Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Jenniferswe 10/09/2016

I've been doing some research and I think I've found something that might work for me. I found some articles that said some strains of marijuana does help people with bipolar disorder. It's natural and locally grown for the most part. I live in Oregon so there are marijuana dispensaries all over the place. I told my son about this and he didn't like the idea. It's not his decision to make. It's my brain, my body and my life and I'm tired of suffering.

This isn't something I will go into blindly, I will do a lot of research. I'm sure my current psychiatric nurse practioner wouldn't go for this. I asked her last about using marijuana and she said it was too dangerous. I would be good to have a pdoc closer to where I live. I've been trying to find a mental health professional who prescribes medical marijuana but haven't found anyone yet. I think what I need to do go to a nearby dispensary and ask someone there and other questions.

I'm not going to go around stoned out of my gourd all the time. I would us the recommended amount to stablize my moods.

May this be the answer I'm looking for.

irishwriter 10/10/2016

I believe you can get medical marijuana that doesn't make you stoned - it has the THC removed but the healing stuff left in. maybe you could look into that and it would also appease your son, it is not fun to be around a stoned person all the time. in fact it can be a nightmare. i wish you luck with your research. it is a powerful drug.

acuriousfish 10/10/2016

You can find articles that will tell you alot of things are good for bipolar, including pig feed supplements.

On the natural thing, actually lithium is natural. It occurs in the form we take it in vast quantities.

Alot of people here have said it makes them more paranoid. I quoted the thing from the UK's psychiatrists that said few people realised the dangers of using it when they are bipolar / schizophrenic.

As you say, it's your choice.

MayB 10/10/2016

Jenn there are many different kinds of pot these days. Some of it is like taking a cup of coffee....what do you have to lose?

Sunshinegirl0228 10/10/2016

I wish my state had medical or recreational pot. When I smoked i just calmed down so well and felt so good. I never did anything stupid under the influence but I loved how it made me feel. I wish you the best

SunCloudJD 10/10/2016

I would discuss with your son that you aren't looking to do something that is illegal or that for you this isn't about partying.... People have a mind frame when it comes to pot
There aren't too many medical professionals at this point with a license to prescribe it... However there are well informed dispensaries... at least here there are....
As Irish wrote there are many forms for it.... A friend of mine takes it for the tremors from Parkinson's and it's the only thing that's worked for him thus far.....He takes it in the form of chocolate ... It doesn't make him stoned and helps him to sleep ... He can't take it from a regular pot plant as that makes him paranoid and stoned and he hated it

mlr0853 10/10/2016

Lots of article on this site about Medical Marijuana. Personal choice, for me, I can't inhale smoke. I'd check with psydr...what your son thinks or doesn't think can not be a deciding factor only an opinion. You'll need to balance out the pro's and con's of using to improve your depression in no medication helps. Everything has side effects, except exercise that has been proven to change brain chemistry in those with depression.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=Medical+Marijuana+and+Psychiatric+Disorders&FORM=QSRE2

The cost can also be quite expensive. In CT, a friend had to pay 350.00 to get the proof of her ptsd so her dr. would prescribe Med. Marijuana and then to obtain from the dispensary, she also had to pay for obtaining marijuana. Good Luck~

Jenniferswe 10/10/2016

In case anyone is interested, here's a link to the article that got me thinking about this: https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/why-people-smoke-weed-to-treat-depression

acuriousfish 10/10/2016

this kind of things worry me. Just simplified science

"A 2011 review of phytocannabinoid-terpenoids (light sensitive weed terpenes) in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that limonene was useful in treating depression. Linalool and myrcene were more useful in treating anxiety. But anxiety and depression can often go hand-in-hand. SSRI's are useful for both anxiety and depression. Why not weed?"

Because weed also includes a bunch of other things, doesn't it? This kind of selective picking of science drive me crazy.

And even if it were correct - we are bipolar, not unipolar depressives. That's why many anti-depressents don't work for us.

Anyway, you might find this more balanced and useful
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/cannabis.aspx

Jenniferswe 10/10/2016

Good point Fish. I'm thinking of moving on from this idea and find something else.

malibumark 10/10/2016

I have used pot before, and it usually made me feel paranoid and exacerbated my feelings.
That's just my reaction. I know pot can make you feel really cozy and silly too - but for me I think it would be more of an out of control experience.

irishwriter 10/10/2016

I too hate anything that interferes with my ability to read or write. the chocolate one seems to be a good idea. it is worth checking all avenues. in my own experience i was married to a hash addict and both of my sons are addicted. when they haven't got it (as in, if they run out) they can be quite unpleasant to be around but having said that i would take them doing that over alcohol any day. none of my kids consume much alcohol for which i am extremely grateful as their father is also an alcoholic as are several of my siblings and my father's siblings. to my mind alcohol is a much more dangerous drug and is actually the no1 killer drug that we have access to readily.

gramybear 10/10/2016

My Aunt in Oregon grows it for the dispensaries. There is also marijuana that does not give you the high but helps a lot of people with pain. My son told me I should try marijuana for my pain and depression so I did. Unfortunately it makes me paranoid so that didn't work out too well. I would, however, like to try the type that does not cause the "high". We have doctors here that write prescriptions for up to a year. I have lost a lot of friends and family to cigarettes and alcohol but not one from smoking marijuana. Just a fact...Let us know how you do. Hugs

Jenniferswe 10/10/2016

thank you everyone for responding.

MusicLoveFaith 10/11/2016

I think if this is a consideration, consulting with a specialist would be the best thing.

Jenniferswe 10/11/2016

Thank you

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