Posted by Cam W. on May 25, 2001, at 10:18:21
In reply to Re: Anxiety Sufferers, Smoked Pot Before ??, posted by Hopeful on May 25, 2001, at 7:09:41
http://www.panicattacks.com.au/
Hopeful - The people who run that site are not professionals, but informed consumers (it does seem to be a good site). What they are saying about marijuana (and LSD) is that they have been the trigger to set off panic attacks in those who are previously genetically predisposed. This theory has been around for quite a while, but, to my knowledge, has never been proven. I have seen cases of cannabis psychosis probably trigger an initial bipolar manic episode and perhaps be involved in first-break schizophrenia, but this is one factor (or stressor) of many and if there wasn't a genetic predisposition, I doubt that smoking marijuana would trigger anxiety or panic disorders with no predisposing factors (unless of course one was susceptible to the rare cannabis psychosis, of which I have only heard of a handful of cases).
Therefore, the marijuana doesn't cause the anxiety/panic, but is a trigger to bring out subthreshold cases of the disorders into full blown cases. Even if the marijuana didn't trigger the panic/anxiety, some other stressor in the future may. Those with a family history of anxiety/panic would be advised to avoid cannabis and LSD.
Hope this is of some help - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:64082
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64195.html