Cannibis-Induced Panic Attack

[NaturalWonder]

So, many of you veterans on the forum may have came across a thread on cannabis-induced panic attacks before and I am guessing this is probably no different (same problem, different background). Well, here it goes in a condensed form:

I had been smoking since my sophomore year in high-school on a routine basis. It was my 'me' time, a calming measure and my substitute for Ritalin (My parents disapprove of medication). Slowly through my senior year, around winter break, I began to feel minorly uncomfortable when high. Nothing to write home about, but something was 'off'. I ignored it an continued my daily routine smoking and studying for my exams. I went to my buddy's house for a break and we rolled a blunt. Afterwards, that uncomfortable feeling came back to me with a stronger presence. When I finally walked out the door, it all went downhill. I could barely take ten steps before I had to stop and catch my breath, heart pounding, chest pains, numbness and dissociation from the environment around me. It was terrifying. I continued my walk ten steps at a time, pausing to make sure my heart wasn't about to explode. I got home and tried to sleep it off. I watched the alarm clock for two hours listening to my heartbeat...

I stopped smoking for 5 months, got my diploma and felt great.

I pondered whether I should revert to my past or to avoid pot all-together since the panic attack. I gave in to temptation. One hit, bam....another panic attack. Weeks later, I try to control myself and smoke minute amounts as to avoid another crisis and I succeed after a few tries. With confidence, I decide that I was fine to have a 'welcome back' bowl with a friend. The second we are finished I notice that the anxiety was creeping in: sweats, heart-rate, numbness on left side of body and face, disassociation, fear, all of it. It was even worse than my first panic attack.

Is there any hope for a fella like myself to ever smoke again? I have never had problems outside of those that appear when I smoke ever before in my life...Would anxiety meds help out at all? Trying an indica? I am fairly confused on what to do and desperate for help in any way possible. I may just end up quitting for good.... Any sort of advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading and dealing with a post from the new guy
-Cheers

NaturalWonder Reviewed by NaturalWonder on 08-08-2011. Cannibis-Induced Panic Attack So, many of you veterans on the forum may have came across a thread on cannabis-induced panic attacks before and I am guessing this is probably no different (same problem, different background). Well, here it goes in a condensed form: I had been smoking since my sophomore year in high-school on a routine basis. It was my 'me' time, a calming measure and my substitute for Ritalin (My parents disapprove of medication). Slowly through my senior year, around winter break, I began to feel Rating: 5

[painretreat]

:rasta:Natural Wonder: Welcome to the Forum and sharing your experience.:rastasmoke:

I would never suggest you medicate with any drug to allow you to medicate for mmj! Due to the medication you were suppose to be on, mmj is a great substitute for your medical problem. You are correct-use Indicas and I would suggest Blueberry-smooth type of feeling. Any Indica with a low amount of Sativa-as all have some sativa in them. Find the best one for you.

You can get 'butter' and that or edibles. Check them all out. Even brownies! Find what is best for you.:jointsmile:

You can control your brain, it is a powerful tool. Hyperventilating can be controlled breathing into a brown paper bag-it will pass. Unfortunately, rapid heart rate is part of medicating with mmj. You may try daily exercise-to better control your heart rate and bring it down on a regular basis. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY: Daily meditation that is meditation-not medication: Yes! It does help. Meditate prior to use and during. Experiment while alone and see if you are having symptoms only when you are with others. Enjoy the trip and mmj! Toss fear aside. We can subconciously talk ourselves into a Panic Attack.

The numbness is from hyperventilating; Use a brown paper bag to breathe into and don't blow smoke into it. That will prevent the numbness and your breathing-control your breaths.

It sounds like this happens when you are "social". Face it, a blunt is a lot! You don't need that much due to your infrequent use. Toke, wait and then do some every 10 minutes or so-believe me, that is how I use the medication, just until it is effective.

Medicate with an Indica (noting-all Indicas has some sativa-research for one with the least amount).

Again, you are a good candidate for mmj and I hope you don't have to give up. But, that is always an option. As others on this site have had to do just that. For many, with a little work, it will go away. You may want to grow your own to control what you take in your body.

Remember: Meditation/exercise and Indica! (brown paper bag): And enjoy the process. Mmj will not kill you. Use your mind to overcome this. It may be a good thing to do, even if you find you do have to give it up!

Good luck to you and check out some other threads of likeness to yours! Catcha in the Forum's!

Go into the Forum and read similar threads, many here have had to give up token, but not all! Pr :eat:

[Purple Daddy]

If the symptoms are worse then the cure then I'm not sure there is a benefit.

[NaturalWonder]

Painretreat, thank you so much for your post! I am glad that I found someone who was able to understand my predicament and advise certain precautions and suggestions for me. You have no Idea how great I feel already. I will try edibles again and see if they still help with my issues whilst avoiding panic after ingestion. I just wish I could revert to the 'good ol days' where I never had a problem.

Thank you for the help. Hopefully I will see you later on the forum.
-Best wishes

[painretreat]

Natural Wonder: Please don't forget MEDITATION and Routine Exercise. Not just good for the body, both are good for your mind. And please do not take other medication to use mmj? PR

[SmokeMyPiece]

Welcome NH, you're not alone.

It has been said, but i just wanted to come in and 2nd that; you're smokin too much at once.
I used to try and take long drags/hits when smokin, to make sure I saturated my lungs with each hit. Before I knew it, I had taken a couple good hits without takin a couple breaths of oxygen only haha...
Then I would get some of the symptoms you're talkin about. I taught myself to take it easy and breathe in between hits, The high will still be there.
-My bro actually passed out once while standing. Wasnt letting enough oxygen get to his brain.

[NaturalWonder]

Welcome NH, you're not alone.

It has been said, but i just wanted to come in and 2nd that; you're smokin too much at once.
I used to try and take long drags/hits when smokin, to make sure I saturated my lungs with each hit. Before I knew it, I had taken a couple good hits without takin a couple breaths of oxygen only haha...
Then I would get some of the symptoms you're talkin about. I taught myself to take it easy and breathe in between hits, The high will still be there.
-My bro actually passed out once while standing. Wasnt letting enough oxygen get to his brain.

Defiantly, moderation is key. Quick question, do you think any sort of edible or the honey oil would cause me to have panic attacks or would it be more mellow because of the body high?

[meigscountygold]

Welcome NH, you're not alone.

It has been said, but i just wanted to come in and 2nd that; you're smokin too much at once.
I used to try and take long drags/hits when smokin, to make sure I saturated my lungs with each hit. Before I knew it, I had taken a couple good hits without takin a couple breaths of oxygen only haha...
Then I would get some of the symptoms you're talkin about. I taught myself to take it easy and breathe in between hits, The high will still be there.
-My bro actually passed out once while standing. Wasnt letting enough oxygen get to his brain.

I also agree. I do this all the time. Depending on the potency of the weed, it can make for some strange feelings. I had some bad chest pains the other night at work when a friend asked me to smoke some ass kicking homegrown with him. My chest hurt like hell of two big hits and holds until coughing to release the smoke. I had double vision, coughed profusely, and felt like I was three inches tall for three hours. It was great, but that is why I smoke to get high. One of the side effects of weed is paranoia, mostly in larger doses but my girl gets that way on two hits of mersh. I will not even smoke the good shit with her; she would think she was dying.

[SmokeMyPiece]

Defiantly, moderation is key. Quick question, do you think any sort of edible or the honey oil would cause me to have panic attacks or would it be more mellow because of the body high?

Yeah, much more of a body high with edibles.

[sk8njam]

you kept saying all indicas have some sativa in them...why??