Anxiety Attacks/Panic Attacks/Pain Management And Marijuana:

I have been a heavy pot smoker most my adult life. At the age of 16 I started using recreationally, I am currently 37. Over the past decade or even more the only time I am not high/smoking was when I was sleeping, seriously. Because of my work being a massage therapist and owning my own clinic, I was able to live this life style without it affecting my every day life. So I thought. I have no medical problems, healthy as they come and had a possitive/healthy state of mind and well-being. About 2 months ago from this day I had a severe anxiety/panic attack. So severe I had to call 911 and go to the hospital. I thought I was going to die, having a heart attack. This was my first time ever experiencing an attack. I didn't even know what they really were until they explained at the hospital. Thank goodness that has been my only "severe" attack in the past 2 months although I have had two smaller ones and am still in the "critical" stage of this ordeal. Why I am posting this is because of what I found out after seeing numerous doctors and doing my own research over the past couple of months. I saw two MDs, psychiatrist and a psychologist. After sitting down with each one and being honest about my marijuana abuse for so long they all told me the same thing, "I have over-dosed and have been over dosing on the levels of THC in my system for to long.". This affects the GABA receptors which when affected will produce the feelings of depression and will cause panic/anxiety disorders among other things. These are both results in my case of an abnormal interference with the GABA receptors caused by long term over dosing of marijuana.

Each person's body is different of course and moderation is always key. You always hear how marijuana is natural and what not and all these great things about it. Through all my experiences with weed and especially now, I don't agree. Once again in moderation, fine. In certain medical cases after the patient has tried everything else, why not? Especially cancer patients and what not. But for pain? I just don't think marijuana is the answer. At first it may work for the individual especially if THC is new to the body. Just the new feeling of being "high" can be enough of a new sensation to the body that it may interfere positively to the pain cycle. But like with everything else our bodies build up tolerances and the more THC that is put in to the body for a duration of time is only opening the door to more unrelated problems to the pain, like severe anxiety.

From what my doctors told me and through my research I have found that pot isn't all that it is made out to be. Especially these days where pot has become stronger and stronger and more unhealthy chemicals in them as well which is mostly dependent on how it was grown (certain toxic fertilizers/water sources/ground soil and so on) are just a couple factors. I have been told by professionals that I will feel like a new man once all the THC is out of my system and allow time for my brain to literally heal. I know there are other issues and factors at work here. But I was very relieved. So relieved I cried in one of the doctor's offices when they told me this because I thought I was going crazy. I am currently on pharmaceutical medication for the first time in my life. I am taking the lowest dosage possible(other then not taking any) of Alprazolam and the same with Lamotrigine. The Alpra to calm the daily anxiety symptoms I still experience and the Lamotrigine as a mood stabilizer. I have always gone the natural/nutritional path but in certain situations like this one I felt I had little choice. It is still unclear how long it will take to get the majority of the THC out of my system. My system which has had it in it for so long and so much. And it also unclear how long it will take for my brain to almost fully recover to a healthier state. I was told 4-6 months and I should start noticing a difference from not having it in my system anymore. All I know is I have been pot free for 2 months now and don't plan on using it again. I don't even miss it, which is great! I got scared shitless and that was all I needed to quit. I hope over the next couple months I can ween off the medications and start going the natural route. I am ready to heal. I am ready for peace. I am ready for a sense of "well-being". And for me my friends, marijuana robbed me of those things. I'm at fault of course because of my depth of usage. But, don't let anyone fool you about marijuana. Although, no body has died from an overdose, overdosing is real and is a very common and a very valid thing that leads to other disorders. You would be surprised how many conditions/problems are misdiagnosed and the underlying cause was the overdosing of THC in the body's system. There's a long list and I included the website. Marijuana overdose Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and Causes - RightDiagnosis.com

Once again, I am not anti-pot as long as it used in moderation but I am not a fan of people medicating themselves with it. You may become very dependent of it and it may for you open the door to more serious medical problems. Don't forget marijuana alters our brain and it's functions. Have fun but don't be like me. Once again, moderation is key. I am a drastic example of what large amounts of THC for extended amount/s of time can do your body's system. I have smoked it all, this strand that strand;Amsterdam, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Israel... it's still THC. "Thoughts become things" if you truly believe pot will help you on a cellular level then maybe it will. But still the facts are the facts. I hoped I helped some of you by using my experiences to guide some light on this topic. Take it from a veteran-over-the-top smoker.

Thanks for putting up with my rambling. Just trying to help and inform from my experiences..