Mary Jane & her friends

My brain chemistry is already fucked up. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder - Type 1 as a child and have to take psychotropic drugs to manage my mental state. Medical marijuana would allow me a natural means to manage my mental state in the same way as it has been proven in studies to be a safe, effective treatment for those suffering from Bipola

There has actually only been one published study done with regards to bipolar and the use of marijuana. And it did not show that it was "safe" only that it showed the potential to enhance neurocognitive performance. There were also only 50 people in the study.

""Results from our analysis suggest that subjects with bipolar disorder and history of (cannabis use) demonstrate significantly better neurocognitive performance, particularly on measures of attention, processing speed, and working memory. However, it is also possible that these findings may be due to the requirement for a certain level of cognitive function and related social skills in the acquisition of illicit drugs"

- So nothing in the study saying it actually positively impacts the participants experiences of bipolar disorder. In fact, the way its been conducted, the bipolar aspect is almost secondary.

Given the studies over the last several years showing an increased likelihood of psychosis, paranoia, increased experiences of anxiety and lowered levels of testosterone, it doesnt sound like its really a great idea.


Though it does have documented positive effects on pain and certain types of seizure disorders, I dont believe that it can be deemed "safe" for use with psychological disorders or imbalances.

My experience of mind altering substances was if using them, to use them quite occasionally... and by that I mean with breaks between; at intervals ie. sparingly. Otherwise I found the body just gets used to it and you either lose the effect or increase the dose to chase the diminishing returns. Then the increasing doses to get that old feeling is generally where the health impacts start to become more evident. Not to mention the risk of developing a chemical dependency or psychological habit, which varies depending on the substances. Why would I care, because it can easily seem 'better' and make normality seem sub-par. I'd advise to stay anchored in reality and if you must, only use them sparingly, and yes I do think its a gateway drug..... but if their is some real therapeutic benefit and it can be managed - kewl!!

Whilst I won't advocate breaking the laws of your state or country, I will say that I find the effects of a joint a lot less extreme in than a few alcoholic drinks. I think of the two as equivalent experiences, with different effects... you shouldn't drive while you're high, but it won't change your life forever or something. If you're curious, I say try it, but just a little bit. You feel something almost immediately, but it can take a little while to feel the full effect so it's very easy to have too much on your first go and pull a whitey . If you like it, try more.. just be careful

In the UK many tend to mix a little weed in with tobacco to make a joint, I know in the states it's more common to smoke it pure.

Personally I think there's a better case for cannabis to be legal than alcohol. I've seen the effects of long-term abuse of both, the difference is my pothead friends are still above ground. That said I wouldn't advocate legalising all drugs because some are complete crap and it's right to protect people from them in the same way it's right to protect people from falling to their death by putting barriers on bridges.

Edit - just reading a little more, it's not worth losing your girlfriend over (seriously, it's not). The feeling is a bit like when you're really tired and you get giggly and silly, and everything feels a little "lighter". That's it.

Renny wrote: Jestor what does thank you mean and why did you do it?
is it like a "like" on facebook. I have just been curious what the button is for, sorry for the off topic question.

RyuJin wrote: It's a multi-purpose button....can be used similar to like, or to thank, or show agreement, or appreciation for a statement.....and sometimes its just accidentally hit when trying to hit the quote button....

Yes...

I use it to "nod" my head in agreement....

Or "thank" a speaker/poster for contributing...

Or I may agree with some or all, of a post...

It can be confusing, lol, using it like I do...

But as you get to know me, I get more confusing, :lol:...

Jamie Stick wrote: Thing is, weed temporarily changes your perception of reality. It's mostly subtle and you generally just feel at ease like someone wrapped you in a nice big blanket, but at the same time you can't feel things as well. You may have to pee or it might just be an itch. You may have burned your hand while stoking a fire out camping or maybe that's just the feeling of your blood pulsating inside your skin.

Adder wrote: My experience of mind altering substances was if using them, to use them quite occasionally... and by that I mean with breaks between; at intervals ie. sparingly. Otherwise I found the body just gets used to it and you either lose the effect or increase the dose to chase the diminishing returns. Then the increasing doses to get that old feeling is generally where the health impacts start to become more evident. Not to mention the risk of developing a chemical dependency or psychological habit, which varies depending on the substances. Why would I care, because it can easily seem 'better' and make normality seem sub-par. I'd advise to stay anchored in reality and if you must, only use them sparingly,

Adder's post, I feel, responds to Jamie's....

I've smoked weed/crack/hash/coke/(pcp? something laced on a joint)

And I've tripped acid...

The point, said beautifully here, stay grounded....

When I did those drugs, I didn't mix them, I did them for the experience they provided...

And, I always had an inner monologue going, reminding myself I was in an altered state... That I needed to be aware that my perception is/was distorted....

And, I didn't partake many times too...

Sitting around, everyone smoking, and I'd pass, because I felt my head "wasn't right"..... Needed to "clear my head"... Most respected it, (I'm difficult to ignore, :lol:), even if they didn't understand it....

I even acted like a guide for my exwife and some others on their first time tripping...

Gotta watch for the rabbit holes...

Jamie Stick wrote: For the people around you, it can be frustrating if you're not yourself. It seems perfectly legit for your gf to want you to be the person she is interested rather than someone altered by marijuana. It sounds to me like she's become accustomed to her friend he's changed, but at the same time she enables him to practice bad coping skills (ignoring rather than addressing the emotional pain).

Yes, I meant to say this earlier...

Don't compare yourself to you smoker friend...

Sitting around all day getting high is "bad form" and just hiding from life...

You are a Jedi.... Act like it...

Jamie's other point about you being you now, and being different after smoking weed is true, but change is a part of growth...

A book, a song, a quote, a movie, a (Jedi) website can alter your perception too...

And, there is no "backing out of this rabbit hole...

Everything in moderation, a balance... I agree...
Although...
I get 'high' just being alive. :laugh:
Is being 'high' simply a state of mind?
I can observe something and be 'high' from it. Only you know your body best.
Sugar, coffee... Love... Stimulants... Life!
Shamans do not believe in being under the influence, Shamans are under the power of the plant.
This medicine is one of the oldest known. With massive misconceptions, leads to harsher drugs, makes you paranoid, etc...
No one has ever died from it. Not that this is an excuse or justification...
Do the positive health benefits outweigh the social stigma or negative effects? My own experience tells me the fear has been over sensationalized... Pharmaceuticals and oil companies are the culprits to demonizing this plant. Contributing and creating a black market, which results in unsubstantial risk... No real progress in the medical field, with the exception of a few case studies, which. most of the time, is seen by the mainstream as inconclusive....
Short term memory loss? Unfortunately, this effect is short term, and I have not been negatively affected by it. I see no problems with my memory, in fact, I seem to have a better memory than some... :whistle:
I have had more negative effects from prescription pills in a short time, than the long term effects of Marijuana use...

The CBD, in Marijuana strains has shown and proven to cure cancer.
Look into Rick Simpson, and Phoenix Tears... If interested.

Pm me if you would like to discuss this more. We all are conditioned one way or another, the difference is you have the power of freedom to think for yourself, and change whatever conditioning is unsuitable for you... To a certain extent... As long as you are a responsible person, of course.
As Alan Watts states on drug use:" Once you get the message, you hang up the phone."

Shamans refer to any plant exclusively as medicine, and are highly insulted when they are referred to as drugs, or used exlusively for recreation.

Most notably in Ayahuasca, Iboga , Peyote, etc, etc.

Marijuana has had alot of misconceptions, and outright lies put to it, current research has debunked many of them.

Also, again, it can be ingested in ways that do not harm the lungs.

In point of fact, there is one death so far attributed to Marijuana.

A guy transporting it had it fall on him ( it was alot) and he died.

Still, its outright silly it being illegal given that alcohol, something much more of a detriment to the body, as well as others is.

I would suggest doing the research, continue to communicate with your significant other, dont do it behind her back, and also in time, who knows, it may become legal in your area, haha. Then you only have one thing to worry about.

Also do the research in regards to Bipolar disorder and consumption of Marijuana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNLxoEz2tE4

I'm going to throw out another angle to consider. Make sure you know what product you're getting.

If your friend grows it himself, you are probably fine to try it if you so decide. However, being from California where the weed is notoriously potent, I would urge caution. Today's marijuana is not the "grass" from the '60's. Many strains have been engineered over generation after generation of plants to create different potency, flavors, and effects. See the movie "Pineapple Express" to get the idea.

You'll also find a number of laced varieties that combine marijuana with other elicit drugs including PCP, meth and cocaine. They have clever names like "Coco Puffs".

As with any other thing you put in your body, know the source. Otherwise you may find yourself STUPID high unintentionally. It's all about education and moderation.

Side notes: Yes, I've tried it. More than one flavor of it. No, I don't use it anymore. No, I don't care if others do. Yes, it should be legal.

#1 priority is to get a good strain that was grown/cured well. And the only way to guarantee that is to have a good friend do it for you, or do it yourself (after good research). Cannabis is like chicken: if it looks enormous at two weeks old and has been fed miraclegro its entire life, you simply do not want to consume it. The harvest needs to be timed, drying be just right, and the same goes for curing. The stuff you'll find on the street is likely pumped with chems, laced, nuked instead of dried for a long time, and not cured at all.

totjo has supported the full legalization of cannabis for some time now, although it no longer has a banner for it (it used to be bigger than the totjo logo).