Can Weed Make Dissociation Worse?

[Deleted member 24866]

No I am not angry.. why would I be. Just saying it works it is my personal belief and supported by therapists. And I am not the professional who wrote the book so clearly I am not the only one. My recovery is in my hands as..as yours is your own. Believe what you want. I just wanted to thoroughly answer the question. Its my right to feel and believe how I want with my group of therapists and I have no regrets.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

Cannabis is categorised under being a dissociative drug. It can also cause long-term dissociative disorders as a side-effect, in fact almost every case of depersonalisation and derealisation disorder I've read about that hasn't been related to trauma (and usually child-trauma) have been related to the use of cannabis. Personally I don't know why people take it for PTSD as it can not only worsen dissociation but also more commonly paranoia and anxiety, though it must help some as many do choose to take it. It's just not for me I'm afraid, maybe in another lifetime but in this one it has far too many negative connotations for me.

 

[rainy_daze]

I'm a bit confused. Are some people suffering from PTSD being treated with cannabis in some part of the USA? As an alternative to anti depressants?

IMHO, yes, it can make dissociation worse. It can add to psychosis.

@ggsparky are you discussing any of this with a therapist or psych? I realise that isn't your topic, but I think it's important to discuss some of that as it doesn't sound like this drug is making things good for you, at all. Again, that's just my honest opinion though. You can chose to disregard it if you want.

I wish you all the best in figuring this out, it sounds like a scary state to be in.

 

[Hashi]

What ever Hashi

?

save your anger for where its appropriate and stop projecting on me.

Please clarify.

I think you're projecting your ideas about weed onto Carl Jung. If you have any evidence that he shared your views about weed, please provide it.

If you have any evidence that I'm angry or projecting, please provide that.

Otherwise, please don't say things you can't support.

Waiting with interest for your evidence.

 

[Hashi]

I'd like to add - for context - that Carl Jung's ideas are very important to me. I've studied them for about six years, and I saw a therapist who uses Jungian approaches for about two years. Both have really helped me heal from trauma and PTSD.

You could say I have an interest in Carl Jung's ideas.

Just saying it works it is my personal belief and supported by therapists.

Jung saying what works? The shadow? Or marijuana?

How do you know? You said:

I have been meaning to check out this book: "Confrontation with the unconscious" by Scott Hill (Jungian Depth Psychology and Psychedelic Experience). Not that I have any interest in anything beyond marijuana.

 

[Notsowild]

@rainy_daze said
I'm a bit confused. Are some people suffering from PTSD being treated with cannabis in some part of the USA? As an alternative to anti depressant

Here's an article about marijauna

A state official has reluctantly added post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijauna

PTSD is considered a mental health condition linked to a terrifying event. Since Michigan voters approved it in 2008, marijuana typically has been used to relieve the side effects of cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C and a few other conditions. PTSD is the first condition to be added to the original list, although seven other states allow doctors to recommend marijuana to treat the disorder.

 

[Deleted member 24866]

@Hashi Thank you so much for your sense of humor.lol, and clarity. No I am just at a place where I am really getting into and inspired from some of Carl Jungs ideas. I should say the LITTLE I have absorbed and had the chance to be exposed to- has made me look at things in such a new light. With both the application and analysis.. as well as stumbling onto some of his theories through trial and error it has really helped me to begin to understand my mind.

I am certain I have PTSD, but it is yet unclear and to be diagnosed through new testing if there is also something else going on. But I have accepted my condition for years just through time come to recognize the patterns of what has occurred and thankfully things are going really well.

I apologize in the delay as I was at work, and also apologize I said things in a manner that was unclear.
For me I can attest that marijuana assists to invoke dissociative states.. there by gaining somehow more control as to when said episode would occur. As they no longer seem to happen at all apart from my choice to open and close the door. I have become more sensitive as to when I need more time for processing, and thus seem to be managing my illness far better while doing some memory work.

I am sorry if you feel I stepped on your or Mr Jungs toes.. I offer the utmost respect and apology, and look forward to learning more.

 

[rainy_daze]

@Notsowild Thank you for the explanation. I assume it gets the same amount of monitoring as other medications would, with a psychiatrist, and a specified dosage level. There ain't no chance that they'd prescribe it in the UK, as it is illegal here, meaning they probably wouldn't be doing any research into the efficacy of it as a treatment for PTSD either. I'm quite interested that a substance can be prescribed for a disorder that can sometimes go hand-in-hand with substance abuse, and assume people who are prescribed it aren't people who fall into the category of having drug abuse issues?

@Hashi , I do admire how much you love Jung [and his ideas]. It's always nice to read the things that have inspired and helped others. I've seen you mention him a few times on threads, :tup:.

t's like I got to confront my dissociate state I've been in since I was a kid. And now wen I dissociate I'm aware that I'm dissociating. And it's not unknown to me.

Another couple of questions @ggsparky , how has cannabis helped you confront your dissociation? Do you think when your mood is elevated, it's easier to understand?

 

[Janie123]

I was using Sativa regularly when my panic attacks were really bad, and it helped my mind relax enough to be able to process what I was feeling instead of being overwhelmed.

I got some Indica by accident a couple of times and the experience was very different. The body stone took me out of my head (where I could process) and right into my body (which stores a lot of bad stuff). I had a couple of disassociate episodes and minor flashbacks when I was high on Indica.

I recall that before my trauma, I had too much Indica too fast a few times and experienced some of the dissociation you describe. Since I didn't also have flashback and was in safe supportive environments, I actually thought it was kind of fun, but really weird!

So i would say try some Sativa. If the pot is for pain control or sleep, that is NOT the strain you want. Also, don't smoke too much at once. A few puffs at first, see how you are doing, take a little more when the high starts to wear off. Too much at once, especially when tolerance is low, can make anyone giddy, and is very likely to trigger dissociation.

 

[Lucycat]

If by smoking it I can consciously invoke a dissociative state for self analysis and even parts work- painlessly. Its a heck of a lot better than being a slave to when it needs to pop out.

Can you explain this further? I do not understand how you can self analyse whilst dissociated. For me, dissociation means 'zoning out', 'numb' , 'blank' and 'unable to think'. At these times I am unable to do anything, certainly not something as complex as looking into myself and my brain/mind.

I can understand using cannabis to obtain respite or relaxation ( although would never do so - even if it were legal here)

There ain't no chance that they'd prescribe it in the UK, as it is illegal here, meaning they probably wouldn't be doing any research into the efficacy of it as a treatment for PTSD either

It is used - cautiously - here for people who meet a certain criteria with Multiple Sclerosis. My aunt was offered it, by her doctor, but declined because she was concerned about the stigma of using it!

I agree though that I think it is unlikely to have UK trials for PTSD when it is well documented to cause paranoia ( Just look at the Jeremy Kyle Show...!)

 

[rainy_daze]

I think Jeremy Kyle should smoke some to calm him down. My opinion of him, rightly or wrongly, is that he is an angry person. Some cannabis might help him to stop berating young teenage mothers to the point they end up in tears. I've only seen the show a few times, it's so painful to watch :sick:.

@Lucycat , this is what dissociation is for me too. My partner says I'm zoning out a lot recently. It's like I know I'm in the room, but then I go somewhere else, and when my partner gets my attention I realise I've been somewhere else. I can tell how long I've not been paying attention to the surroundings if we're watching TV together, because I can rewind and know where I tuned out. It's a lot more difficult when you're in the middle of doing something, and you don't know how much time you've lost, for example when I'm sitting in a class for my course or I'm tidying a room. You lose your surroundings or attention in the present. Like when my T is talking and I'm aware that she is, but I can't hear the words. Then you're back in the room and you can say, sorry, I could hear you talking but I didn't know what you were saying because I'd floated away.

I'm surprised about cannabis being used here for MS, Lucycat, but thank you for letting me know. I have heard MS sufferers use it for pain, but had always assumed it was in other countries, or sufferers here were taking it without prescription. I still find it highly unlikely they would ever give anyone suffering from mental illness here a prescription though. Unless we have a radical overhaul of the way we treat patients, and an attitude shift (like you said about your aunt feeling there was stigma attached, even if she had been offered it by a doctor).

I guess I'd always assumed the benefits of using cannabis for PTSD would be about mood and sleep, rather than helpful for dissociation. Like you said here

after smoking weed for the past few days I feel different. A good different. ... Maybe weed does help or I just having a good few days

and justmehere

I think that if someone is using weed to just escape PTSD, then it's probably not going to work out well long term.

My concern is that it would make you zone out more, and if not monitored, that it could become a substance abuse problem. I hope I'm not coming across as judgemental, I'm trying to understand exactly how it has helped you ggs, while also cautioning you because I think it is appropriate to do so. I can't see my T or the psychiatrist recommending I smoke cannabis, so maybe that's the frame of reference I'm coming from.

 

[Deleted member 24866]

Promise I'll be back to explain my experience.. just caught me at a very busy time. Interesting read and topic..