[medicalman]

Has anyone experienced de-realization when not medicated? In the past couple of days Ive felt "off". Everything around me seems just a little bit out of focus, a little dull. Its like Im not experiencing the world as "sharply" as I usually do. Ive heard of MJ bringing out latent psychosis but I just blew it off, now Im getting a little bit paranoid. For more info here is an in-depth description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization. Some of that is more severe than what Im experiencing but the general idea is the same. Like my senses are dulled and Im a little slower. I would love to hear your opinions because I have ceased medicating while I look at this issue.

P.S. This began the morning after medicating and its been about 2 days now. Im trying to figure out if Im imagining the fact that I saw everything clearer before.

[cali-misty]

Im not a doctor, and he is probably the best person to talk about this with. That being said I have an idea you may want to consider; I have studied some neurology and pharmacology, and what you are describing may be the result of downregulation. It occurs when one consumes a high level of neurotransmitor (in this case it is THC- which also effects other neurotransmitors) for a period of time that causes the brain to reduce the number of active receptor sites for the neurotransmitor (this is why you have to smoke more over time to get the same effect). Your body strives for homeostasis, and when you discontinue your intake, your body A.) has less chemicals than when you do smoke, and B.) is less receptive to the chemicals that are in a lower supply and C.) because it is running on what it percevies as too little neurotransmitor, does not opperate at peak potential. This is exactly what happens after the use of ecstacy (your brain dumps its seratonin in the receptor sites over and over, wearing them out, causeing them to become less responsive, then the next few days one feels like crap because they are 'runnning on low neurotransimitors'). It will take a little while for your receptor site to become active again; they will respond to the lower levels of chemicals in your brain, and become more senisitive. This is not the most scientific explanation, but it's early, and I have some pain right now that is preventing me from opening a book to give a more detailed answer :) What you are describing does not sound good at all, and I hope you get through this. Our brain is all we are, so take care of it! I hope this gives you something to think about, and you feel better- the derealization may be a symptom of the downregulation.
Good Luck,
CM

[medicalman]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. The good news is I havent been taking any ecstasy lol but the issue is a little concerning. I'll keep looking around but your answer does make sense. I have been depressed and irritable the last day or two and low seratonin levels would contribute to that, the reason I got a recommendation for MMJ in the first place was for mental disorders that revolve around the regulation of seratonin. Thanks again.

[cali-misty]

That really sucks my friend, I know where you are coming from. However, today is beautiful out! Maybe if you got over to the park, beach or even just a stroll through your hood would help alleviate some of your depressed feelings. Being outside can really do a lot for our affect. Im not sure if you can ride a bike or not, but you can not help but feel like a kid again rolling down the street on your bike. I have a big dorky helmet that makes me smile every time I put it on. Wishing you a better day!
CM

ps- I was not trying to imply you had done X, it was just an example of downregulation; the same thing happens with insulin and other chemicals in your noodle! Adios!

how do you know what im cooking my noodles in ?!?!?!?!

[BabyBoomer]

Great questions, medicalman, thank you.

And, cali-misty, are you sure you are not a doctor?

Great posts people - thank you.

Cyber Hugs,

BabyBoomer

[yogadude]

Hey there friend, hope you are feeling better. In my opinion using herb as medicine has unwanted side-effects just like any other medicine. Coughing, occassional headaches, sore throat, general irritation of the lungs,lethargy, mood-swings and a million other little things that I have experienced. The general fuzziness you are describing is a common thing for me and seems to happen when I over medicate (basically smoke too much), use low-grade meds or use meds that are inappropriate for my symptoms. It sounds like you got fuzzy 2 days ago after medicating and ever since then have felt the same way. It is hard to say if the meds are causing this fuzziness. You may have unintentionally worsened the symptoms by stopping medicating the day before yesterday. If you have been using MJ regularly then you have built up some tolerance/mild addiction in your body to the medication and may be experiencing some of the mild withdrawal symptoms that are common for long time MJ users. I know when I take a break from herb I definitely feel different about the world around me, sometimes things feel sharper and sometimes things feel fuzzier but after a couple of weeks things start feeling normal (whatever the hell 'normal' means!)

I would encourage you to not worry about any latent psychosis. As far as I can google, psychosis is a very broard term defining some sort of disconnection with reality. I would imagine that everybody experiences a disconnection with their own version of reality now and again. My instincts tell me that you are experiencing a natural emotional swing and will level out soon enough. If you dont start feeling better within a couple of weeks than I would imagine that you should seek professoinal help to get you over the hump.

peace

yoga

[tgb]

medicalman, I know what you mean.

I get just like that sometimes. Oddly enough I've been feeling it the past couple of days. The best solution I've come up with is just stop medicating for a little while, pain permitting. I try to exercise too, kind of "sweat out" the lethargy, and that definitely works. I also try to exercise my mind by doing things like reading books or solving programming problems (I'm a programmer). Then when I return to medicating, I switch my meds to something different.

This will pass, bro. Good luck.

[BabyBoomer]

Originally Posted by yogadude

Hey there friend, hope you are feeling better. In my opinion using herb as medicine has unwanted side-effects just like any other medicine. Coughing, occassional headaches, sore throat, general irritation of the lungs,lethargy, mood-swings and a million other little things that I have experienced. The general fuzziness you are describing is a common thing for me and seems to happen when I over medicate (basically smoke too much), use low-grade meds or use meds that are inappropriate for my symptoms. It sounds like you got fuzzy 2 days ago after medicating and ever since then have felt the same way. It is hard to say if the meds are causing this fuzziness. You may have unintentionally worsened the symptoms by stopping medicating the day before yesterday. If you have been using MJ regularly then you have built up some tolerance/mild addiction in your body to the medication and may be experiencing some of the mild withdrawal symptoms that are common for long time MJ users. I know when I take a break from herb I definitely feel different about the world around me, sometimes things feel sharper and sometimes things feel fuzzier but after a couple of weeks things start feeling normal (whatever the hell 'normal' means!)

I would encourage you to not worry about any latent psychosis. As far as I can google, psychosis is a very broard term defining some sort of disconnection with reality. I would imagine that everybody experiences a disconnection with their own version of reality now and again. My instincts tell me that you are experiencing a natural emotional swing and will level out soon enough. If you dont start feeling better within a couple of weeks than I would imagine that you should seek professoinal help to get you over the hump.

peace

yoga

Impressive post

and btw

Welcome yogadude

to the WT family =

You may want to post in the "Meet the WeedTRACKERs" forum so others will get a chance to welcome you as well.

I look forward to your future posts.

Cyber Hugs,

BabyBoomer


.

[tommyz1052]

sublingual cannabis can prevent some of those side effects.

As per de realization. This complaint is common amongst patient's taking SSRI's.

A hard concept to get across. But i have heard of this complaint.

I would consult your MD or pyschiatrist about it.

[medicalman]

Wow you are all right on the ball!

cali-misty: Thanks for the concern, I was actually at the beach 2 days ago and I spent most of the day outside walking around and reading yesterday. Also, I just got back from working out and a long run so Ive been thinking the exact same things haha.

lovethehash: lol :slaugh: thanks for the laugh.

BabyBoomer: Thanks for the compliment and I was thinkin the same thing about cali-misty!

yogadude: Welcome to WT and you hit it right on the nail, when I medicated I decided to medicate more than I usually do because I was just relaxing. Also, thanks for the comforting words on psychosis and "normality"

tgb: Im glad someone feels the same way I do. Also Im right on the same track as you and cali-misty, exercising the body and mind. Luckily my medical condition is mental, not physical (no pain) so discontinuing the medication is a viable option if Im feeling under the weather.

tommyz1052: All of these posts struck me as coincidental but when I saw yours I was really surprised. Im actually using MMJ because SSRI's were ineffective. Since both affect serotonin levels in the brain, Im not surprised that I would experience a side affect common with SSRI patients. Probably just overdid it and flooded the synapses. Thanks for the comment.

[Don]

Hi,

For a different and more esoteric possibility, google up 'What's Up On Planet Earth'.

But still, you might want to find out from a doctor savy with MMJ.

[tommyz1052]

Originally Posted by Don

Hi,

For a different and more esoteric possibility, google up 'What's Up On Planet Earth'.

But still, you might want to find out from a doctor savy with MMJ.

Even better he should get an opinion about his specific issue. Because things are not always what they appear.

Medicine is not like fixing cars or selling real estate. You want an honest opinion and sometimes several different ones.

Maybe he has a neurologic condition, or has had one for a while.

Cannabis is not the cure all for everything. And clearly there are people that do not derive any benefit from it.

If you want a referral to a neuro psychiatrist. PM me and i can put you in touch with one in particular who specializes in taking people off SSRI's ,panic/anxiety and personality disorders.

[BabyBoomer]

I'm not sure I am really clear on the issue of SSRI -

I take Zoloft 100 mg daily - does Cannabis interfere with it? Is it too much Serotonin? Or am I not understanding the statements?

And again, tommyz1052, thank you for all your wonderful information.

Cyber Hugs,

BabyBoomer





.

[tommyz1052]

volumes of books can be written on the subject matter.

In general they do not interact per se.

However patients have used cannabis to counteract some of the side effects of prescription drugs like Zoloft.

Zoloft has its place in medicine. But it can potentiate horrible insomnia. Many patients have told me they use MMJ to counteract this effect.