Repetitive thinking

[chillinoutblazebowls]

Hey Everyone:

Has anyone experienced any affects of OCD linked to smoking Marijuana? I feel like, especially in the mornings, I have this tendency of compulsively repeating 2-3 thoughts over and over again in my head until I go bonkers. Im also extremely aware that these thoughts will drive me nuts, but i continue to give them control just about everytime.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[epilepticme]

No offense at all. I would seek the attention of a medical professional if the symptoms are that bothersome/severe.

[mmjnoob]

I'm wondering why you are relating the obsessive thoughts to marijuana use. Are the mornings worse when you smoke the night before or are you smoking first thing that morning? I've just begun my research into medical marijuana so I'm afraid I have no answers in that aspect. I'm interested to hear more about your case though, I've not seen much about OCD and marijuana, if any at all.

From the little I've read, I suggest you make sure you're smoking a strain that isn't going to aggravate the symptom. I'd imagine sativa vs. indica is pretty important difference in this scenario.

If you feel in danger of doing harm; not just going batty, see a psychiatrist.

If you can't find your own way, maybe see a psychologist. I'd recommend one that specifically does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It's a practical way to deal with irrational thinking rather than a lay on the couch...tell me about your childhood approach.

Personally, the most effective thing I've found to combat obsessive thoughts is meditation. It doesn't need to be an elaborate technique, just find one that helps you clear your mind...stop all thoughts for a time. Practice it. Eventually you'll be able to do it instantly. Every time you notice yourself following an unwanted thought...Stop. Clear your mind. Replace the thought. Consciously direct your thoughts in a more productive/positive direction.

Pay attention to these thoughts. Feed them and let them grow. Leave no room for the weeds. Keep feeding the positive thoughts even when there are no symptoms.

Eventually, your mind will be retrained to an extent to abandon those unwanted thoughts immediately. Keep practicing, all gardens take time to grow and a few weeds will always find a way in. Just get to them when they're small.

If you're truly OCD, you'll have a whole new set to practice on in no time! Also keep in mind, obsessive thoughts don't necessarily mean you have a disorder. You may just be needing to face some fears or unresolved anger. You might just need to let some stuff go which no one else can do for you.

Do what you need to do. As long as the thoughts have the power, you are the slave. You're pwnd by the subject of these thoughts right now.

[birdgirl73]

ChillinoutBB, do you have any history with repetitive thoughts and/or OCD? I'm wondering if the connection with cannabis might simply be coincidental, myself.

I've read a good many anecdotal reports here about OCD relief from cannabis and can't find much in my medical databases that causatively connect the two, but if there is a connection, I'm betting it's through THC, which seems to be the compound that gives sensitive people the most trouble with their thought patterns and perception distortions.

The fact that there's not much published information linking cannabis and OCD doesn't mean it couldn't necessarily cause such repetitive thought patterns in some people. We simply don't know how it affects everyone and can't conclude that because one person doesn't report such repetitive thoughts another person might not have them. It's a medicine that has uniquely different effects on different brain chemistries.

Improvement in Refractory Obsessive Compulsive Disorder With Dronabinol -- SCHINDLER et al. 165 (4): 536 -- Am J Psychiatry (http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/165/4/536)
This was an interesting article about the improvement in refractory OCD (meaning repeat, or bounce-back OCD, after first-line treatment with medicines) in response to dronabinol. Dronabinol is the generic drug name for Marinol, the FDA-approved synthetic medicine that contains synthetic THC and is indicated for anti-nausea treatment of chemo cancer and AIDs symptoms, appetite stimulation, etc.

[chillinoutblazebowls]

Yeah iv'e been doing a lot of meditation and practicing on not giving so much power to these thoughts. Any yes, i did have a problem with repetitive thinking before marijuana and when i originally started smoking pot it seemed to alleviate those feelings; then when my tolerance got higher the repetitive thoughts seemed to come back with more force.

Iv'e been focusing a lot on myself as of late and not giving as much thoughts to others; it seems to be helping a great deal. Its all about balance and focusing on mastering the brain instead of having the brain master you.

[birdgirl73]

One of the interesting things about the OCD/repetitive-thinking loop in people's brains is that the more they go through the loop, the more it reinforces that repetitive thinking pattern and the neurochemistry that supports it. So breaking the trend and stepping outside of that repetitive-thinking/obsessive loop is one of the deliberate actions that helps not reinforce that loop. The more people allow their brains to do that, the easier it is to fall into that pattern. The more people don't allow themselves to cycle through that loop, the easier it is not to get stuck in that pattern.

We learned about this in medical psychopathology class.

[allrollsin21]

it also might be helpful to try some Pranayama Breathing techniques. These are closely associated with meditation and work well right before. They are thousand year old techniques that help to clear the mind to prepare it for deeper meditation, and relaxation of the body. I find it to sometimes work similarly to the Herb.
Google Yogananda if you are interested.

For me the idea is to rid myself of these continuous thoughts whether positive or negative. A compulsive thought is a compulsive thought. All thought are fine so long as we can evaluate them and let them run their course and ESPECIALLY let them melt into thin air. It is a lifelong practice!

[chillinoutblazebowls]

Beautiful responses!! Thank you so much!