Marijuana in treating anxiety disorders?

Factual Questions
1

This a lay hypothesis based on a weak, simplistic understanding of the human brain, but I shall propose it anyway, because thinking about it is absolutely driving me nuts.

The brain has a certain range of normal function, and resists drastic change to this. If there’s significantly less stimulation from a certain neurotransmitter for a period, for example, the brain may upregulate the number of receptors for the substance in order to achieve it’s “normal” level of stimulation. With the use of certain antidepressants, intended to increase stimulation from certain neurotransmitters, we see the opposite response; more stimulation, brain resists it, serotonin/norepinephrine/whatever receptors are down-regulated (usually not to the point of the original depression, though, obviously). Hence, certain seratonin-related drugs like LSD tend to be observably less efficacious a few weeks into antidepressant therapy.

Now, take a drug like marijuana. It’s a partial dopamine antagonist and a CB1 agonist. Dopamine, which plays a big role in the brain’s “reward” system and reinforces “favorable” and addictive behavior, is partially blocked-out by the pot, working counter how many “hard” drugs work; coke and crack, for example, cause explosive dopamine rushes, making the user feel great about pretty much everything and anxious to re-administer the drug. Taken on its own, this effect isn’t really of much interest to the recreational pot-smoker. I’ve seen many a toker, even myself on occasion, run for a cigarette immediately after a cypher to counter the “fuzziness” of the “head high” or suppress “the munchies” (conceiveably effects of low dopamine?) while leaving the “body high” (cannabinoid agonism?) intact. However, taken with all the other effects of marijuana, the resultant high is generally considered quite enjoyable.

When treating depression, there’s an obvious danger in dropping already deficient neurotransmitters to an even lower point in an effort to upregulate receptors and increase stimulation in the long run. I can’t imagine any doctor would feel comfortable telling a patient seeking treatment for major depression that the drugs they are taking will make them feel even worse for a few weeks while their body adapts, and that their mood is probably going to take at least a minor hit every time they take more. But consider psychological dysfunction that’s tied to low dopamine–certain anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and related conditions, and probably a whole bunch more I haven’t read up on. Here we have a drug that generally produces a positive change in mood for most users, has no appreciably toxicity, and, if administered regularly, could cause an upregulation of dopamine receptors due to its antagonistic properties, potentially relieving schizophrenic/anxiety/whatever symptoms. Patients could smoke it in their free time or before going to bed and consequently see a lessening of their symptoms while sober without an appreciable worsening of their symptoms during the drug therapy. Perhaps the “laziness” generally associated with pot smokers even while sober could be at least somewhat explained by an increased sense of self-worth and accomplishment from performing simple, everyday tasks that most people don’t recieve much of a dopamine boost from doing.

Alright, so that’s a stretch, but I think it’s pretty apparent I’m coming from a somewhat biased point of view, here–sorry, guys.:slight_smile:

Anyway, this is largely wishful thinking, but I can’t think of anything blatantly wrong with the hypothesis besides the very simplistic model of brain function it’s based on. Anyone wanna help me out? Any personal experience that supports/refutes this? Any medical theory to share?

2

Pot makes me paranoid. When ever I smoked it, I thought people were looking at me and knew I was stoned. My anxiety would become worse. Pot was an unpleasant high for me. The best thing I have found for anxiety is exercise.

3

There is one major problem, which is what BeatenMan describes: paranoia (i.e., kind of the opposite of what you’re looking for).

BUT … the paranoia vs. calmness reactions seem to be related to what particular variety of pot you’re using.

In Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan mentions that it appears that the more negative effects of pot-smoking (paranoia, etc.) seem to be associated with cannabis indica, whereas the “smoother” pot (with fewer negative side-effects) is cannabis sativa.

Now, the problem is that sativa can’t grow easily in the U.S. & other northern climes, while indica can. Over the decades, sativa and indica have been crossed many, many times, and the level of good stuff vs. bad stuff that you get now is hard to determine.

But, if you could be very sure of your supply, and that it was not crossed with indica, and didn’t seem to make you paranoid … then it might work.

But, the problem may also lie in individual brains. As I understand it, part of marijuana’s effect is to eliminate short-term memory. This can generate that “time slowing down” sensation, and the inability to maintain complicated anxieties and worries in the face of that continual interruption often results in people becoming more mellow and less nervous. But not all people may react that way to this effect, or perhaps mj that has stronger doses of that memory-canceling component are what increase disorientation and paranoia in some users. A friend of mine, for instance, once took a few hits and become so disoriented that he was effectively blacking out (still on his feet … just having little bouts of amnesia). You can imagine how troubling this would be if you kept suddenly discovering that you were in the middle of a room with costumed people (Halloween party) lurching around to loud music and flashing strobe lights … and couldn’t remember how you got there.

In short, nice idea, might be problematic. And it’s worth noting that many, many people with anxiety disorders already likely self-medicate with pot, not realizing they should get professional help and some SSRIs.

4

Okay so I’m no expert on neurotransmitte5rs but are you saying that, if I have a nasty case of depression caused by defective production of dopamine, I could smoke a little weed and it could help until my SSRI kicks in?

So what does marijuana do to the production or serotonin if anything?

5

Pot amplifies reality (wow, we’re so insignificant and the universe is so vast) and strips away the buffers that allow you to focus…not necessarily a good thing for the anxious. If pot makes you happy, chances are you’re not anxious to begin with.

6

It sure doesn’t help when you have to worry about draconian laws while high either. The idea that some yahoo cop could bust you and thus ruin a good chunk of your life for nothing more than the possession of a simple plant is enough to make you paranoid even when you aren’t high.

7

It sure doesn’t help when you have to worry about draconian laws while high either. The idea that some yahoo cop could bust you and thus ruin a good chunk of your life for nothing more than the possession of a simple plant is enough to make you paranoid even when you aren’t high.

8

You know, that’s very interesting. I experimented with drugs in highschool, and never understood why anyone enjoyed pot. It just left me feeling paranoid and out of sorts. The last time I smoked it, however, I felt very calm and mellow. It was very enjoyable. I always wondered why that last time was so vastly different. (It wasn’t a planned “last time”, so I didn’t suspect that had an impact on my reaction.)

9

I just wanted to mention an experience of mine.

Six years ago I finally sought help for my depression that had been going on for years. I went to the local Mental Health center for treatment. It was the worst treatment I ever got. Basically I’d wait around all day to see a doctor. When I did see him he told me because I smoked pot I was depressed. He said he couldn’t help me until I quit smoking pot.

I said bullshit and went to my regular doctor. I told him what they had told me. He basically said it was bullshit too. He said maybe I’m depressed for different reasons and seek therapy with pot. He said pot was more likely a symptom of my depression and not the reason for it. I never went back to the Mental Health center again.

10

As one who has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder (and a pot smoker), I believe there are many facets to this query.

The first is the information already put forward by toadspittle. The indica strain has a more sedating effect but includes a paranoia side effect. Sativa would be the preferred strain because it does not have said effect. But, as toadspittle mentioned, most pot sold in the US is a mixed strain and, considering legal issues, it’s quite rare to actually know what strain you are buying from the strung out junkie on the corner.

Besides the paranoia, both strains of pot will produce faster heart palpitations – which, to an anxiety sufferer, can be cause for alarm.

However, it is quite natural for those with anxiety disorder (particularly a more extreme case of the social form of the disorder called Avoidant Personality Disorder) to turn to drugs such as pot. In fact, when I first went to get a diagnosis for my anxiety, I told the psychologist and psychiatrist that I smoked pot and they both asked if it were for self-medicating purposes.

In my case, I smoke because it takes me away from reality and it relieves some symptoms of my anxiety – of particular note, it allows me a relax a bit more and relieves my insomnia.

Finally, it’s interesting to note that during a period when I went off of my prescribed anxiety medication, my desire/yearning to smoke rose. This could be purely for the symptom relief, or perhaps it could be to make up for the chemical imbalance caused by the lack of the medication. The cause is unknown.

Marijuana certainly contains medicinal qualities, despite whether or not those qualities help treat anxiety/schizophrenia/etc.

11

There was a study not too long ago associating marijuana with depression. It was not, however, clear whether the pot actually caused depression or the depression caused the pot use. I suppose the interpretation is up to the doctor.

When I went to a doctor to inquire about my depression, she asked me if I used any drugs. I told her I smoked pot almost every day. Her response? “Oh, don’t worry! The anti-depressants I’m prescribing you won’t conflict with your marijuana, and the combination won’t make you more sedated.” Wow. I like my doctor. :slight_smile:

Are you sure about that? From what I’ve read, the reasons for indica’s popularity are its effects (indica is supposed to be a lounging-on-the-couch stoned, while sativa is a light and breezy high) and the fact that indica tends to be shorter and bushier, thus more suited to indoor growing. Plus, indica is more potent. The last I read, they had indicas that were up to 28% THC, while the most potent sativa was only 13%.

12

Wonderful book outlinging everything you could possibly want to know about the way certain botanicals affect our desires. The efficacy of marijuana on certain ailments is - unfortunately - individualistic. I am a teacher, I do not advocate the smoking of any substance for obvious reason, carcinogenic or recreationalistic. This being said I smoked my fair share of marijuana in college and a bit after. It helped me concentrate, to think with more of an open mind, to relax when I needed to , to enjoy life with a hightened awareness. And yes on occasion I will partake of the pipe-weed with a friend. Usually with a certain friend before we go hiking. We usually have a nice philosophical talk. Efficacy 100% for me.
Apparently Carl Sagan Agreed with me.

cite .

There are several articles about the late great Mr.Sagan and his marijuana useage. I’m looking for one called high on the theories of the universe. I have it in a hard copy here somewhere… I can’t find it on google.

But the efficacy of pot is encyclopedic, eons of knowledge exist no the subject, however, in my own simplest terms I’d deem it an individualistic cure-all. Not for everyone.

13

Likely for both reasons. (Pollan also mentioned how the war on drugs has basically produced a revolution in mj botany, with Americans leading the entire field with indoor-growing techniques). Obviously, higher THC yield is important in these commodity-driven drug days of ours, and the size and yield per plant certainly plays a role.

But indica also has a shorter growing season (i.e., suited to a cooler climate) than sativa. Naturally, this is also another plus for indoor growers looking for a high turnaround rate:

http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/1424.html

All in all, a fascinating field for economics, botany, and neurochemistry.

14

Ummm Depends on where you are at in North America. I grew up in Florida and there grows some mighty fine stuff.