Cannabis and anxiety disorder

[Jesusgreen]

Hey, I'm new to the site but I've been browsing here for a while. My mother was diagnosed with anxiety disorder almost 17 years ago and has been taking anti-depressants most of that time. She depends on them and although she managed to quit for 2 years she is now back on them, only a different form (she now takes sertraline). She is very anti-Cannabis as she has read a little too far into media speculation but I had a conversation about it with her the other day and she agreed that she'll try Cannabis next year but she is first going to try her best to give up cigarettes, alcohol, and anti-depressants (I don't think she'll manage this, but I'm glad she's at least trying).

We all know that using the wrong strains or a little too much can lead to anxiety and paranoia, and I would like some tips on the best way for her to use it that may actually relieve her anxiety rather than causing more. She used to have severe panic attacks every time she left the house and it'd be nice if she had something that could alleviate this and allow her to feel confident when out and about.

I'm pretty well versed on many of the medical benefits of Cannabis however I do not know anyone personally that has anxiety disorder and smokes/eats it, so I would like to see if anyone has more information on the subject, or if anyone has personal experience in this area.

Strain suggestions, smoking vs edibles, etc are all welcome :)

I might show her this topic once I get some replies too, so if you have any tips for someone who is a little worried about trying it, please post them.

Thanks in advance!

[PaNheAdjay]

My recommendation is to start her on some nice relaxing low grade Indica dominant strain, anything from Nepal, Afgan, Kushes etc. I would recommend letting her smoke and starting her off slow, letting her take a hit and waiting few minutes to see how she feels.

I don't recommend any strong sativas at first since I think your looking to relax her.

I don't recommend eating it at first since it is hard to judge the dose and by the time you find out she has had too much its too late.

keep in mind that marijuana gives some people panic attacks so let her take it real slow.

[Jesusgreen]

Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards the idea of simply letting her smoke rather than use edibles, and to share a joint with her rather than letting her smoke a spliff (weed/tobacco mix) as although a spliff has less Cannabis in it and is milder, the stimulant effects of nicotine seem to heighten paranoia and anxiety, producing a much less clean high that is more prone to be a negative experience.

There aren't too many high grade Indica strains available for people looking around here other than in the case of growing your own, but she will be moving to Poland next year and so when I visit I should be able to find something as Indica strains are much more common there, along with good hash which comes straight from Nepal/Afghanistan/etc. Poland may be enacting medical marijuana laws of their own soon and hopefully these may come into place before she moves there, allowing her to avoid the black market. :)

Thanks again, and any extra advice is greatly appreciated.

[PaNheAdjay]

you crazy brits mixin good grass and tabacco!!!

good luck with your mom!

[Storm Crow]

From "Granny Storm Crow's list (linked below).

Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research - Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug (http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0100-879X2006000400001&script=sci_arttext#Text)

The association between anxiety and alcohol versus cannabis abuse disorders among adolescents in primary care settings
The association between anxiety and alcohol versus cannabis abuse disorders among adolescents in primary care settings -- Low et al. 25 (5): 321 -- Family Practice (http://fampra.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/cmn049)

The efficacy and safety of nabilone (a synthetic cannabinoid) in the treatment of anxiety
Clinical Studies and Case Reports (http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=229&&search_pattern=ANXIOLYTIC).

Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic. A double-blind, controlled clinical trial on cannabidiol vs. amisulpride in acute schizophrenia.
Clinical Studies and Case Reports (http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=213&&search_pattern=ANXIOLYTIC)

Single-dose study of nabilone in anxious volunteers.
Clinical Studies and Case Reports (http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=236&&search_pattern=blood,pressure)

Effects of {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol on reward and anxiety in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Unbound MEDLINE | Effects of {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol on reward and anxiety in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress. Journal article abstract (http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/record/19406854/abstract/Effects_of_%7BDelta%7D9_tetrahydrocannabinol_on_re ward_and_anxiety_in_rats_exposed_to_chronic_unpred ictable_stress_)

Modulation of effective connectivity during emotional processing by Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.
Modulation of effective connectivity during emotio... [Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2009] - PubMed result (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19775500?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum)


(Nabilone is a synthetic THC, incidentally. I doubt if Mom would know that.) I would go with an indica and skip the tobacco. Cannabis has also been shown to help with withdrawal from other drugs- alcohol, tobacco, etc.


Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol decreases somatic and motivational manifestations of nicotine withdrawal in mice.
Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol decreases somatic and ... [Eur J Neurosci. 2004] - PubMed result (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15548217?ordinalpos=6&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum)

Cannabis substitution (alcohol)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports (http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/ww_en_db_study_show.php?s_id=86)



Granny :hippy:

[Jesusgreen]

Ooh thanks, didn't see those on your list, though I probably should have looked a little harder. Thanks for the help everyone and I'll show her this topic and the links.


you crazy brits mixin good grass and tabacco!!!

Yeah I disagree with mixing the two. It works better for sharing a joint as it burns slower, but on the whole the main reason for my interest in Cannabis is the medicinal benefits which tobacco lessens, causing problems of its own. As a regular 20 a day smoker I could imagine she'd find a spliff milder but I agree that she should stop smoking tobacco and so I think I'll make sure she tries it without.