Bipolar Disorder Support Group

My first manic episode was partially due to me hitting a gravity bong of super snowcap after only getting a few hours sleep over 3 days. After that, each time I smoked to excess without sleep it induced a long psychosis. Although there were other major factors involved, the fact that you are on mood stabs kinda diminishes the effects of mj. Personally, I don't think marijuana is going to help you regain interest in life...but if you rapid cycle or are caught in a full on mania...a solid indica might bring your thoughts back to a more manageable speed. and grats off qutting ciggarettes...im working on ending them myself. don't give up. keep searching for the answer and you'll find what works for you.

Thanks for your honest commentary. I plan to discuss this with my psychiatrist tomorrow.

Regarding legality of medical marijuana, I read the following in FORTUNE magazine (September 28, 2009 issue)...medical marijuana is legal in the following states: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Michigan, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Alaska and Hawaii. Medical marijuana has legislation pending and/or a voter initiative in 2009-2010 in the following states: Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticutt, New Jersey and Delaware.

In order to receive medical marijuana from a legal dispensary or "compationate-care clinics", you need to get a "recommendation" from a medical doctor. I understand that in California, there are doctors who actually advertise that they will prescribe medical marijuana.

President Obama recently signed legislation in February 2009 that no longer allows Federal law to override state law in terms of dispensing and allowing medical marijuana to be purchased or used by patients (this article described how representatives from the justice department would routinely raid and shut down legal dispesaries in CA just because they could. The dispensaries would just move to another location and still continue sale and distribution).

I started using medical MJ a little over two weeks ago. I got tired of the meds not working and constantly being changed, not to mention the horrible side effects and possible complications of the meds further down the road. I work full time in ER and ICU only to watch so many of us OD on "conventional" meds. I don't like using MJ due to the stigma attached to it, but then again I don't like being Bipolar either. I have found MJ to be very very useful esp because I rapid cycle. It keeps me even keel and happy. I use Sativa mostly, it keeps me focused, calm, on task, relaxed and I feel GOOD. The effect lasts 3-4 hrs for myself. It works well with my depression and mania. One thing to be cautious about is your dosing, if you inhale or eat too much it can and probably will cause anxiety, paranoia or for you to sleep, so be very very careful at first. This happened to me and I already had bad vibes about MJ. Dosing is key. Vaporizers can do a very good job with estimating your proper dose. If you need to relax and or sleep Indica is a good idea to try, Indica makes me hungry though. Munchie galore... Good for ppl with nausea or ED problems(my opinion). I tried the food, I wouldn't recommend for us beepers at the beginning just because it takes a while to take effect and it is hard to dose properly. Although cheesecake is yummy. As fas as hybrids go, I would get those after you tried the sativa and indica seperately just so you know how they each effect you. MJ can be extremely useful, I used to be an activist AGAINST it until I educated myself on it and now have my medical card. My migraines, anorexia and BP are slowly becoming better... It is a process, to each your own road. I hope this helps and I hope something works for you soon=) 
Oh, one other thing I use MJ alone right now and sometimes when the medication is wearing off it is hard. Just so you know... I only use once a day after work and I do okay:)

serendipitious...so glad you overcame the stigma attached to cannabis. Every person is different. I can only indulge at night before bedtime. Otherwise I have no impetus to get anything done.

I know others that work better with than without...everyone is different. For me, it takes away all my problems and lets me truly relax for an hr or so before sleep. That time is precious.

Before I found the right meds, it was the only thing that could calm me down from a severe hypomanic episode. I do believe it should be available to all beepers for stabilizing manic episodes.

As bad as it may sound...I think it's all according to who you want to use for your Pharmacist.

That's about the difference.

So many use it because its...useful.

How many prescription drugs start with plants as their base??

I guess the reason it's not up for legislation here in KY is because it grows wild all over the place. The wild stuff isn't very potent. I think it's a hybrid from the old days when hemp was the top cash crop down here, and boo planted by the biker hangs for profit. It has very little kick. But it's just enough kick to help, and I only do enough of it to help.

I don't have insurance so the only I can get to help is Mj and sometimes Loratabs for my fibromyalgia. I think Mj is best, I can smoke at night and sleep all night and still be pain free until the next night. The only draw back is when I run out, I get really grumpy and depressed.