i was wondering if anybody knows why pot can set off anxiety attacks in some people?

Question

ive talked to many people who have that porblem and was wondering why it does taht! and if there is a way to stop the anxiety in that situation or not. i feel anxiety is a very intereting topic and i know MANY people who have it.

look. im not saying i do smoke pot or im a huge pothead or its even right or wrong. im wondering why it actually triggers that reaction in some people out of nowhere.

Answer 1

I'll try to give you a real answer, as most above seem sarcastic and juvenile. I'm 27 and have had anxiety for the last 9 years. I high school I was a pot head, high 24/7. I'm not trying to sound "cool", I could care less, but i was literally high all the time. After a few years of smoking I started to get the paranoid symptoms, so whoever above said that you must be a newbie is wrong, paranoia can become an effect of smoking pot at any time. The paranoia kept getting worse and worse until all of a sudden I just quit smoking cold turkey. Can you guess what happened then? The anxiety came on, and came on strong. Why? Don't know for sure.... Looking back I realize that during some of those paranoid episodes I was actually having panic attacks. I also think that smoking 'too much' pot stunted my emotional development, so when I quit smoking and the 'world that I created in my stoned haze' lifted, and thus I was back in the 'real world', I freaked the f' out. I think the paranoia started when I would smoke and not just be able to relax and enjoy it, I would be thinking about it too much, and how I was 'losing control' (just like a panic attack), and I'm a control freak so that doesn't help.
I've talked to a lot of people about this and know a few who had to stop smoking pot because of the paranoia, my mom is one of them and she smoked for a loooong time. Probably tends to happen more in analyitical people because it's hard for them to just 'let go'.... I have a bunch to discuss on this topic but I'll stop for now...

Answer 2

It really all depends what state of mind people are in at the time they smoke. Two possiblities: In the first, marijuana tends to exxagerate numerous physical and emotional sensations. If you are trying to hide some serious stress or nervousness, then smoking pot may bring these to a new level. Second, and much more common, marijuana is a drug and thereore its effects can often change somewhat depending on what other substances are in your system from narcotics to foods or drinks. Since marijuana is not legal we do not know really what substances should not be mixed with it. That being said, some people have a real fear about drugs but they smoke anyway because they've tried it once or many times and it's always been fine. The one time something else is in their system which causes the marijuana to have a different or stronger effect they might have a tendency to freak out a little. If your stoned and you start wondering if the pot is laced or if you got 'too' high, it can spiral to the point where you start to freak. Often, the key is just to relax and tell yourself that you'll be fine... of course, this is just a theory.

Answer 3

Well, it obviously effects everyone differently. However, Australian research conducted in 2002 showed that young people who used cannabis weekly were twice as likely to suffer depression or anxiety than non-users. For those who used cannabis daily, the likelihood of suffering depression or anxiety was much greater. But then again these people may just be self-medicating themselves because they are prone to anxiety. The best way to enjoy pot and not feel anxious is to smoke in a secure location (not a car) and only how much, if at all, you feel comfortable with.

Answer 4

Everyone reacts differently.
Some sleep, some laugh, some eat, and some have anxiety attacks.
It just depends on how the pot reacts with your own personal chemical makeup.
If you don't want an anxiety attack, either quit the pot, or at least try an anxiety med.

Answer 5

I think the weed can cause a panic attack due to paranoia in some and a lack of oxygen for others. To stop a panic attack I need to get in a quiet place and study on my breathing. I have these if I get too hot in the sun and take too long to get out og it and sometimes in stores and concerts. But , I been at it alot of years, I learned over the years.

Answer 6

The answer is quite simple, my dear. When one imbibes in the cannabis, one enters a state of heightened reality and sees things differently. All of a sudden, you realize that "wow, my boss is an azzzhole. My mom and dad are jerks. My neighbor is a mean dork. Barry Manilow sounds good. All of a sudden you are panic stricken. Next question.

Answer 7

Natural remedy to stop anxiety? Yeah, money, avoid bad people, and move away... Yoga and meditation might help if those other things aren't an option for you.

Answer 8

i used to smoke weed and when i did i would get anxiety attacks so i had to stop it just depends on the person the more i thought about it and how much i couldnt breath it would get worse i would just take deep breaths in a paper beg but the best thing to do is DONT SMOKE!!!!!

Answer 9

because pot is a hallucinogen type of drug like shrooms, but prob not as bad.

EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA:
Euphoric feeling; sense of well being; lack of motivation; talkativeness; mouth and throat feel dry; appetite increases ("munchies"); increased heart rate; and concentration, co-ordination and memory become impaired. Dangers range from schoolwork deterioration, "burn out", impaired sexual development, and damage to lungs. Long term use of the drug results in psychological dependence for the user. Marijuana is considered the "gateway drug," as casual users (of Marijuana) sometimes become abusers of harder drugs such as cocaine, LSD and other hallucinogens

Answer 10

not only can pot set off anxiety but you can get drug related schizophrenia.

apparently if you have a weak genetic link for mental disease then pot just exacerbates the problem and can get the whole thing started