A Serious topic: Marijuana and Depression

[Lithium]

I've been plagued with strong depression for about a year now. I've been taking anti depressants (Zoloft 100 mg) for about 4 years now for anxiety. I've attributed my depression to how much weed I smoke.
I mean seriously here, I smoke daily, and when I'm blazed, I think "Shit I don't see how I'm depressed, that's stupid" and then afterwards I basically want to kill myself. It's the times that I'm NOT high that I feel like shit. When I quit smoking for a few days, I start feeling positive again. But as anyone knows here, when pot is presented, it ain't easy saying "no thanks!". I LOVE pot. Like any of you.

So I searched google for "marijuana and depression" and I found the following link, and I agree with most of the posters. I had no idea that something I've loved so much as marijuana would be making me so sad.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/mental...ges/31485.html

I hope none of you are going to flame me, or say something stupid like "dood ur stoopid, pot makes u happy just look at me". I'm no newbie to smoking, and no newbie to depression. I am however, new to finding the cause, and that in itself has made me upset. All my friends smoke pot. It's such a bummer.

[grassisfree]

if your depressed it doesn't make much sense to take a depressant, and their is no doubt that drugs precipitate and exacerbate lasting physiological disorders

[Offspring123]

If your not enjoying smoking, then quit...that sucks though.

[malady]

im not goign to flame you


i fee lthe same way somtimes and i dont take any depressent medication.

somtimes i think i should

[Lithium]

Originally Posted by grassisfree

if your depressed it doesn't make much sense to take a depressant, and their is no doubt that drugs precipitate and exacerbate lasting physiological disorders

Marijuana is a depressant drug. This does not mean that it makes you feel depressed, but that it depresses (slows down) some of your bodily functions.

Edit: deleted the second half of the post cause I was wrong

[syntax13]

Originally Posted by grassisfree

if your depressed it doesn't make much sense to take a depressant, and their is no doubt that drugs precipitate and exacerbate lasting physiological disorders

Although MJ is a depressant, it doesn't mean that you are emotionally depressed. It just slows down your central nervous system or something similar to that.

Edit - Shit, didn't read lithiums post. He pretty much said it :\

If i were you I wouldn't take any antidepressants.
I took Paxil for 2 years and started having mad panic attacks. I then stopped taking then, had a few anxiety attacks and slight withdrawel, but afterwards i've been a lot better off w/o them.
my advice would be to get off the ad's as soon as possible. they're bad news, imo.

[PlainShane]

To the untrained eye I will ramble for 2 paragraphs, so unless you are the topic starter or have similar qualities skip down a few.
I am too tired to add much to this thread because it would take a while to type out... and I just got off work... anyways... geez, what a typical stoner move... Long story short, I have a therapist and psychiatrist so I know my shit about depression/bipolar 2/OCD/ADHD; all of which I have. That may sound serious, which it is somewhat, but you wouldn't be able to tell by talking to me or being around me. You picture someone with bipolar going ape shit, but jesus that is soooooooooo wrong. Anyways again, jesus I ramble. just skip down here...

I know what you mean bro, and personally I like to take a weekend off from all sorts of partying/smoking/anything but being alone sober for a few days and that clears my head beyond belief. I will just sit in my room, be a computer nerd, play video games, smoke a lot of cigarettes, pet my animals, and think sooooo much it's not even funny. Wow, I'm taking over this thread, fuck.

Anyways, hah hah, do what I do. Every month or so, give yourself some sober breathing time alone to ponder and enjoy the shit that seems boring but will open up your mind to a world of inspiration. The sober world is often foreign to some of us stoners

[Shocker]

Marijuana depresses your brains ability to produce a hormone called Dopamine. This chemical is partly responsible for your "happy" feelings.

[Lithium]

Originally Posted by Pink Oddity

If i were you I wouldn't take any antidepressants.
I took Paxil for 2 years and started having mad panic attacks. I then stopped taking then, had a few anxiety attacks and slight withdrawel, but afterwards i've been a lot better off w/o them.
my advice would be to get off the ad's as soon as possible. they're bad news, imo.

I've heard bad things about Paxil in particular actually... I dont know. I take it for anxiety because apparently they have no drugs meant specifically for anxiety. And it helps for that!

[ices]

Originally Posted by Lithium

This means that it slows down your heart rate, breathing, metabolism and
reaction times.

Not quite. Marijuana increases heart rate and metabolism. For the most part, grassisfree is correct, taking any type of drug, especially psychoactives, when you're having psychological problems isn't a good idea. If anything, you should consult your doctor.

You said it yourself, when stopping pot for a few days, you start to feel better. Your problem doesn't lay with your use, but your willpower (or the lack thereof). My suggestion would be to lay off the pot, and deal with your depression. Hopefully, you'll come out the winner, and only then should you start to work with your marijuana usage. Good luck.

[Bobbert]

I have been dealing with major depression recently. I find my self not wanting to smoke because frankly I don't want to do anything but sleep. When i do smoke though I feel better in general.

I don't know if marijuana is the catalist to your depression. It never hurts to take a break though for a few months and see how you feel. You might find that no matter what changing any thing in your life might make you feel better for a while. Give it enough time to make sure your just are not thinking your doing better but really are doing better off weed. Why not give it a chance, you will now either way by the end of it.

[Lithium]

I appreciate the posts folks.

shocker: i was unaware! thanks

ices: thanks for the good advice, i left you a present. haha

bobbert: you live in seattle and you're wondering why you're depressed? i'm only kidding. thanks~

[Talon]

dude i feel you. i have been depressed daily to the point of crying. smoking weed takes my depression away and keeps me happy. but i havent smoked in a week and my depressions coming back. i dont know what the hell it has to do with the topic, but you're not alone.

[Flabos]

I feel depression next morning after smoking.
I have a bad feeling like i have let my family down.
But that's because im under 18 :/