I know someone personally who is bipolar, smokes it, and it really seems to help him. unfortunately, Ohio isn\'t as nice to people who need it for medical purposes. I say: if it helps, ask for it!

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Just like any medication I am sure moderation is necessary. You would have to have a certificate for it. I would like to know about studies on the effects . I am currently trying to link nicotine as well as I have been managing for many years on limited meds and quit smi=oking and boom I am spiraling. I know that back in the day when pot was cool I was a lot more evenly keeled. But now that I am a mom as well as an addictive personality it scares me a bit. I think having a doc that you trust is #1 priority and then you can be honest about anything. Its not like you\'re telling him you sell to little kids or something. I think we all have a right to use what works. For me I am headed back to the rat maze to see what will work. Lets both pray aboutit K?

hun if you are an addictive personality I would warn you away from most things besides air...lol. I am married to a saint of a woman whose mother was a heroin addict. I deal with addictive personalities on a daily basis (father give me strength...lol). Your nicotine withdrawal IS most likely your trigger right now. Don\'t get me wrong I loathe cigarettes but that nicotine is one of the most powerful and addictive nerve toxins ever found. Sudden drops in nic levels have caused people to commit horrible acts in the past. Causing a bi-polar reaction would not surprise me in the least. Be strong.

I have used pot also and it does help so much. I haven\'t done it in a while because I just do not know anyone who has it that would sell it. I did but I don\'t work at that job any longer and neither do they. I do use my meds. Of course I have to or I would probably not be here. My state also does not tolerate much pot. If it works do it. Of course not in front of your babies and make sure they eat but after the bills are taken care of then use the meds that works for you. Which happens to be pot. You could ask the dr but don\'t count on it. They usually disagree with the pot. My shrink didn\'t but my pdoc did. Good luck!

I smoke daily. If I didn't, right now, I think I would have a major breakdown...I'm already in the basement and I know Hell is the next stop. (By the way, since I live in Hell already, this shouldn't scare me, but it still does). I hope that you can find something to cope. When I smoke it relaxes me and keeps me from "freaking out". Some people says it makes them too paranoid, others love it. I am a lover of the green.

Ditto on your post for me Reality--- good stress releif for me!!!

Personally I've never tried it. I take traditional meds. A friend's son only smokes pot, no meds,no alcohol, and he seems to do fine....It's not for me though. If it has worked for you then I am happy for you. I see your bind right now. I am unemployed but if I had kids, I'd feel the same conflict you're feeling.

What works for you might not work for some. I know I tried once and I never want to revisit that state of mind again. BUT if it works do so in moderation, since being bipolar has it's tendency to have us be addicted to various substances. As long as you don't do anything else or hardcore.

First of all, mary jane is most assuredly a drug and the chemical it contains is called THC. Refusing to take the proper BP meds because they are "drugs" or "chemicals" is just plain assinine. You gave no reason other than they "lead to other things in my family". Have you ever heard of a gateway drug? That is what marijuana is considered. In other words it 'leads to other things'.

You seriously need to stop diluding yourself and try to look at real world options. BP meds are known to be successful, you will not be sent to jail for buying them, neither will your children end up in foster care, you will not feel like a "closet criminal" for asking your doc, and more than anything: you have a chance at real success.

This whole belief that by smoking pot you are somehow helping youself is a bunch of bullshit. THC is not shown to alter the brain chemistry in a way that is beneficial to BP's. My money would be on the pot being the reason you can't keep a job, not the BP.

It is a proven statistical fact that people who smoke dope are lethargic and have very little motivation to do much of anything. Why else do you think they prescribe it for those who have MS, cataracts, cancer etc? To ease their pain, relax their minds and help them let go of their current suffering.

Stop smoking pot, find a therapist, start working on some job skills training and take care of those kids. I have yet to meet a pot smoking mom who really interacts with her kids. You make me very angry to think you are on here bitching about how you can't afford pot when there are so many other options out there. Free options.

And before you even think of justifying yourself, here are my qualifications:
Single mom for 8 years
Recovering alcoholic and drug addict, daily pot smoker
Undiagnosed BP until I was 30. Symptomatic and suicidal at 11.

Bottom line: You won't get anywhere until you let go of the crutch. Let go and let the god of your understanding help you, without the pot.

As a consenting adult I think you should do what you want to. My concern if it was legalized is that kids and adolescents whose bodies and brains are still developing would have easier access to it. What kind of message are we sending to our children if we do it ourselves. As a psyche nurse I have only seen the negative affects of pot on patients. Mania induced by hallcinogens and depression from constant use. But you are a big boy so go for it.

you might not like it but jadebutterfly put it quite well

My suggestion... take this with a grain salt for lack of real medication, but, you need the right meds when you have a chem insufficiency. BD is is just that... so you need the right meds. Sorry to be so cut and dry.