Can Someone with Bipolar Disorder Use Marijuana?
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TL;DR: Marijuana and Bipolar Disorder
Some people with bipolar disorder use marijuana to cope with symptoms of mania or depression.
However, most research shows that cannabis can make symptoms worse.
It’s been shown in studies to worsen depression and increase the risk of mania. It may also trigger psychosis nad itnerefer with bipolar mood stabilizers.
Safer and healthier coping strategies include regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and therapy.
If you live with bipolar disorder, then you may be familiar with crushing lows that rob you of motivation and racing thoughts that flood your brain during mania. It can be hard to deal with these things sometimes.
If you are looking for relief from bipolar symptoms, it can be tempting to turn to cannabis. It might seem like it could take the edge off. It’s natural to wonder: Can someone with bipolar disorder use marijuana safely?
Some small studies suggest that cannabis may ease various symptoms of bipolar disorder, but most large-scale research indicates that this is often not true. In fact, the effects of marijuana may make bipolar symptoms worse.
Why Do People with Bipolar Disorder Turn to Marijuana?
There are many reasons why people with bipolar disorder use marijuana. For many people, marijuana provides temporary relief from issues like anxiety, lack of focus, inability to maintain attention and poor memory.
To Find Relief from Bipolar Symptoms
One of the biggest reasons why people turn to cannabis is the hope that it will help them manage symptoms. During periods of depression, a person with bipolar disorder may experience anxiety, sadness, low mood, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and even suicidal thoughts.
Contrasting the lows are periods of hypomania or mania. These may include euphoria, increased energy, insomnia, delusions, and impulsive or even reckless behavior. Racing thoughts leave no opportunity for peace of mind and drive unwanted behaviors. Experiencing either episode is distressing.
Using cannabis is seen as a way of taking the edge off or temporarily alleviating symptoms. It is tempting to believe that marijuana may promote calmness and relaxation and slow down racing thoughts or give you a boost during depression. However, most research does not support these perceptions. Rather, it worsens symptoms.
To Help With Sleep
Sleep can be one of the most difficult things about living with bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, it can be impossible to sleep. Insomnia is common even when mood is stable. When your thoughts refuse to rest, you may turn to marijuana as a way of calming your mind and helping with sleep. Certain strains, especially those high in CBD or with strong sedating effects, are often promoted as helping with sleep. While acute use of marijuana may temporarily help sleep, chronic use worsens it.
What the Research Really Says About Marijuana and Bipolar Disorder
The evidence is mixed, but the risks are real. There are a few studies that suggest cannabis use may reduce some bipolar disorder symptoms. However, what we know from research indicates that marijuana and bipolar disorder are not a good combination.
May Increase the Risk of a Substance Use Disorder
Cannabis use may start occasionally and then lead to serious bipolar substance abuse. Approximately 24% of people with bipolar disorder use marijuana or have a cannabis use disorder.
Can Trigger or Worsen Mania
An analysis of multiple studies on the link between cannabis use and mania found an association between cannabis use and increased symptoms of mania in people diagnosed with bipolar disorders. Marijuana mania occurs when manic symptoms worsen due to using marijuana.
All cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, a signaling system that regulates many of the body’s processes, including neurotransmitter production. THC may increase dopamine levels, which are already high when experiencing mania. This can make manic symptoms worse.
May Deepen Depressive Episodes
As a psychotic compound, THC may also interfere with the production of the mood-regulating neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, in a way that intensifies negative emotions. This could trigger or worsen depression.
May Interfere With Medications
Cannabis may interfere with bipolar disorder medications in a couple of ways. Cannabis may interfere with the medications typically prescribed for bipolar disorder, such as mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines. This disrupts medication effectiveness and increases the risk of relapse.
Worsens Overall Functioning
The Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute’s (ADAI) research found that marijuana use worsened bipolar episodes, psychotic symptoms and general functioning. Bipolar cannabis effects also include an increased number of suicide attempts and rapid cycling between mania and depressive episodes.
Can Trigger Psychotic Episodes
Marijuana can trigger hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms in people, especially those with bipolar disorder.
Interferes With Sleep
Using cannabis can make it even more challenging to get good sleep for several reasons. Marijuana can disrupt the natural circadian cycle, cause more awakenings at night and significantly increase the likelihood of insomnia.
Which Healthier Alternatives Support Mood Relief?
There are many ways to enjoy calming benefits without using cannabis and risking experiencing worse symptoms.
Establish a daily routine, including mealtimes and a sleep schedule. A daily routine is key in bipolar disorder management. That is because it helps stabilize moods.
Learn and practice calming routines like mindfulness and meditation.
Exercise regularly because exercise releases the natural dopamine neurotransmitters and endorphins, improving mood and reducing depressive symptoms.
Practice dance or yoga, which requires self-control of the body and mind.
Consistently attend talk therapy (psychotherapy) sessions as part of a bipolar disorder treatment plan.
Maintain a journal, which will help with insight into episodes.
Commit to regular therapy sessions and bipolar disorder treatments. Therapy can help you develop coping skills to better manage symptoms.
You deserve peace of mind and body, and there are safer and healthier ways to find it than by using marijuana.
Enjoy Life by Taking Control
Bipolar disorder is lifelong, but that only means you should take steps now to take control and enjoy life. Can someone with bipolar disorder use marijuana? Using marijuana or CBD products is not the answer. Instead, adopt healthier alternatives that improve mood and help you identify and manage patterns of bipolar episodes. Also, closely follow your doctor’s bipolar disorder treatment plan and take medications as prescribed. With a renewed focus on your lifestyle, you can enjoy life to its fullest.
Bipolar Disorder and Marijuana: FAQs
Here are some frequent questions that people ask about bipolar and marijuana.
Can smoking make bipolar worse?
Yes, smoking marijuana can make bipolar symptoms worse.
What marijuana is good for bipolar?
Studies have not found that any type of marijuana is helpful for bipolar disorder symptoms.
Does CBD help bipolar symptoms?
The research on CBD is limited. There isn’t enough research to recommend CBD as a therapy or treatment for bipolar disorder.
