Marijuana and anxiety/paranoia

[qwerty297]

Hi I used to smoke marijuana a lot and I used to feel completely fine. I smoked regularly for 3 years, I wouldn't say I was a "pothead" but I did it a lot socially. However; about a year ago, there was a time period where my smoking experiences started getting progressively worse and then REALLY bad...a complete 180. I remember it sort of started with me thinking strange thoughts when I was high...it wasn't that bad but then it started to get worse. Eventually every time i smoked I became really socially awkward, getting really paranoid, having anxiety, etc. It wasn't just a one time thing it happened EVERY time i smoked after that. It just didnt affect me the same at all. It's hard to explain it because a lot of people just tell me oh everyone bugs out sometimes when they're high, however, i know what it feels like to bug out and it's just not the same thign at all, basically when i smoked I really felt physically different. Now I should mention that at around the same time this started happening I started taking Vyvanse (It's like adderall (adderrall) except much stronger) but I would even stop the vyvanse for a week and smoke after to see if thats what it was and I still felt the same. I stopped taking vyvanse and switched to adderall (adderrall) but I still feel the same. But im just not sure if it's the medication because before both the adderall (adderrall) and vyvanse I was on and off pills such as stratera (Strattera), wellbutrin, and I was even on and off adderall (adderrall) also. I never had these problems. Is there anything I could do...has anyone else experienced feelings of social awkwardness, paranoia, anxiety randomly then regularly after years of smoking? I'm  going to stop the adderall (adderrall) and then smoke after and see if it's that but what can I do if it's not the medication at all, does anyone have the answer to why this occurs?

[marymagdeline]

I have had the same thing happen and I have met others who have too.  I'm 47.  Me and my friends started smoking pot in our teens.  Many of us say that we can no longer smoke pot because it makes us paranoid now.  For the first couple of years I smoked pot, it did not make me paranoid.  It made me feel good.  Then I could not smoke it without getting paranoid.  EVER.  My twin brother smoked more than me.  He also smoked until he was 30 years old (he also started in his teens).  He never got paranoid.  In fact, when he wasn't high, he was angry and aggressive.  When he was high, he was great to be around.  Anyway, one day I went to see a psychopharacologist.  I told him what I told you.  I asked him why pot made me paranoid and it made my twin bother feel "normal."  He said the we all have a chemical in our brain called 'dopamine.'  I must have had enough dopamin, because too much makes a person paranoid.  And pot increases your dopamin.  On the other hand, my brother didn't have enough, so when he smoked pot, it rasied it to the point where he needed it to feel "normal."  Any questions???  

[marymagdeline]

You asked..."Is there anything I could do?"  Yes, stop smoking pot!  If your not a pot head, and you say your not, this should not be a problem. If you need to be on a medication for a brain chemical imbalance, you really shoudn't be smoking pot...don't ya think?

[silverberg]

they both said "they USE to smoke pot"! not no more

[silverberg]

oops , the above was for qwerty297, you said you USE to smoke pot, my question are you still smoking?? you really never say? really can't help without that answer?

[trying2helpU]

I have a friend who has been smoking since he was 18 (he's 28 now I think).  He never had a problem with weed til recently.  Now if he smokes by himself, he gets paranoid.  When I'm there and we're smoking together, everything is fine.  And it's not like he hasn't smoked alone before - when I was on painkillers, I pretty much stopped smoking weed, so he smoked a lot by himself during that time.  We both have no idea what causes it.
But when I was a pothead, I remember getting paranoid sometimes if I smoked when I was REALLY REALLY REALLY stressed out.

I know both of these situations I mention are different from yours, but may be the info will help you solve your problem.

[BhamJoel]

This happened to me a few years ago.  I am now 39.  I came to discover three things: (1) brain chemistry changes with age, and (2) I had slowly developed an underlying depressive disorder, as well as hypothyroidism, and (3) what's going on in your life can have at least as much impact on mental health as chemical imbalances.

After only a few months of being on meds suitable for me (Celexa 20mg, Wellbutrin XL 150mg, Armour Thyroid 120mg), anxiety after smoking pot only depends on which type of Cannabis I smoke.  Indica highs typically produce relaxation and sedation, while Sativa is energizing.  Thus, Sativa often times will cause anxiety and even panic attacks at high doses.  So I now avoid Sativa.

Also, the prescription stimulants you are taking are of great concern.  They are harder on the body than pot, have more undesirable side effects, are physically addictive, and deplete dopamine in the brain.  Many people experience depression upon discontinuation of prescription stimulants, even after only a few weeks of use.  If you are starting and stopping them, you will create a chemical roller-coaster in your brain.  One person here suggested you quit pot.  I suggest you quit whichever substance is giving you the least benefit versus the risks and costs to your health.  Only you can decide which one that is.  

I also highly suggest you get screened for depression, which can "sneak up" on a person over a period of months or years, and is often accompanied by anxiety.  Also, have a very complete, thorough physical exam to rule out other conditions such as hypothyroidism, etc, which can cause adverse changes in brain chemistry.

Further, I urge you to look at the probable difference in your life circumstances (teen vs adult).  When you smoked as a teen, you probably had less responsibility (spelled: pressure/stress) in your life.  As teens, none of us had experienced as much grief, loss, etc as we have to this point.  But as an adult, if you're like most of us, you now have stressors than can make anyone a little (or a lot) anxious, and you've probably gone through a lot more grief, loss, etc.  This difference in life experience as a teen vs an adult has implications and repercussions that even psychologists don't fully understand.  Along these lines, perhaps some counseling, a new hobby or more exercise could be of help.

Best to you!

[Meggerz1533]

I totally agree with BhamJoel about the stressors.  I've been a regular smoker for 10 years now.  When I was younger, I wasn't as stressed out, and pot was the first thing I really tried.  Made me feel great for years.  However, there was a period of time during college where I experimented and used almost every other drug you could name.  I pretty much quit all of that stuff 2 years ago, and just smoke.  But man, I have been paranoid for the past 5 years.  I would start having anxiety attacks and almost pass out in public places.  I always thought the cops were somehow going to break in and arrest me... weird thoughts like that.  I'm sure a lot of it has to do with all of the other drugs I did, but I still get paranoid when I smoke.  

A few months ago, I went to a doctor and was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks.  He put me on Paxil and Xanax.  (Paxil bc I have OCD  as well) I pretty much stopped smoking, just because every time I did, I got completely stoned out of my mind and wanted to go to sleep.  A few days ago, I think the meds started not working as well, because I smoked and got paranoid as all hell and almost had a panic attack.  I'm working on quitting pot because I'm tired of the anxiety.  I mean, I already have anxiety, and obviously smoking pot is making it worse. Some people just get paranoid over time, and maybe that's your indication that it's time to quit.    

[needinfo919]

Hey qwerty while reading ur post i was mentaly ticking off the things that have happened to u and what is happening to me. I have smoked weed since i started high school and always felt fine. I smoke probably 5 times a week now, sometimes doing it up to 3 or more times a day ( its only lately that ive started to do it so often but ive always done it regularly). Now smoking is getting worse and worse for some reason and like u said im now thinking of weird things when im high. My mouth also gets really dry now and i need to constantly be drinking water or else i cant move my mouth. I also know what greening out or buging out feels like and this isnt it. It feels like there is something wrong all the time even when i know that everything is perfectly fine. I try and convince myself that ive been high 1001 times and nothing bad will happen but i cant stop thinking about it. And qwerty i dont think its ur medication because i have never taken anything nor done any drug except for weed in my life but i feel the same negative effects as u. I was just wondering if anyone knows why this is happening and if i can fix it an get back to having fun when im high. Thanks a lot!

[JohnA422]

Im 25 years old and male, I found that marijuana was more relaxing and tranquilizing when i was in my teens. After about age 22, partaking of marijuana seems to have gradually caused more and more paranoia and severe anxiety... sometimes even inducing mild panic attacks now that im 25. I really dont care for it much anymore but sometimes I still smoke a little just out of sheer boredom. I think, seeing as many people report the same troubles, that there are changes that take place in our brains as we go through our 20s that leads to general changes in how our brain responds to Marijuana. Once this year, before I quit smoking cigarettes, I had smoked some herb around the same time I took a full dose of the tylenol cold nighttime syrup... Then I got a nice 45 minutes of not-so-great heart arrythmia... that had a matching twitching in my left leg. It went away as I fell asleep but I HATED it. Scared me.

[Dennicus]

Marijuana has THC... and it can trigger a invisible illusion thinking that it's their but made up in your mind. Your mind can do a lot of things. You just have to control your body. If you can't breathe then take a big deep breathe. Then you're alive if you felt a breather in your lungs. If you cant breathe you would pass out instantly. Do what makes your mind happy. Like hanging out with friends, watch a movie, go fishing, camping and try not to focus the positive but only the negative. Your brain is in a reverse limbo. That's why your having panic attacks. If your like on acid, tell yourself, "It's the marijuana messing with my mind with these great ideas I have in our next adventure". Whenever you smoke it's an different experience for everyone. Just accept what it is then think about what it will do to ya. Cause you know it'll get you high, so why question it? ENJOY IT!

[Jimmy1975]

I have a good story for ya ! I haven't smoked pot since 1977 as a teen . And yes I started early and stopped early in life . I used to love the high also . In 77 I went with a girlfriend to a cabin up in the woods in California . She smoked and I hadn't in about three years because of a bad experience with another drug .I had been drug free . Girlfriend said I would be fine so I tried some and guess what ? I ended up laying in her lap for about an hour or more . Learn my lesson ? Fast forward to 2009 . One week ago I tried it for the first time in 32 years and the same thing happened again after the third toke ! I agree with all that say your chemistry can change with out notice ! I think I will just be happy with one or two 7&7s and forget drugs as they really do seem to screw you up to a point where recovery can be hellish to say the least !  Peace Jimmy

[Dennicus]

Some people can handle it and some can't. I'm 22 and I don't have those problems. I don't expect bad/weird stuff to happen. People stress over stuff that think it's important and should focus on unserious solutions. People should move on than think about their bad past and listening to people they say it's bad. That's how paranoia/panic attacks happens. It's like, I called the Cops on you carrying 65 pounds of cocaine. And you start being paranoid and having panic attacks of a lie you thought was true. It's not, cause your innocent, but someone just want to use you to scare you and others. Then it all becomes one big **** paranoia/panic attack drama!

[j122]

just like most of you ive smoked since i was about 13 and im 22 now. i used to love it, but lately i feel like im havin a heart attack or stroke parts of my body go numb and all i can think about is dying which makes it worse .. it sounds like anxiety but sometimes it scares the **** outta me .. it doesnt happen when im sober though

[Naruto55]

im in the same boat as all you ppl, smoked pot for 3 years straight, and i loved it, some of my best times involved me being high..but then it came to a point where i just started to freak out, and i agree it has to do with certain stress in your life..a few months ago every time i would smoke i would start thinking about all the bad things in my life, like how my mom is sick, how i never have money cause all do is pay bills and spend the rest on pot, and eventually these thoughts and stuff catch up with you.and then it came to the point where i was feeling all these things when i wasnt high.and it still took me a few months to finally stop..i was still smoking everyday knowing i would freak out. my dad has anxiety problems and i guess its just in my genes..i personally think i had anxiety and the weed just triggered it, with all the paranoid thoughts..and more power to all the ppl who can smoke and have no problems..i love weed alot, but i just cant do it anymore

[thedududocter]

Yea it can, I too am prescribed to adderall (adderrall) and smoke pot. I don't take my adderall (adderrall) anymore but yea whatever. It can, only because adderall (adderrall) is a stimulant that increases flight and flight reactions and concentration like a minor panic attack would, so to speak. That mixed with marijuana it can change your neuropath ways into thinking more anxious thoughts because you feel the anxiousness on the adderall (adderrall) and while on pot your pathways are more open and your volunerable to thinking more and faster than your normally do because your brain isn't blocking out that unnessasary information, which could be thoughts that make you paranoid and anxious. I would love to explain deeper if you would like to message me because I kinda understand what's going on with this cause I too took adderall (adderrall) and I just started smoking pot again, I quit due to a panic attack that just happened out of no where and it freaked my out, which left me with a panic disorder for a whole year. lol Kinda ****** up right? But yea, those too may definatly combine and **** with you. I know what your saying though, it's not as great without it, but with it there's gonna be some **** your gonna have to deal with. There's a way to teach yourself to not think like that and the reason why you think like that is because you kinda wired yourself to kinda subconciously. It's hard to explain in short.
But I really wish you luck cause anxiety ***** and I finally got back to enjoying marijuana again! Yay isn't that great?!?!

P.S. The people that answered your question before me are chumps haha.
Source(s):
Years of research on marijuana. Year of indefinate panic attacks. I used to take adderall (adderrall).

[hmf099]

If you know smoking causes you these feelings why r u gonna "try again"?!? I'm an alcoholic in recovery and u say u stop your meds to smoke but ur NOT a pot head... When I stopped my xanax to drink I WAS an an alcoholic.I don't believe weed causes physical addiction but it can cause emotional addiction. When I smoke pot I have huge panic attacks, so I don't smoke. I think you should look at the bigger picture here, good luck to you.if you do find you have a problem with pot the addiction forum on this site is great as well.