Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 3, 2003, at 9:17:27
In reply to Regular use of cannabis and anti-depressants, posted by Caleb462 on September 3, 2003, at 2:43:28
> I kind of doubt cannabis would have a negative effect on the changing in brain function in response to long-term anti-depressant therapy, but you never know... and I don't wanna screw anything up.
----------I've never seen any studies done on the topic either. Considering the acknowledgement by the medical community that depressives are more likely to smoke, it's kind of surprising.
Looking at the literature on the NIH site, most of the studies assert (roughly) that
1)Smoking pot is correlated to depression
2)People who smoke pot are more likely to do other drugs
3)ADHD types like to smoke pot.
None of these claims really surprise me. If you're depressed, you're less likely to care about any negative effects of pot, and if it makes you feel better, you'll probably do it. If you smoke pot, you probably have to buy it from a dealer. Dealers often sell other drugs, so it makes sense that some smokers will buy them as well (it's convenient), while those who aren't currently smoking (or doing hard drugs) don't have access to a dealer, and are less likely to use drugs. ADHD types are chronically bored, and will do plenty of 'deviant' activities to keep life interesting.
As far as addressing issues of concern to actual pot smokers, there just isn't much research. the only info I could find on drug interactions were several spot reports of potential issues involving tricyclics, one involving a manic episode occuring in a smoker on prozac, and one report concluding that Wellbutrin isn't a good drug for pot cessation.
Now, I've smoked for about 3 years while on various drugs (serzone/effexor/celexa/imipramine) and didn't have any problems. I also had periods of abstainence during that time in order to see if there was indeed any difference (usually 2 months), and found little change. That's just me, though. Plenty of other people on the board here will tell you that it gave them panic attacks, or whatnot. As a side note, I've quit once again at the request of my pdoc, and I'll probably stay off (with occasional exceptions). After a while, the novelty wears off some, and it's a kinda pricey habit. Keep your usage light, and you'll get the most benefit.
poster:Eddie Sylvano
thread:256567
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030902/msgs/256601.html