Bipolar and cannabis - daily toking?

OK, so Ive been suffering with bipolar for a few years now, and Ive been on a few different meds. Not many, but enough to make me sick and tired of all the damn side effects. Lofepramine made me put on 2 stone in weight, which I STILL havent managed to lose. Sodium Valproate gave me 'The Shakes' which got in the way of my favourite hobby, shooting. Temazepam makes me vomit, diazepam/valium is addictive (but works), aripiprazole doesnt seem to affect me, and the dose of carbamazepine has to be constantly increased because I seem to be developing some sort of tolerance to it.

Cannabis is the only substance which seems to work. When im anxious or angry, it calms me down. INSTANTLY. When I cant sleep because Ive got so many thoughts running through my head, it slows down the thoughts and helps me process them in a calmer state of mind. When im on a high period, again it calms me down and makes me think more rationally and clearer.
If Im careful with the amount I smoke, I can still function at a normal pace - sometimes faster than normal - and much to my parents surprise, I have had many an intelligent conversation whilst high. Im also pretty antisocial, keeping myself to myself and occasionally just locking myself away in my room for days on end. With cannabis, I become more socially active. My energy levels increase whilst 'high' and I enjoy taking a walk in the park with a spliff, something I dont usually do. It helps me appreciate nature more, and Im more willing to eat an apple instead of a KFC after a spliff.

So the question is, does anyone here have a mental illness and has found that cannabis is the true medicine for them? Are there any implications with you smoking daily, and how much do you smoke each day (in grams)?

Cheers peeps :)

Cannabis is a magical plant that can help a lot of mental illnesses, atleast that is what I think. It helps me with bi-polar too. It helps my insomnia and anxiety as well. If I were you I would try an anti-psychotic such as risperdal or seroquel in combination with a low dose of an anti-depressant. But just stick to cannabis if it works for you, it works for me, and I only have to toke daily when going through depression.

Recommending an anti psychotic to anyone who dose not really NEED it is a bad idea. If the the weed is helping you then go for it man, obviously moderation is the key. Same with everything. Peace.

I no longer have panic attacks because of cannabis.

Marijuana made me patient

Theres alot of new research being done about cannabis in relation to mental perception (I tend to think of mental illness differantly than most conventional thoughts) and for the most part its all positive. Talk to any psychiatrist and ask them if you should stop smoking weed. I guarentee you they will either not say anything or they will tell you ,you should keep doing it. Man if it helps do it! My mother and brother both are depressed and I know what thats like to go through.

Im not smoking weed for a long time because of metal shit so peace to evey 1, Im retiring my account.

But my Mom was most definitely bipolar! Me? I'm just "moody". That being said, cannabis is a big help in my life. It mellows me out and prevents migraines (from a traumatic childhood head injury). I work in education and many have commented on my upbeat personality. I've toked for 40 years now and the competent, caring person that everyone knows and loves is the result of all that toking! If cannabis helps you, keep using it! - Granny:stoned:

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Originally Posted by UtopianDreamer

Recommending an anti psychotic to anyone who dose not really NEED it is a bad idea. If the the weed is helping you then go for it man, obviously moderation is the key. Same with everything. Peace.

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I mean I don't know what is going on with them, but the anti-psychotics don't just help with hallucinations....

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Originally Posted by Tom Swierzbinski

OK, so Ive been suffering with bipolar for a few years now, and Ive been on a few different meds. Not many, but enough to make me sick and tired of all the damn side effects. Lofepramine made me put on 2 stone in weight, which I STILL havent managed to lose. Sodium Valproate gave me 'The Shakes' which got in the way of my favourite hobby, shooting. Temazepam makes me vomit, diazepam/valium is addictive (but works), aripiprazole doesnt seem to affect me, and the dose of carbamazepine has to be constantly increased because I seem to be developing some sort of tolerance to it.

Cannabis is the only substance which seems to work. When im anxious or angry, it calms me down. INSTANTLY. When I cant sleep because Ive got so many thoughts running through my head, it slows down the thoughts and helps me process them in a calmer state of mind. When im on a high period, again it calms me down and makes me think more rationally and clearer.
If Im careful with the amount I smoke, I can still function at a normal pace - sometimes faster than normal - and much to my parents surprise, I have had many an intelligent conversation whilst high. Im also pretty antisocial, keeping myself to myself and occasionally just locking myself away in my room for days on end. With cannabis, I become more socially active. My energy levels increase whilst 'high' and I enjoy taking a walk in the park with a spliff, something I dont usually do. It helps me appreciate nature more, and Im more willing to eat an apple instead of a KFC after a spliff.

So the question is, does anyone here have a mental illness and has found that cannabis is the true medicine for them? Are there any implications with you smoking daily, and how much do you smoke each day (in grams)?

Cheers peeps :)

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im glad you found something that works with out all the side effects, i use to suffer from depression but ever since i started smoking it just kinda went away, now im not sure if its because im smoking or growing up more and my bodies matureing. but somethings working

I have A.D.D. MJ helps me. Especially a good sativa.
Cali-misty (sp?)- the worlds finest sativa should work well for bi-polar. my brother is bi-polar and self-medicates with mj. The pills help him though too most times. but that's another issue. gl.

my son MAY be bipolar but I cant tell and the doctor may have missed it.

Funny- I thought my anxity was due to smoking pot. I love getting High But I tend to get nervas, and worry more when I get high. Depression and anxity run in my famliy. I have tried meds however I normally stop taking them when my script. Runs out. I know it can take weeks and even months for medication to kick-in. However I have always blamed my "paranoia" on my pot addiction. Anyone feel like Pot triggers this????

yup, im anxious and have minor depression and also am just anti social

im on valium which is nice, but like u said its addictive and i dont like how it stays in ur system for awhile

cannabis works man

Yeh i dont have bi-polar. but i have ADHD.
ever since i started smoking weed i have gotten my grades from straight F's to b's and c's. and it helps me concentrate on work.
it makes me happy.
i love you, mary jane.

ive found marijuana helped me develop psychosis and made my moods swing more..

i take lithium and geodon...mood stab and anti psych...ive been problem free for 4 years and when i was smoking it didnt help or hurt it..just kinda neutral

i guess some can medicate with weed and dont need pills..
itd probably be a good idea not to over do it anyway...if you have porblems or not..
moderation

I'm bi polar too, and I agree its helped me a lot, except for when i get my major down moments, but it does help me sleep when my head is going a mile a second too..and its helped tons with my anxiety...but when I'm stoned I'm more anti-social. but it helps me with most things..

Dude when I am depressed weed can make me feel more guilty. Which fucking sucks.