Did You Know Cannabis Makes Your Anxiety Worse?

Did You Know Cannabis Makes Your Anxiety Worse?

[DannyDontDoThat]

Quitting weed was the single greatest decision I made to benefit my mental health. It 100% made my anxiety and depression so much worse. Without it I’m clearheaded, focused, and more self-possessed than ever before.

[Shizbam]

I was a huge stoner from the age of 17-26. At the age of 26 I quit for 3 months so I could pass a drug test for a new job. I could not wait to pass the test and smoke again. When I ended up smoking again after 3 months I had a huge panic attack, and it has never been the same since! I now get anxiety when I smoke it.

[ztrigga]

I think this goes more for frequent users. I only use it when I’m on vacation. I think it’s very relaxing still.

[SnowyAspenHills]

Huge number of people with mental issues who kill people test positive for cannabis.
Fortunately for me my first couple of experiences using it made me sick and I didn’t pursue it. Smoked ciggies for years but have finally managed to give that drug up.

[taw]

Ironically, I use it for exactly that lol. Or rather, for my nerve pain to prevent a worse anxiety attack, which could trigger my chronic migraines... which could lead to me losing consciousness.

And my family member actually got a medical subscription for the same purpose, to prevent the nerve pain from triggering severe full body panic attacks. Like.... Not breathing ones.

CBD isn't always strong enough to help me and my family function, and medicine is hit or miss with our systems. We usually have to take strong doses, and I don't like being seen as a pill popper only for it to not work as well the more I take it.

And I didn't realize it wasn't normal to burn and itch enough to constantly scratch holes into your skin, because every hair of your body feels like an individual fire ant bite.

Oh, and I'm autistic, with diagnosed chronic anxiety.
I have my support system, non medical systems of self grounding, and times/pacing that I use different medicines, set up for the fact that, yes, Dr. Gill is completely right about cannabis treating anxiety alone.

But a literal medicine, not weed, but pills for anxiety... made it worse. Like... miracle I'm here(;)... Worse.

And my nerve pain will trigger a worse anxiety attack than cannabis ever has.

I say that to say that if I live in a world where certain people think it would be okay to be electrocuting my brain because of how it works, or locking me up "until I'm cured", or deciding that because I'm autistic I can never truly be an adult (and they do)....

and not listening to me saying a medication isn't working; because I'm apparently the wrong age, or sex, or community, or skin color to understand my own body...

Then I will accept this truth, yes. He's right. It's a huge side effect of using this. I plan and have specific routines because he is right.

But I will also pay attention to my body, and stick with what works for me as an individual to function, considering the medical system anywhere is still not equipped to meet me at my desired quality of life.

I would rather partake for fun, as a leisure, to be honest.

Not to accommodate an unhealthy and unhelpful medical system that lets down many folks with autoimmune issues like mine, especially those who aren't a certain shade.

I'm not saying that Dr. Gill is the problem, by the way.

I'm saying this anecdotal as an autistic observer of color of the female sex, from a demographic that is barely listened to medically.


And I say this listening to someone who could empathize in certain ways, know more than me in certain ways, and still disagree but possibly not have the whole picture, because it is not his experience (which is fine) : a white, cisgender, male autistic, doctor, with a fantastic support system, access, and understanding of self. Who is genuinely good and kind.

And who had to literally learn an accommodation I will never be able to understand while autistic, because I'm not colorblind: literally seeing the entire world in different colors from me.

[thefallenrobin]

Informative video. This was really helpful.

[avocadotoast]

Dr. Gill, isn't it a stimulant? I've tried it thinking it will have a relaxing effect but it made my pulse rate increase.

[sitedrm]

Cannabis has absolutely no anti-anxiety effect for me! Makes me feel quite bizarre

[therealdrtydan]

What are the withdrawal symptoms of cannabis?

[Bergventures]

Doctor Gill I mean this with all of the respect to your expertise and years of study, but it may be time for some continuing education on the recent bodies of evidence regarding cannabis and it’s medicinal properties for various things. Like any other intoxicating substance it does carry the capacity to be harmful, especially the stuff that you find on the street. Unfortunately, because of the UK’s laws, that’s pretty much all that’s available to your average person. In the US (where I’m from) it is medically (and in some places recreationally) legal and has huge medical advantages for some.
The stigma against cannabis is huuuuge in the UK, but that doesn’t necessarily line up with current evidence. Cannabis is a promising treatment for people suffering with various conditions, and as the NHS deteriorates and medical care becomes increasingly inaccessible and the world goes to shit, I think some self-medicating is to be expected. And marijuana is significantly less harmful than things like alcohol or opiates.

[cleocatra]

Why yes I did that’s why I’m not a pot user. It made me feel even worse the few times I tried it, or from second hand smoke.

[charlief]

I smoke every day and I get anxiety when I want to smoke but at the same time when I was taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety medication for 5 years I also would get anxious when I forgot to take my pills so either way you’re kinda fucked imo

[powderandpaint]

BUT CBD can help anxiety, particularly high strength CBD with a minimal amountbof thc. Not all cannabis is the same and cannabis products can be used for different conditions depending on the levels of cbd and thc they have.

[TheMrVile]

Don't think THC has withdrawal effects.

[kinggylz]

I’m concerned that this is a bit too generic. This is true of cannabis sourced from the Black Market.

The neuropharmacologal effects in humans will depend greatly upon the Cannabinoid and terpenoid profile of the plant (assuming whole flower use). This is called the Entourage Effect. By example, CBD appears to act as a negative allosteric modulator.

The illicit cannabis market is concerning (as is much of the legal recreational) market too as they go so heavy on THC heavily cultivars.

What is really needed are medically differentiated cannabis products which are substantiated, have a clear clinical pathway (tox, safety, etc) and regulatory approval.

This all starts with educating HCPs and patients and consumers.

[Φυλήεπτνυπν]

lol smoking up right as I got the notification