Cannabis and medication question... [:)] [:)

[Hüsker Du]

I am currently
on a MAOI called seroquel. It's for my bipolar disorder and it's
supposed to control my moods and shit. I was wondering if I
smoke alot of weed (ALOT) would that effect my maoi and make
it not work? Fuck weed chills me out better than medication!
Anyways,<a href="http://www.seroquel.com/ " target="_blank"> click here if you
wanna read about my medication to better answer my
question. </a>
Thanx You ,
Hüsker Du </font></font></font>

[BA]

Take a look at this, I'll see if I can find more


http://www.drugs.com/xq/cfm/pageid_0...6A1.htm/type_m tm/tgid_38/bn_Marinol/qx/index.htm Edited by: BA

[Micklemouse]

Hi Husker! Weed and Quetiapine(Seroquel)'ll probably just make you very,very sleepy at best, but it may also override any benefit from the Seroquel. I've known a lot of people who,ve been prescribed Seroquel for bipolar and schizophrenia, and the majority of them have just got very fat and slept a lot, which is one way of controlling symptoms, I suppose! Out of interest, what dose are you on?

Weed and bipolar, however, aren't a good combination in my experience! I know a few people with well controlled bp who can smoke now and again with no ill effects, but they tend to stay away from hash and skunk, and stick to good ol' fashioned grass. These lucky few know themselves and their symptoms very well, having lived with bp for some time, and know when to cut down on the weed. Cannabis tends to heighten symptoms, especially the more paranoid ones, but also the grandiose and manic ones. In the short term it can provide a bit of relief, but when it starts to wear off, the negative symptoms kick back in, and so on, delaying for a while, but increasing the inevitability(and often severity) of an episode. Never underestimate cannabis - it's a powerful little substance with the potential to seriously mess with your head! Be very, very careful!

Btw, Seroquel is not a MAOI - it's an Atypical Antipsychotic (Major Tranquiliser in the States), related to the benzodiazepines. MAOI's are a class of antidepressant requiring a very strict diet, and as such are rarely prescribed(in the U.K. anyway). And speaking of antidepressants, if your doc wants to put you on effexor, ask for an alternative. Effexor has a tendency to send people with bp seriously manic, and not in a good way!

Hope this helps a bit, and best of luck! But be careful and keep your eyes open. Bipolar is a long learning process, finding what works and what doesn't, but if you're newly diagnosed I'd seriously recommend time away from recreational substances(even booze!) until you've got things under control. Spend time getting to know yourself and your meds, and look for support groups, on the Web and in your area. Take care of your Self!