Forum: Close to Home
Topic: depression verses addiction
Topic Posted by: jan morris (morrisl@ieighty.net )Date Posted: Mon Mar 30 0:07:45 1998
Topic Description: Do the levels of chemicals in the brain at time of addiction in any way resemble those of depression? Are they at all similar in makeup? Are any of the same drugs for depression used in addiction therapy? Does the brain after it is addicted resemble the depressed brain? Are healing therapies similar and in what ways?
Posted by: Hillary Baumann (hillb@erols.com )
Date posted: Wed Apr 1 18:50:33 1998
Subject: Mental Illness and Marijuana
Message:
I have been diagnosed as suffering from atypical depression as well as bipolar 2 disorder, and hypothyroidism. I have taken cocktails of anti depressants such as prozac and wellbutrin as well as synthetic thyroid hormones. Ironically I have found that what relieves my depression and helps me regulate the mania and mood swings associated with my illnesses is marijuana. AT the same time, marijuana use does not seem to interact with the prescribed medicines as alcohol does. WHile I am allergic to Valium and have not had any success with traditional anti-anxiety drugs, marijuana has had a calming and stabilizing influence on my moods. I am interested in whether anyone else has had a similar experience.
Following message