Interactions of marijuana with different classes of antidepressants
About 10% percent of Americans smoke cannabis and 10% use antidepressants, so it stands to reason that millions of Americans would use both at the same time. Cannabis can affect the effect of different classes of antidepressants, some types of drugs used in psychiatry have little interaction with marijuana, while some would cause serious problems if used in tandem… Such a duo does not. is not naturally necessary, cannabis fights depression at the source, a fight it can fight alone ^^
Marijuana & psychotropic drugs
With cannabis people feel less stressed, more relaxed, and of course happier ^^ It is therefore predictable that people with depression are likely to use cannabis in tandem with prescription antidepressants. Despite years of research examining the links between cannabis use and psychiatric disorders, few rigorous studies have been published on this topic.
Robust research from Google Scholar and the National Institutes of Health have produced some relevant studies summarized at Leafly, analyzes strangely absent from the NIDA… To summarize the combination of marijuana with drugs of the “psychotropic” type, is according to the Psychotropic Medications and Substances of Abuse Interactions in Youth, a "chance" to increase the side effects and adverse effects suffered by the patient, although the study notes dangerous contraindications with certain classes of drugs. The harmful effects would result from the interaction between the antidepressant with marijuana (and not the other way around).
Tricyclic antidepressants
We find that in general, older antidepressants have rather bad effects, and are likely to be problematic if combined with cannabis. This is the case with tricyclic antidepressants, which have been shown in reports thatan interaction with cannabis could be deadly. We will find three types of activity in tricyclic antidepressants, in particular in the so-called molecules:
- Analgesics: amitriptyline
- Sedatives or anxiolytics: maprotiline, amoxapine
- Intermediate or psychotonic molecules: clomipramine, imipramine
Tricyclics are prescribed for endogenous (not caused by an external event) and severe depression. This kind of drug is contraindicated in diseases that cannabis can treat. In the list of conditions, we will find glaucoma, cardiac conduction disorders and epilepsy ...
Inhibitors MAOI
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) do not react negatively with the use of marijuana, but cause very negative interactions with other drugs. In the case of a trio with cannabis, the interactions can be dangerous ... MAOIs of the hydrazine class, such as Isocarboxazid, phenelzine are very restrictive because they interact with all foods rich in tyramine such as chocolate, beer, wine, smoked foods, fermented cheeses, organ meats, and bananas… Cigarette smoke contains MAOIs, slowing the degradation of dopamine, and thus supporting the addiction already present to nicotine.
Sedatives (and derivatives)
Although not classified as antidepressants, they are often prescribed to people with depression. Since cannabis itself is a sedative, the combination of both can cause drowsiness more or less extreme depending on the case .... Prescription sedatives include:
- Barbiturates phenobarbital, secobarbital etc.
Benzodiazepines and analogues lorazepam clonazepam etc.
Opiates, opioids / Morphine & derivatives: codeine, methadone, heroin, oxycodone, buprenorphine, Fentanyl
Antihistamines: doxylamine, atypical antipsychotics
Carbamates, Dialkylphenols, Pyrazolopyrimidines etc.
SSRIs, IRSN & NDRIs inhibitors
Other classes of antidepressants have milder interactions with marijuana, such as inhibitors selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of drugs that are known to be psychotropic. They work in the brain by increasing the level of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) The most prescribed SSRIs are:
- Fluoxetine: Prozac
Paroxetine: Deroxat, Divarius, Paxil;
Sertraline: Zoloft
Citalopram: Seropram, Celexa
Escitalopram oxalate: Seroplex, Cipralex
Dapoxetine (Priligy)
Fluvoxamine maleate (Floxyfral)
As well as indalpine (in); zimelidine etc ...
But there are very few reported cases mixing marijuana with Prozac, or Zoloft. Although isolated case studies suggest that both combined could cause hypermania in patients with bipolar disorder.
Which is characterized by persistent and generalized disinhibition, euphoric or irritable mood; thehypermania is generally less severe than a complete mania.
There are serotonin reuptake inhibitors non-selective like the :
- SNRIs: serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: duloxetine, venlafaxine
Inhibitors of serotonin reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine
Selective serotonin reuptake promoters: tianeptine (Stablon)
IRSN & NDRIs inhibitors do not seem to have any or little interaction with cannabis. It should be noted that although some antidepressants have much less negative interactions with marijuana. These same drugs have very different effects from one patient to another. Because of this, many doctors recommend that cannabis users refrain from tandem, while introducing a new antidepressant if necessary and temporarily to determine the appropriate dosage.
Single use of marijuana
Of all the effects of marijuana, drowsiness is the most famous, it goes without saying that the consumption of cannabis allows you to fall asleep quickly, while improving the quality of your sleep. But marijuana turned out to be just as effective to treat depression. By stimulating the production of chemicals responsible for a positive brain state of mind, cannabis fights depression at its source!
The versatility of marijuana as a medicine for a variety of ailments is incredible. And without the risk of suicide or other serious or annoying side effects such as loss or disturbances of sexual desire, hypermania, alcoholism, addiction etc ... Moreover, overdose of marijuana is impossible, no one is ever death from cannabis use!
Cannabis is just as effective as traditional medicines, and more. It stands to reason that a solitary prescription of marijuana would be more effective against the indicated depression. Especially as the safest alternative to antidepressants.
Comments are closed.