Medical Marijuana and Mental Health. Pros and Cons

[postatomic]

Decent compilation of the pros and cons on this issue. From the diversity of positions it's apparent that the 'Jury is still out' on this issue:

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000226

[Tobin S.]

1. It's not a one size fits all kind of issue

I know marijuana can cause distress in people who have a mental illness because I've smoked it when I was suffering from the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It made matters worse for me. But I also believe people who say they've experienced relief from depression from smoking marijuana.

I would think that, generally speaking, it would not be wise to consume marijuana if you suffer from a mental illness that causes psychosis. However, I see how it might work well for someone with depression and anxiety issues. It's possible that it won't, too.

[postatomic]

2. The same can be said for many psych meds

Meds can actually make things worst. I've certainly had some drugs thrown at me that did just that. There is also the issue of how Marijuana interacts with other psych meds.

Being a psycho-active drug Marijuana definitely isn't for everyone. I can tell you that my old psych med doc, a pretty sharp dewd, was the one who recommended that I try it for anxiety.

The line is crossed when people use Marijuana like Alcohol or other Drugs just to get "high". To escape from reality. I only use it in the evening when I'm home for the day and when my anxiety levels have peaked. It brings me down immediately. I'm thankful for that. I don't use so much that I can't function. Plus it's organic with no apparent addiction side effects (I've gone a few weeks without using and haven't 'craved' it) I can't say that about Xanax which I only take to counter the withdrawal side effects.

[HereSince1628]

3. FYI Results of a Survey of Psychiatrists on MJ are published in Psychiatric Times

Psychiatric Times requires you to open an account... but

News | July 11, 2013 | Substance Use Disorder, PTSD, Psychopharmacology
By Susan Kweskin

The Dope on Medical Cannabis: Results of a Survey of Psychiatrists


If our survey on medical cannabis is any indication, psychiatrists are widely—and deeply—divided on whether and how marijuana should be used in clinical practice. Feelings are running, well . . . high, about whether, when, or in what circumstances this drug might be prescribed for patients with psychiatric disorders.


We invited psychiatrists to complete a survey about medicinal marijuana and didn’t expect nearly 2200 people to complete that survey in a just a few days. We heard from 1138 psychiatrists, 930 of whom practice in the US. We also heard from 109 psychologists, 163 nurse practitioners, and 22 physician assistants. About 30% of the respondents were 51 - 60 years old; 20% were 41 - 50; and 22% were 61 - 71. The minority (40%) live in a state where medical cannabis is legal.

- See more at: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/substance-use-disorder/dope-medical-cannabis-results-survey-psychiatrists/page/0/1?GUID=CBA4F64C-561D-4B53-A576-506E8F3435F7&rememberme=1&ts=18072013#sthash.pisvSm6B.dpuf

[fizzgig]

4. interesting read, thank you

pot helped control my anxiety for years. when i first started seeing my doc, i told him i was smoking as a form of self-medication. he looked at me and, without batting an eye, said he hoped we could get me to a point where it was purely recreational.