“420 Friendly”

Whether you are someone who partakes regularly, abstains altogether or tried it a few times in college, marijuana is getting harder and harder to ignore. Some states have legalized it for medical purposes, NY included. I work with several clients prescribed marijuana for symptoms of PTSD, an anxiety disorder triggered by traumatic events. Other states and nations around the world continue to legalize cannabis as well as looking into potential health benefits of other forms of plant medicine such as Psilocybin, DMT, MDMA, Ketamine, Ayahuasca, and Ibogaine.

As a therapist, I neither judge nor encourage recreational marijuana use. One's decision to use the substance should be carefully evaluated against drug interactions, allergies, health issues and other potential risks. Never use substances while operating machinery or caring for another person. Signs of addiction or dependence include increased tensions or issues at work, in relationships, increased thoughts about how to obtain and when to use a substance. I ask my clients to listen to their bodies and if a substance is creating a negative reaction, avoid or minimize use. Marijuana has the potential to increase depression and anxiety for some. It is contraindicated for mood and perception disorders such as bipolar or schizoaffective disorder as well as those prone to paranoid thinking since the THC can make episodes of mania, paranoia or hallucinations worse.

That being said, studies continue to show evidence that medicinal marijuana and/or CBD can be part of a healthy wellness plan. CBD oil is often considered non-psychoactive and usually derived from hemp rather than marijuana, making it possible to be sold across the country. CBD has many of the positive effects of medicinal marijuana including: pain relief, reduction of anxiety and depression, a boost for our brain and heart health and assistance for individuals in treatment for certain cancers and immune disorders. It is important to note that CBD, like most supplements, is neither FDA approved nor regulated. Due to the illegality of marijuana on a federal level, please proceed with caution and do your due diligence when researching a new supplement.

Though not yet indicated in NY for Panic Disorder, marijuana is a significantly safer medication than benzodiazepines (i.e: Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) due to the lower risk of developing a physical dependence. Someone having sleep disturbance, panic attacks, reduced appetite and other anxiety symptoms may find relief from a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD medicinal dosage. I say “may", because for some, THC has an opposite effect, causing feelings of paranoia and irritability. Like most medication for mental health conditions, individual effects vary.

Marijuana and other plant medicines, have the potential to end the opoid epidemic and racist war on drugs, maybe even addiction period some scientists say. Someone very close to me died due to an opoid addiction, as are approximately 130 American every day. Early research has shown that states who have approved medicinal marijuana as well as recreational marijuana have seen a ~20% decrease in opoid related deaths. That ~20% could mean saving 26 lives PER DAY!! Pharmaceutical irresponsibility has gone on for too long in all of our communities to not give serious thought to other treatment options and social justice alternatives.

Further reading suggestions:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645246/full

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/culturally-speaking/202111/becoming-true-healer

https://maps.org/our-research/

Until next time, take good care of yourselves and one other ❤️