Cannabis for anxiety & stress

[cenzo]

How good is cannabis as an anti-anxiety med? I suffer occassionally from anxiety/stress/insomnia from time to time and I hate it. Was prescribed Lexapro which stole my sex drive so went off it just as fast plus it never made me feel less anxious anyway.

To be honest only things that have worked is something like Oxycodone or Ambien though these can't really be taken during the day even though they actually make me feel happy. How would you use cannabis if you were treating yourself for anxiety/stress etc? Cheers

[CactusGumnut]

hey my doctor has put me on lexapro crap too, just wondering is it safe to just suddenly stop taking it? i mean i doesn't do crap all and the best thing i rkn is smoking marijuana for the anxiety. ive been taking it for about 6 months, and i really don't wanna waist money seeing the doctor cheers guys!

 

I would imagine the only reason it wouldn't be totally safe to just stop taking it (if you get genuine relief from cannabis alone) is if it's addictive, so I guess you need to find that out.

As others have said - Indica variates with high CBD content are what you're after for anxiety. It's very important as Sativa variates ~may~ increase anxiety. That's the complexity of this great plant.

[Samantha6]

I have generalized anxiety disorder and severe panic disorder, and neither antidepressants nor psychotherapy has significant effect relief. I have had severe "flooring" panic attacks for about three years now, and before there was no proper relief for them. I just had to go through them. I've found that back massage and sex are adequate for relief, but not always enough.

 

After I started using marijuana medically, I've found that stoney indicia containing breeds produce an instant relief to my anxiety, and it makes me relaxed and happy. It also releaves my chronic muscle tension and my temporary depression. When a panic attack strikes me, I can just take it up and the attack is gone. My opinion is that marijuana is the best medicine to anxiety!

 

Note that when starting to smoke, you should think that it's going to help. If you're afraid of its effects, they might accelerate. Remember that marijuana's effects are individual and for some people this might not work.

 

I haven't yet analyzed the effects of sativa high towards anxiety, but I’m about to.

[adam2893]

Harlequin being the Best! (in advance i apologise if this link is not allowed, however i do feel it is appropriate) http://budgenius.com/Harlequin-Altitude-Organic-BG0010001EB82.html

 

Is this available in Australia?

[nugget]

hey my doctor has put me on lexapro crap too, just wondering is it safe to just suddenly stop taking it? i mean i doesn't do crap all and the best thing i rkn is smoking marijuana for the anxiety. ive been taking it for about 6 months, and i really don't wanna waist money seeing the doctor cheers guys!

 

You're supposed to taper off them, even though Lexapro are one of the 'milder' SSRI's.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ssri_discontinuation_syndrome

 

 

[jabez]

Indica dominant cannabis is best for stress, anxiety and insomnia ....

 

 

I suppose everyones different, but imo, your completely wrong about hard hitting indicas being good for treating anxiety, or any other mental illness for that matter.

 

Smoking large amounts of a potent indica dominated strain will couch lock ya and leave you unmotivated and even sometimes anti-social. Eventually you’ll end up with a body that’s got heaps of stored energy it wants to burn, yet your mind won’t have the motivation to burn it. Which will end up making your anxiety worse in the end, kind of like benzodiazepines tend to do.

 

Indicas are obviously awesome for pain relief or as a sleep aid. But if you’re going to be smoking though the day to treat anxiety, what you really want is a good quality pure sativa (preferably something hazey). Good quality sativas usually have more of a social and inspirational effect, which will help you maintain a positive prospective about life and yourself, which will help build confidence. Confidence and a positive prospective is the key to getting over anxiety, imo.

 

Peace

[8 foot sativa]

if you ever get around to growing your own med grade cannabis, grow Northern lights #5!!! i suffer from all the problem you have plus a bit of arthiritis every now and then and this stuff helps me deal with the pain and send me to sleep like a baby

[mimjess]

http://www.amnesiaseeds.com/products/Brainstorm-Feminised-Seeds.html

 

can anyone please tell me if this is the "Northern lights #5" 8 foot sativa's above post mentioned.

 

Thank you very much,

mim

[jabez]

Honestly mim, do you really think it matters to you? Either way, you will not be complaining about the quality of the strain in your link.

 

Peace

[mimjess]

Yes, it's true that I can't tell the difference at this stage but if i am thinking of buying the seeds and grow my own, shouldn't I try to get the right one?

[jabez]

What I meant to say is it looks like a very nice strain and I doubt anyone would complain about the quality. Although at the end of the day lets face it, all strains of cannabis make life better. I'd reccomend you went with skunk #1, it's a very forgiving plant and the results are decent.

 

Peace