Mitch, weed doesn't induce psychosis, but it does induce intense anxiety in those prone to anxiety. Remember, psychosis is a different animal than even the most intense anxiety. You're right about weed being laced sometimes, but usually it's pcp, not lsd. Many many years ago I had that experience. But Greenlydia is right, weed today has been bred to be all flower tops, it's incredibly strong compared to what grows naturally without hybridization. My experience is that weed makes what you're like more intense, so if you're an anxious person, even if you don't know it yet, it will make you more anxious. But it's also, fortunately, easy to quit.
Codejane -- what you experienced when you were stoned is very common, and for many is why they smoke. It's pleasant when it's pleasant, but you've learned weed isn't for you. But try not to dwell on the experience -- I know that's hard, but it really is what weed does to people, so you had a very normal experience. It just wasn't a good one for you, nor would weed be a good thing for almost anyone on an anxiety board. Just my opinion, I haven't seen any in nearly thirty years.
Hey, Greenlydia, miss that old normal weed. It was fun. Stupid yuppies had to go and ruin it.
Weed can certainly induce pycosis and anxiety, I know a girl who had a similar reaction to what tigereyedjames mentioned above, however it lasted a week, and it is certainly due to some of the new techniques used to make weed stronger and due to some of the things weed can now be laced with, for example weed can be laced with LSD.
Ok...ready for this...
last year, I was going to a concert, and a friend offered me a weed cookie...I hadn't smoked weed in a while (never really liked the stuff, never responded to it too well) and off we went to the concert...
Now, first off, I have to say that any feelings of anxiousness I have ever had before, before the situation I am currently in, were set off by being in huge crowds of people, concerts being one of the worst (which, being a big music lover, always *****!)
So about an hour later, we are at the concert, and BANG out of nowhere, I had the most intense high I had ever had, and it came on INSTANTLY...I had the most bizarre sensations...no spatial relations, meaning one second the person standing next to me seemed right next to me and the next they seemed out of arms length, I would do something and immediately not realize if I actually did it or dreamed I did it...
Then, I started to think I was going insane, and began to panic...
After a very long night, I went to sleep thinking I would wake up sober, but instead I awoke after only a few hours, my thoughts racing, still out of it...
This lasted for 72 hours.
I was terrified it was never going to end, bu thankfully, by the end of the third day, my thoughts were a little clearer, and it gave me the confidence I would be alright, and the next day I was 90% better...
It took me a long time to realize that the drug, and the potency it had on my system, combined with me personal reaction to it, cause a drug-induced anxiety attack...
That was a year ago...I had recovered from the actual incident, but it was always in the back of my mind...
Then, weeks ago I had my first panic attack, and have been suffering from anxiety/thoughts of anxiety 24/7. I have been told by my therapist that I might be what is referred to as a "strong responder". which means that something in my body or brain has a strong, violent reaction to both chemical changes in my body, and my concious reaction to those changes...
Therapy is definitely going to help. You need to take the first step in getting out of this.
Yes, you will feel normal again. =)
I always ask myself that question when I'm going through anxiety... and I look back in my journal, and every time I look back, it reminds me that "yes, i will get through this and feel normal again!"
And with anxiety... it's always a mystery I think. At least it is with me.
I had a bad high once when I was younger... and it caused me to start having panic attacks when I just smelled the smell of weed. This was a trigger for my panic attacks.
I do have spells still, obviously... but im heading to the dr. today to get a little extra help. probably get back on the lexapro... and it helps clear my mind... so i can not be so irrational about certain thoughts.
Good luck, hang in there! You will feel normal again! =)
Weed these days is so incredibly potent..........it's scary compared to the Mexican "giggle weed" of my day.
You smoked this two years ago and have been suffering with anxiety and panic attacks ever since! Did it never cross your mind to get some therapy for what was happening to you? You say you're on medication now which "calms" you down a little. Who prescribed this for you........and why? What symptoms did you tell them about? Did you tell them about your pot experience and that these attacks had been with you ever since? Or is that your little "secret?"
The pills are obviously helping you calm down a l little, and that's good, but what are you planing to do about the REAL issue? It's not, apparently, going away, so YOU are going to have to take the bull by the horns and MAKE it go away! Which means getting into therapy and figuring out what monsters this weed let out of your closet.
There is some controversy that an underlying anxiety problem can be exacerbated by smoking pot and that may be something you need to discuss with your therapist.
All of that is totally out of my league to discuss. What I do know is that you need some help since you've been dealing with this for two years. It's time to regain control and for that, you need therapy.
You WILL be, and you WILL feel, normal again! But you WILL need some help to get there.
I understand your fear more than you know.
Find a good therapist and get on with your life!
Peace
Greenlydia