriend is saying it has to do with the surroundings, I’m with him, in his house, so I should be fine..but last time I attempted to smoke I was also with him and I freaked out pretty bad but i was making myself freak out because I kept thinking I would panic, I just want to give another try but I just don’t want to freak out again

nikipedia's avatar

Conclusions: Structured interview data suggest lifetime cannabis dependence is significantly associated with an increased risk of panic attacks.

from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8T-4HGD7HP-1&_user=4422&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000059600&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4422&md5=6a98f124f15f1f0e6ead3f181e300053

Summary: Acute cannabis use can be associated with the onset of panic attacks and panic disorder, and panic disorder which develops after cannabis use is responsive to pharmacotherapy.
from: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/106600870/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

The most common physical or mental health problems, experienced by 22% of users were acute anxiety or panic attacks following cannabis use.
from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T63-3W2V5WP-7&_user=4422&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000059600&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4422&md5=52b403ad548ea3e3d1c829c829fd1550

Judi's avatar

I think it GAVE me a panic disorder!
Edit: I didn’t read @nikipedia response first, but I guess I just validated it.

Triiiple's avatar

See so everyone gets a panic feeling through weed, so its not just you. A lot of people get anxious and paranoia but thats it.

You only freak out because your stressing it so much rather then just enjoying and relaxing witht he feeling.

aviona's avatar

It really depends on your body chemistry. It could totally mellow you out. Or it could aggravate your already existing condition. Like @Judi some people do get panicky/paranoid when they smoke weed even when they don’t have a preexisting condition. And in my personal experience of talking with people, this tends to be more common with women.

exitnirvana's avatar

@aviona that’s totally the case, and it can even fluctuate from usage to usage. Paranoia can increase, or just arise for no apparent reason, however some people (and even the same person at a different time) have a more mellowed out and relaxed reaction. I think it totally depends on both the person and the circumstances. I suggest that if you do already have a diagnosed condition and you choose to smoke,try to be around people you trust, just in case, or avoid the situation all together because if something does happen its not something you can rush to the Doctor for…

The_Compassionate_Heretic's avatar

Considering that paranoia is a common side effect of marijuana I wouldn’t smoke if I had a panic disorder.

Lothloriengaladriel's avatar

So we tried, it wasn’t bad, I took it easy because I didn’t know how I’d react if I did too much but I think I’ll do it in moderation and go increasing how much I use each time..

The_Compassionate_Heretic's avatar

@Lothloriengaladriel You don’t have to if you don’t want to either. “No” is always an option.

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