Cannabis as medication for anxiety?

[James Boelter]

Depends on strain and person really. Some report very negative results as their first time experience and form a lasting opinion on something they had no understanding of the "why" it happened. It the same as drinking Jack Daniels for your first alcoholic drink and having a terrible time and hang over, then forming the opinion that all alcohol is bad and evil (in some cases). The truth that the person stopped pursuing is that, in moderation, beer was delicious and pleasurable; but they'll never know that and keep telling everyone they know that it was terrible and should be banned, not touched, prayed against, etc..etc. EDIT: as evidenced by the posts below, they didn't even read this.. LOL

Sativa, yup.. that MAY drive you nuts with paranoid thoughts if you smoke it. Indica, is it's opposite sister strain which gives you the feeling of chill and relaxation. BOTH smoked in large (and I do mean large!) quantities can cause paranoia. Taking 1 puff or 2 of an Indica strain can relieve anxiety.

Here's one real issue: Other than getting cannabis in states that it is legalized (unless you know what you're looking at), you do not know which strain you are buying or smoking! You cannot possibly know what you are talking about when you report back to the general public about 'Satan's Cabbage.' Absolutely, uninformed and clueless.

Screaming, "Stay on your meds, cannabis is bad!" is really quite moronic. Yes, stay on your meds, if they work for you cannabis is NOT an ALTERNATIVE! However, did you guys actually read your meds? Do you know what they CAN do to you? So it's a little hypocritical to support one and down the other with no real information.

Now, it's traditionally taboo to speak of cannabis, but not meds used to stop anxiety...and to stop seizures.... (seems a little broad of a range to cover for 1 med) FACT: The anxiety use for Klonopin was an afterthought. I've read a lot of labels for medications suggested by my doctor and for the most part, they go something like this below.

Klonopin (for example
SIDE EFFECTS:
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
weak or shallow breathing;
unusual risk-taking behavior, no fear of danger;
unusual or involuntary eye movements;
pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding; or
new or worsening seizures.
drowsiness, dizziness, problems with thinking or memory;
tired feeling, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination;
slurred speech, drooling or dry mouth, sore gums;
runny or stuffy nose;
loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
blurred vision;
headache;
sleep problems (insomnia);
skin rash; or
weight changes.

REBOUND: Depending on how long you have taken Klonopin you could hallucinate and have seizures, even if you've never had them before. Paranoia is definitely present in my experience with Klonopin when trying to ween off of it. Others have reported worse when taken for years at a time.

Cannabis:
FEELING: paranoia that is short lasting with wrong strain or copious amounts ingested or inhaled.
Side effects: NONE.
Deaths: NONE.
Interactions with other drugs: NONE. (This is a VERY common misconception that cannabis "lands you in the hospital..", etc... NO, that's why there are no deaths associated with cannabis intake!! Let me go SPOCK on you all, "Logic clearly dictates that if no deaths were ever reported in association with cannabis, how can there be a drug interaction that is dangerous?" Do you know how many YEARS people have had access to cannabis? Answer: decades and yet not one associated death or drug interaction death. )
REBOUND: NONE.
ADDICTION: NONE. (Some people can form an addiction to anything psychologically, I know that argument so save it. )

If you don't understand by now, I cannot help you understand, no one can. I do however wish everyone the best! Yes, cannabis is illegal in most states, I am not promoting you break the law in any way or for you to start using cannabis, I am promoting INFORMATION to stop the ill thought out and highly inaccurate perceptions about our medicine options and what both sides of the story are like.