Effects - Smoking and Anxiety..overcoming this??

[buddy4002]

Hello all,

New to the board and glad I found it, lots of great info..

Just wanting to get some peoples experience on overcoming anxiety while smoking or in general everyday life.

SWIM was a daily smoker for about 3 years. One night he was smoking and experienced the symptoms of a panic attack. SWIM had never felt this way before and struggled through the whole night debating if 911 should be called. After researching what happened and speaking with a doctor SWIM learned it was a typical panic attack (fast heart beat, shaking, palms sweating). After trying to smoke a couple times after that SWIM experienced the same symptoms and decided to take a 2 year break.

During this 2 year break SWIM's anxiety remained and had trouble falling to sleep because of panic attack fear and also some anxiety during the day. SWIM knows that marijuana can trigger an attack but knows that its not the only thing because he experiences anxiety daily. SWIM went to see a doctor lately and received a prescription for lorazepam which helps somewhat but only while on the medication.

Lately SWIM has been wanting to start smoking again and misses the fun he had when he smoked. After taking the break nothing changed and he wants that time again. SWIM has tried taking the daily lorazepam dose prescribed and then smoked an hour later with positive results, it kills SWIM to know that its all in his head and it should be something easy to overcome, however it doesn't seem so easy at the moment. SWIM would like to know if anyone has overcome this same situation and any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Cliffs:
1. Smoking caused SWIM first panic attack from nowhere
2. He takes a break
3. Gets help from doctor.
4. Wants to overcome anxiety after smoking and in general

[Woodman]

Originally Posted by buddy4002

Cliffs:
1. Smoking caused SWIM first panic attack from nowhere
2. He takes a break
3. Gets help from doctor.
4. Wants to overcome anxiety after smoking and in general

Friend,

In my experience, all drug use must come to an end.

YOU are the arbiter of your own health.

I say; if it's not fun anymore, then leave it.

If you cannot free yourself from it of your own volition, then please get help.

[Days Of Speed]

Originally Posted by Woodman

Friend,

In my experience, all drug use must come to an end.

YOU are the arbiter of your own health.

I say; if it's not fun anymore, then leave it.

If you cannot free yourself from it of your own volition, then please get help.

What this man said is so true.
I had a good innings on weed, at one time it was my best mate.
Then I too began to experience mild paranoia, but definite panic attacks.
Shit mate, weed fucked this sensible but fun man up.
If a drug doesn't agree with ye, knock it on the fucking head.

[Days Of Speed]

There's always another buzz to fill the gap.

[Hyperspaceblastoff]

my gf gets anxiety from ganja as well
she quit and she got better
not only smokes once a week
i would limit myself to once a weed, no more, sometimes less

[truth]

vaporizer maybe? different type of high. Clear headed, sativa like high even with indicas. Benzos.

SWIM has panic disorder and herb helps SWIM very much. It is mostly in the mind, once one learns to appreciate the other things instead of focusing on the paranoia. SWIM used to hate smoking because of the paranoia. Hate it. But he started smoking it so much and meditating on it, and doing deep breathing and learning the high. Understanding SWIMs self is most of it then accepting it and moving on. Its amazing once SWIM got past. Now SWIM has his cannabis card for his panic disorder and loves smoking. It relaxes him and is now better then any drug. SWIM has done many drugs since he was 14. Opium still is the best BUT herb second. Mixed its like heaven. Hope this helps.

[rainbowpup]

I am in the exact same situation, was about to post a thread!!! Smoked for 3 years then had a RANDOM panic attack, got scared shitless off of weed... Went to the doc and got some alprazolam.. tried again 3 weeks later, same deal... I took one of my pills (they only prescribed me .25 mg..!) and didn't do shit. I would have nightmares (how fucked is that) of smoking and wake up in a panic... It's been a year and a half and I still haven't smoked. I ate a brownie while back and I didn't have a panic attack but didn't feel super comfortable and I was paranoid. I quit all drugs after the first panic attack, I only drink now about once a week and smoke cigarettes when I drink. Now I was going to come on here and ask this question.

Tomorrow is 4/20 and I REALLY wanna smoke.. Does anyone think drinking before or taking my prescribed anxiety pills (alprazolam) before would help? Or both..? Not sure about combining alc. and the pills, I've heard mixed things and don't know how much is too much.. Someone have some advice for me?

[buddy4002]

Didn't see the additional responses until now, figured I would post an update.

SWIM decided to give smoking another go since his 2 year break. SWIM took 1mg of lorazepam before smoking again for the first time. After smoking SWIM felt great and just like he did before he had anxiety issues. SWIM has started smoking like he previously did and has been thinking about the anxiety issue hard and feels he is overcoming this. The first thing he did was to relax while smoking and appreciate it, and if SWIM does start to have that negative panic thought to just tell himself that its nothing and all in your head. SWIM told himself that he is really in no danger and all and this panic is over nothing, take a deep breath and look around and appreciate the setting and mood. SWIM smokes in the morning without taking lorazpepam and has been fine. And then at night will smoke heavily with his prescibed lorazepam. SWIM is beginning to relax alot more and just thinks things through when he begins to have negative thoughts or panic.

Rainbowpup, do not mix anxiety meds and alcohol, this combination is not a good thing.

[Ididnotinhale]

The only drug that swim can suggest trying is some type of benzo, that should help anxiety.
Also if it is really bad look at getting on some SSRI, a lot of the new SSRI work well for anxiety such as lexapro.
hope that helps

[gotabeer12]

I don't suggest looking for other drugs to take to enable smoking pot safely. I think if that's the case it's not worth it. But maybe SWIyou just needs to start smoking A LOT. If SWIyou start smoking all the time SWIM would imagine SWIyou would get so used to being high all the time that comfort would set in. Of course, this is risky advice... but that's how SWIM would approach it.

[Alicia]

this thread has been covered a number of times. it can be avoided. mostly its a mind set thing. the search engine can help you too. Set and setting, Time to heal, Patience, remembering someone is on something and the experience will end helps. failing that dont do it.

[sacredplant]

Hi, Im new here but have been using the site for years, sorry the post is so long, but i think it will help.

I had the same experience after 3 years of non stop smokin, It happened in the beggining of january of this year. A bunch of medicinal users I know went through the same thing also, the panic attacks came from the fact that I [and others] hadn't been doing enough to move forward in life or solve a particular problem [sometimes the reasons we were smoking to begin with].

What happens is some problems will get stuck in you {as energy} when you smoke, instead of when your sober and you vent a problem out or fix it {and the energy is released elsewhere}, when you smoke its masked inside of you b/c its not an upsetting issue to you anymore (but this doesnt mean it went away, you just dont notice it when u smoke).

[You can see how this is great for temporary little problems that will be fixed later anyways, like stress from a hard day that'll be gone in time after some relaxation anyways.]

But If you dont eventually deal with the problems (cuz ur smokin n u dont realize they needa be dealt with) they will eventually build up as energy inside you and need to get out so badly you'll have a panic attack creep up on you.

When your smokin regularily you tend to not do a hell of a lot, and a lot of your passions hobbies n life goals slip into the background, actually makin ur life a bit shittier so when your sober your life feels stagnant.

I know medicinal users who when they've been tokin regularily and stop they have panic attacks so bad they cant even talk or type on a keyboard. But once they gain more control in their life and re-examine their use or a particular problem they can go back fine without any problems. They usually find after stopping there was a major issue in their life that needed fixin or some attention, and they never noticed this b/c they were high n happy.

Regular smokers also need to take 5-HTP supplements b/c weed makes ya take longer to get into deep sleep, and the deep sleep and dreaming usually occurs right before you wake up rather than in the middle of your sleep cycle, and so you get less. Not getting enough deep sleep will cause you to have panic attacks as well for the same reason - b/c this is the time your brain sorts shit out.

My experience was truly awful, and my entire life was thrown upside down once I stopped but after a few days of 24/7 panic I did some intensive life examination (including mending relationships within my family) and spiritual therapy I was back to myslef better than iv ever been, and I can now use marijuana weekly without problems, but often wont use for months b/c I have no desire to.
A tip if you have really bad panic and anxiety lingering around is to take it slow, one step at a time, I spent a day or two just learning to be ok sitting watching tv sober, reassuring myself that everything was alright - being calm for a second and than a minute and then 5 minutes - notice your progress and being patient - Most of all be proud of your progress and pat yourself on the back for feeling ok for even a second - this is where family and friends are life savers, having someone around to talk to helped me a lot.


If your having panic attacks the plants telling you to stop for now b/c its not the right time, and sobriety needs your attention for some reason before smoking again. When you go back after figuring out what it was that needed your attention and dealing with it, it is always much more enjoyable, and no panic attacks YAY.

Reputation Comments on this post:

help and useful post.

[gotabeer12]

Originally Posted by sacredplant

Regular smokers also need to take 5-HTP supplements b/c weed makes ya take longer to get into deep sleep, and the deep sleep and dreaming usually occurs right before you wake up rather than in the middle of your sleep cycle, and so you get less. Not getting enough deep sleep will cause you to have panic attacks as well for the same reason - b/c this is the time your brain sorts shit out.

I was under the influence that weed promotes the deep sleep phase. I've always read it's the REM sleep that is heavily impacted from smoking.

[Alicia]

i think it depends even in heavy users referring to daily users not all of them present these symptoms they can do. but it makes me wonder what the diet is like to these people. ultimately if people want to let themselves get into these states then its up to them to stop.

Swia has found with her on when shes stops after a whiles uses she can get a bit shitty and somewhat distant however this is when she does not eat or not eat enough healthy things during her smoking days. when she does there is no anxiety at least not for her anyway when she stops. she does exercise daily as well. and not smoke constantly but still daily recently shes becoming really attached to bhangs. or canna milk..

[ejbot]

agreed with sacred plant, swim has found that smoking bud before sleep honestly messes with your head, because you're not able to dream as hard when sleeping blazed :P

[Aoffke]

SWIM experiences something quite similar:

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57147


Alcohol + Alprazolam together seem to nuke the anxiety, but the resulting intoxication makes SWIM quite dopey.

Alcohol and benzos are pretty safe to take together, as long as you take both in moderation. A fifth of vodka and a bottle of valium IS a bad idea. 3 or 4 drinks and .25-1mg of alprazolam won't be a problem.