Marijuana and BPD

*Let me preface this thread by saying I am not starting this to be a debate on the legalities of marijuana. If you don't like talking about it or feel abhorantly against it then please do not post on this thread. I am starting this as a topic to discuss those that may use marijuana as a form of coping and how it affects them and their mental illness. I am not here to argue the legal/medical/social aspects of marijuana, but it's direct use by those with mental illness.*

About a year ago I was having extreme insomnia (I never sleep, but this was worse than usual). After having been perscribed Zopiclone i knew I had to find another way (it never works for me, tatses awful and i've gone so far as tripling the dose to try and sleep...not good).

I decided to try marijuana as I know from past use it makes me extremely sleepy. So I got some and it did the trick. As I continued deeper into my therapy and started unlocking some of my deeper triggers and illness related issues I was perscribed Citalopram. I now am on 40mg a day for depression, but it is not working as it should (I also believe that I need to change my meds based on an upcoming dx).

I've noticed that using marijuana has really given me an even keel to work with. It helps me sleep, it calms my mind (I suffer terrible mind-chatter and occasional voices), and it really abates my common everyday frustrations with the world. I am more approachable and more willing to talk with people.

I never use it to excess, I never operate a vehicle while using. My partner and I were talking about it and she says she has noticed a difference in my attitude since using it, I am calmer and a lot less likely to fly off in one of my rages. I am more open with her about my feelings and more cuddly (she loves that!).

I discussed these things with both my family doctor and psychologist and they both said if it isn't triggering you and is bringing you some stability in your normal everyday activities, then keep using. I am going to look into medicinal marijuana as an option for my ongoing treatment.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has tried using marijuana for mental health issues, and if so what are your stories. Bad? Good?

Thank you all for reading and showing this topic the respect I know you all will.

Hi. I'm new here so I hope this post survives moderation! There's nothing illegal in what I'm going to say so I hope it's ok.

I don't have a lot of experience with marijuana, but I did recently try it on a trip to Amsterdam (several times over a few days). I had always been pretty anti in the past, weirdly, but I guess people here know what it's like to have your opinions change dramatically, so...

Anyway, I have to say I really liked it. It took the edge off. I'm glad I don't live in Amsterdam because I think I could find myself liking it too much. It quietened down a part of me that won't normally switch off. I wasn't massively altered- it wasn't like alcohol- but I felt a bit more 'normal' and much more comfortable in my own skin. I'm glad I don't have any access to any right now because I have no concept of moderation, but I did like it and I do want to try more of it. The tales of people suffering psychosis from over-doing it on marijuana obviously worry me a bit too. Does anybody have any experience of that?

Beatrix Kiddo wrote:Hi. I'm new here so I hope this post survives moderation! There's nothing illegal in what I'm going to say so I hope it's ok.

I don't have a lot of experience with marijuana, but I did recently try it on a trip to Amsterdam (several times over a few days). I had always been pretty anti in the past, weirdly, but I guess people here know what it's like to have your opinions change dramatically, so...

Anyway, I have to say I really liked it. It took the edge off. I'm glad I don't live in Amsterdam because I think I could find myself liking it too much. It quietened down a part of me that won't normally switch off. I wasn't massively altered- it wasn't like alcohol- but I felt a bit more 'normal' and much more comfortable in my own skin. I'm glad I don't have any access to any right now because I have no concept of moderation, but I did like it and I do want to try more of it. The tales of people suffering psychosis from over-doing it on marijuana obviously worry me a bit too. Does anybody have any experience of that?

I've never experienced psychosis, but I moderate my intake extremely well. i'm not taking it for 'recreation', i take it for the mental health benefits it seems to provide me. I used to drink a LOT and that was to be numb and not aware, and it was getting dangerous. i got away from all booze. The MJ for me is now like a med, when I'm feeling really triggered, or having a rough patch, at night when I can't sleep I use it to 'normalize' myself some. But these are just my experiences.

Welcome to the forum and thank you for posting.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I tried it because I wanted to feel better and wanted to see if it would help with that, so it wasn't strictly recreational. I live in Britain, and medical marijuana doesn't exist here. I'm a bit vague on how the US system works but do you think you could qualify for medical MJ?

Beatrix Kiddo wrote:Sorry if I wasn't clear. I tried it because I wanted to feel better and wanted to see if it would help with that, so it wasn't strictly recreational. I live in Britain, and medical marijuana doesn't exist here. I'm a bit vague on how the US system works but do you think you could qualify for medical MJ?

I'm in Canada. It's harder for people suffering mental illness to qualify, but it can be done yes. It's still quite an underground thing.

Ah, whoops, sorry; I didn't know Canada also had an MM program. Good luck with it.

Honestly smoking marijuana makes me have insomnia, it always has.

out of all drugs i have dabbled in including acid, ketamine and ice... weed made me freak out the most. I don't know why we never get along except after a night on e's sometimes it would bring the peak back up otherwise i hated it.

Try xanax for sedatives lol

marijuana has in a way been a miracle drug for me... i just don't know how to keep it as a moderate thing. or just when i need to sleep or calm down...
the more i smoke, the less motivated i am to do anything- especially socialize. i become a hermit.

but when all is said and done... i <3 marijuana.

it makes me very paranoid.