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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ariasar on June 9, 2003, at 13:22:27
does anyone know if there are side effects to smoking marijuana whether on lexapro. Are there and what are they?
Posted by kalyb on June 9, 2003, at 16:06:56
In reply to marijuana and lexapro, posted by ariasar on June 9, 2003, at 13:22:27
> does anyone know if there are side effects to smoking marijuana whether on lexapro. Are there and what are they?
I've never taken Lexapro and don't know much about what it's prescribed for, but long long ago I once smoked marijuana while taking Prozac. I found it greatly increased my anxiety and I ended up feeling agitated and intensely paranoid for a few hours. But then, I suffer from anxiety anyway, and the Prozac wasn't doing much to help that.
At the risk of sounding like an old fart, my dope smoking days are long behind me now; I feel I wouldn't want to mess with my brain by smoking while I'm on meds. My head is already messy enough without additional help!! :)
Kalyb xx
Posted by paxvox on June 9, 2003, at 18:56:38
In reply to marijuana and lexapro, posted by ariasar on June 9, 2003, at 13:22:27
I would have to tell you that pot doesn't help you deal with ANY deperessive illness, it is only a way of escaping issues as opposed to dealing with them. I know that is not the question you asked, nor the answer you wanted to hear. However, I do not make this statement out of blind ignorance, but after years of first-hand experience. Pot is a mood enhancer, which can be a good or bad thing depending on one's mood. However, I DO know that is creates a sense of apathy that is not a very fertile place for a mind to rest. I have made these statements before, and am sure I will read many counter-points. But these things aside, pot is not healthy for you to smoke. If you eat it, it is likely to cause more severe hallucinations than you were looking for (but that is the best way to use it, if you must, as far as least damage to your body). Call me crazy, but I think a decade of experience with it AND depressive illness gives me the right to make these statements.
PAX
Posted by Boba Fat on June 9, 2003, at 20:48:10
In reply to Re: marijuana and lexapro, posted by paxvox on June 9, 2003, at 18:56:38
Pot not only makes me paranoid nowadays, it also played a significant role in getting me to the mental state I am in now. I realise some people can have great experiences with pot but my advice would be to leave it well alone, especially if you have anxiety.
Each to their own however!
Posted by Questionmark on June 10, 2003, at 0:36:32
In reply to Re: marijuana and lexapro, posted by paxvox on June 9, 2003, at 18:56:38
i could be wrong, but i really don't think there are any serious side effects from combining Lexapro and cannabis-- depENDING on how you're reacting to the lexapro, that is. If more anxious, weed could really exacerbate this. But if it's helping you, it could make for a nicer high. i smoked a # of times on Paxil and i was actually a good deal less anxious than i normally get when high. But as others said, the more lasting effects of weed can be detrimental to depression, although occasional use might not be that bad-- i dunno.
Posted by pelorojo on June 10, 2003, at 13:45:47
In reply to Re:, posted by Questionmark on June 10, 2003, at 0:36:32
I'm of the opinion that marijuana, as with many other substances, can help some, hurt others, and be non-beneficial/neutral (depending on how you look at it) for the rest.
If you're a regular smoker & depressed, suddenly stopping may not be a good idea. Or maybe it would, if that's the only way you can stop.
I have read some places that marijuana is a serotonin antagonist. Though I have no citations and there is probably information somewhere that contradicts that.
Some think that the cannabinoids in marijuana help the amygdala "forget" things, which could be good if you've had trauma. On the other hand, it's probably a nonselective forgetting, which may not be helpful.
One thing about marijuana that I think is definitely pro-depressive is weight gain. But maybe some don't have that effect or need to gain weight.
As you can see I have multiple views on the issue I have not fully integrated. My hunch is that it may not be harmful but that it's also probably not helpful. So in other words it may be a barrier to you getting better even though it's not the underlying reason you got depressed.
As far as mixing it with an SSRI, who knows. That's the problem - no one really knows. So you've got a fragile mental system (since it's burdened by depression) and you're adding a pharmaceutical. On top of that you're adding another drug of varying quality, strength, and effect. Seems as if the results are far too unpredictable in an already delicate situation to take on too much additional risk.
Posted by heather66 on June 10, 2003, at 18:52:02
In reply to Re:, posted by pelorojo on June 10, 2003, at 13:45:47
What does anybody out there think of marijuana and zoloft? Same answers as above? I'm thinking about eating it.. not smoking it... and hope not to end in disaster.
Posted by Joanie on June 11, 2003, at 12:22:47
In reply to marijuana and lexapro, posted by ariasar on June 9, 2003, at 13:22:27
No side effects that I know of. Unless of course you already get paranoid, have anxiety or whatever from smoking pot alone. But from my experience, mixing the two together doesn't add or take away the effect of either. Hope this helps...
Posted by Questionmark on June 16, 2003, at 7:01:59
In reply to Re:, posted by pelorojo on June 10, 2003, at 13:45:47
Just wanted to say that a couple things you (pelorojo) stated were very smart. Incredibly simple, but incredibly smart.
> "I'm of the opinion that marijuana, as with many other substances, can help some, hurt others, and be non-beneficial/neutral (depending on how you look at it) for the rest."
> "As you can see I have multiple views on the issue I have not fully integrated. My hunch is that it may not be harmful but that it's also probably not helpful. So in other words it may be a barrier to you getting better even though it's not the underlying reason you got depressed."And Heather66:
"What does anybody out there think of marijuana and zoloft? Same answers as above? I'm thinking about eating it.. not smoking it... and hope not to end in disaster."
Yeah, same answers as above.
Careful when eating though-- dose is harder to be precise with and can easily get too much sometimes.
Posted by heather66 on June 17, 2003, at 10:28:43
In reply to Re: » pelorojo, posted by Questionmark on June 16, 2003, at 7:01:59
Posted by Debbie8 on July 28, 2003, at 13:32:36
In reply to Re: » pelorojo, posted by Questionmark on June 16, 2003, at 7:01:59
Marijuana & Lexapro? Well, I searched on the subject and this is the first place I came. I am trying to find answers... I am thinking that maybe weed and Lexapro just make me all the more high. I've had some crazy trips... A tree scooped me up... When I smoke weed now It seems I trip out the hardest and have the most crazy experiences, It's better yet these last few days I feel like a different person and everyone is so weird. The outside world is just weird. Paranoia? Anyways I love weed and Lexapro seems to be helping.
Posted by Ryan_321 on December 26, 2003, at 22:54:46
In reply to marijuana and lexapro, posted by ariasar on June 9, 2003, at 13:22:27
Hi all. Just talk to your psychiatrists! I've taken Lexapro (30 mg/day) for 3 months for dysthymia (mild/chronic depression) and anxiety. It has worked wonders. I smoke marijuana about 3 or 4 times a month. I have spoken with my doctors and they say this is OK. Smoking more often than this, however, would be a problem: marijuana's abiltiy to cause a lack of motivation would not be appropriate for people who are depressed already.
Posted by Mmartie on January 28, 2004, at 20:05:45
In reply to Re: marijuana and lexapro, posted by Ryan_321 on December 26, 2003, at 22:54:46
DON'T SMOKE POT IF YOU'RE ON LEXAPRO!!! Trust me, from experience. I've been on Lexapro for 6 months and recently when I smoke I've been convulsing and slipping in and out of reality.
Posted by ryan_321 on June 20, 2005, at 17:21:27
In reply to Re: marijuana and lexapro, posted by Mmartie on January 28, 2004, at 20:05:45
"Convulsing"? "Slipping in and out of reality"? I work as a researcher studying the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of psychiatric drugs. I don't believe the symptoms you describe are caused by the Lexapro/Marijuana combination. When you choose to use a street drug there is always danger of contamination. Marijuana can be "laced" with any number of other drugs and this could be the cause of your problems. Convulsions should never be taken lightly and medical help should be obtained immediately. Why were you prescribed the Lexapro? Perhaps you have an undiagnosed condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar depression--a manic episode could be triggered in either of these conditions. Furthermore, you must ask yourself: "why do I want to smoke dope?" Users smoke with the INTENTION of experiencing distorted reality.
Always, always speak openly with your pdoc about ALL drugs used; both legal and nonlegal.
--Ryan
> DON'T SMOKE POT IF YOU'RE ON LEXAPRO!!! Trust me, from experience. I've been on Lexapro for 6 months and recently when I smoke I've been convulsing and slipping in and out of reality.
This is the end of the thread.
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