What Happens When You Mix Weed and Antidepressants?

Marijuana or cannabis, also referred to as weed, is a psychoactive drug produced from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, is commonly smoked or is extracted, where the oil is burned at a high temperature and smoked. How does weed affect antidepressants? Antidepressants include many drug classes like SSRIs which are regularly used, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, and typical depressants like trazodone and bupropion. Weed and antidepressants combined can cause the body to not clean out the system of the chemicals quickly enough, which causes adverse side effects.

Smoking Weed and Taking Antidepressants

Cannabis can cause an intense relaxation sensation and help calm people’s nerves considerably. Weed is an antidepressant but is classed as a mind-altering drug. However, the supposed positive effects of marijuana can be reversed, especially if someone becomes addicted to smoking weed on antidepressants. Popularly used antidepressant drugs include Vibryd, Prozac, Effexor, and Paxil. Negative side effects of antidepressants alone can range from nausea and confusion to low blood pressure and short-term memory loss.

According to a study on weed and antidepressant interactions, anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common mental health conditions in children and adolescents. Youth with depression are twice as likely to report cannabis use, and data suggests that THC concentrations of CYP219-metabolized SSRIs increase the risk of concentration-related SSRI side effects.¹

Weed and SSRI

SSRIs, which are serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are commonly prescribed as antidepressants. Examples of SSRIs are Prozac and Paroxetine (Aropax). Since cannabis consumption decreases the rate of metabolism of an antidepressant drug, this increases its potency. However, there is still not an abundant amount of research on the effects of weed and antidepressant interaction. The potential cannabis interaction risk with SSRIs is too low to moderate. NDRIs or norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors also claim a low to moderate risk level compared to tricyclic antidepressants like doxepin and types of sedatives like Klonopin.

Cannabis and antidepressants can increase mental health disorder symptoms, especially if consumed at a high dose. Notability, CBD counteracts many of the negative impacts of THC and plays a significant role in combating anxiety and depression. Yet, weed mixed with any other form of the drug can cause cognitive decline, addiction, or long-term health issues.

Addiction Treatment at Our Detox in PA

At Clearbrook Pennsylvania Treatment Center, we offer detox for many types of drugs, such as alcohol, heroin, benzos, and cocaine addiction treatment. Often, women with children will use marijuana, antidepressants, or other drugs as a coping mechanism, but know that our facility also offers treatment for pregnant users. We have unique programs, including a veterans in recovery program and an alumni program. We want our patients to know that they have long-term support after treatment, and it doesn’t matter your circumstances because if you are facing addiction, we are here to help.

Our special programs and therapies ensure a safe and clean environment for our patients to undergo the recovery process. Please contact a specialist at our Pennsylvania addiction treatment center at 570-536-9621 and ask about our residential treatment to get started on the path to recovery today!

Source:

1. NCBI – The Impact of Marijuana on Antidepressant Treatment in Adolescents

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