People suffering from both depression and an addiction should seek dual diagnosis treatment, which specializes in providing dual therapy sessions to assist people in recovering from both conditions simultaneously.
People usually smoke marijuana using hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or pipes and bongs, or blunts which have been hollowed out and filled with cannabis. Other ways of ingestion may include using vaporizers or drinking liquid marijuana extract.
SSRIs
SSRIs are among the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, and work by increasing brain serotonin levels. Serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter between nerve cells, and these medications prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed after its message has been delivered – thus making more serotonin available to pass messages between cells.
People typically notice improvement within four to six weeks of beginning an SSRI medication regimen, though if their depression symptoms don’t improve as expected their doctor might switch or increase dosage accordingly.
SSRIs aren’t addictive, but it is essential that they be taken exactly as prescribed by your physician and never skip multiple doses in a row; missing several can lead to discontinuation syndrome, with withdrawal-like symptoms. Also avoid mixing your SSRI with medications that increase serotonin production such as St John’s Wort and monoamine oxidase inhibitors like phenelzine (Nardil) or clomipramine (Anafranil). Too much serotonin accumulation can result in serotonin syndrome — with symptoms including racing heart rate, sweating profuseness, high fever and delirium among others.
SNRIs
Marijuana (commonly referred to as “weed”) is a psychoactive plant with chemical compounds that produce various effects, such as relaxation and euphoria. There are various methods available for using marijuana including smoking it or taking edible forms of it.
Physicians generally advise patients taking antidepressant medication to refrain from smoking cannabis while on an antidepressant regimen, as cannabis could potentially interfere with its efficacy. There may be exceptions; such as with certain atypical antidepressants.
SNRIs work similarly to SSRIs by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Common examples include Cymbalta, Pristiq and Fetzima. A physician will usually recommend these medicines for people suffering from depression or anxiety who have not responded well to other forms of treatment.
If a patient decides to consume cannabis while on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), this may increase their risk of serotonin syndrome due to decreased effectiveness of their medication. To limit any possible drug interactions and help ensure safety for use of medicinal marijuana.
MAOIs
MAOIs work by inhibiting monoamine oxidase activity and altering levels of neurotransmitters found in your brain and body, altering levels of neurotransmitters that provide messages between nerve cells for mood regulation and behavior control. Low levels of these neurotransmitters have been linked to depression; MAOIs may raise those levels and provide relief to many suffering from depression symptoms.
MAOIs may also cause side effects, including visual disturbances, low concentration of healthy blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) and an increased risk of drug interactions that lead to serotonin syndrome if taken with other antidepressants, pain medications or cold/allergy medicines; they may also increase the effectiveness of central nervous system depressants like sedatives and barbiturates.
MAOIs come with a boxed warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among some young people who take them, as well as potential interactions with certain foods and beverages containing tyramine; it is best to consult your physician as to which beverages may be safe while on MAOIs.
Atypical antidepressants
Marijuana (commonly referred to as weed or cannabis) is a psychoactive drug which can be consumed in various ways. These include smoking, vaping, making tea with it and food uses. Marijuana may also be mixed with other antidepressant medicines and cause adverse side effects as well as lessen its effectiveness.
Atypical antidepressants are a group of medications that don’t fit neatly into existing classes of antidepressants. These medicines work to treat depression by altering brain chemistry, usually after other therapies have failed or other conditions like fibromyalgia or anxiety disorders have surfaced. Examples of atypical antidepressants include Remeron (mirtazapine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion).
Anyone taking prescription medications, including marijuana, should inform their healthcare provider. Discuss any new or worsening symptoms with them as soon as they occur, particularly if considering suicide. Inquire with your health insurer as well regarding the cost and coverage for antidepressant medication.