Avoiding Paranoia and Anxiety or Enhanced MJ Enjoyment

scott06

There has been lot’s written and said when it comes to MJ and paranoia or anxiety…Of course I have no idea about the objective truth when it comes to this matter, but like everyone else I have my personal experiences. Recent events have given me some cause to reflect on these experiences and try to come up with some organizational concepts that seem helpful to me…Many years ago I stopped using MJ because of frequent paranoia. Now it seems that it happens very rarely, though once in a great while it can still become a problem. Perhaps others can follow this post up and we may benefit from each others view on this subject.

First is what I think is the most helpful conception (not original to me) about MJ use and Anxiety. This concept is called “Set and Setting”. Basically it advises the user to consider their mood or mind-set, and the place of use. This seems obvious enough but is often overlooked. I think set and setting can be used effectively using asking yourself two questions; 1. What kinds of thoughts, energies, emotions am I feeling both on the surface and more deeply? 2. Where I to use MJ in this place or setting would it be a safe comfortable place to savor the effects of MJ? The hard part is remembering to do this before smoking…if I neglect to address set and setting it is much more likely that unexpected feeling of worry or concern may ensue. Good vibes perpetuate themselves and bad vibes…well you know

A second helpful concept is “life management”…no small task. For me it works like this. If I am doing a decent job taking care of (as best I can) all the important roles and function I have…you know, work, family, finances, etc….then MJ use is much more fun and less likely to provoke anxiety. Don’t get me wrong…I (like everyone else) am never caught up with everything, and there are always some kind of issues and emergencies…but if I am feeling like I am making an honest attempt to follow through on the things I think are important and valuable…then MJ use is more of an enhancement rather than a way to get away from things…and if I use MJ to try to get away from concerns it seems that those concerns sneak back in as paranoia or anxiety…

The third issue is being both honest with myself and aware of the legal risk MJ still involves for most users. How much do I have in my house, who knows about it, what could be noticed, is my use wisely concealed as much as possible, and what real consequences could follow…likely or not, have I eliminated or reduce all the risks as best I can? Not a very pleasant subject, but again if I don’t consider these issues carefully straight, then unpleasant worry has a way of sneaking in.

Does strain matter? Not at all in my experience…at least insignificantly compared to these other factors. I have worked with this issue with my wife as well…who deals with anxiety issues sans MJ. She has started working with the idea of set and setting and have found her occasional use of MJ much more enjoyable. For me most of this comes down to the legal aspect of use and cultivation and how they can impact me and my loved ones.
But even if it were perfectly legal I would still have to deal with the other concepts I mentioned to really ensure that MJ use and cultivation is a joyful addition to my life, and not a source of difficulty.

MJ can be fun, euphoric, relaxing, and stimulating. Give it it’s due…and be kind to yourself by thinking about what wise use would look like for you (apologies for the unsolicited advice)

So what do you think…are there other thoughts about this subject that might be helpful to other members…or interesting…or just musings you want to share….if so please share…

GP it seems is one of the few places I can share these thoughts with other MJ enthusiast in a fairly risk free venue.

Kieahtoka

I've had my share of 'freak outs' while smoking in an unfamiliar environment, but only if something enexpected were to happen. You're right that it comes down to what worries you about the place and people you are smoking around. It also is a part of who you are, and what your specific brain chemistry is like. Everyone's neurotransmitting chemicals are balanced differently. so everyone can have different experiences on MJ.

I've been diagnosed with anxiety which affects me whenever I am in unfamiliar surroundings. The odd thing is that when I am in those surroundings, mj use helps me relax rather than make me more worried. Probably because I am looking forward to the worries floating away in a puff of smoke. However, say that I am worried about having to go back home high, to a loved one who doesn't accept my use. I can disregard it beforehand, but then if the thought occurs, I worry about it until something else can catch my attention. I dont worry about the current situation, just about the "what ifs" later on. I am even able to handle an unexpected situation better when I am high rather than sober.

My mother on the other hand is the opposite. I've smoked once with her, and after one rip of the bong, within 30 seconds she was worried she was having a heart attack. She didn't care whatsoever about even 5 minutes into the future, just about what was happening right then. Apparently it's always been that way with her.

So, it really does depend on the person, which is why I agree with a saying I see on erowid very frequently:"know your body, know your mind, know your substance, know your source.

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4kaan4

Hey scott06,

The third point you make is the "hits home" one for me. If others around me are being rather careless I get REAL sweaty REAL quick!! I don't even smoke in my own place in the woods without the curtains drawn!! I've always had the attitude that a careful user is a free user. I avoid at all costs anybody that cannot be bothered to take care to keep it out of sight, because all it takes is one careless puff and you're dry for YEARS!!

Later,
4kaan4

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willtrib

Just cause I'm Paranoid
doesn't mean there not out to get me !
tehe...but fo'real I embrace my Paranoia. For me it is like a heightened state of Consciousness, & at it's perfection; total acute awareness.

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MediNorCal

you guys need to come smoke in oakland, its the last thing on a cops mind, it's the law too, cops cannot make marijuana their #1 priority or even their #420th priority...it's the LEAST priority... but for me i used to be paranoid when I smoked until i moved to Oakland, then even after I moved away i was less paranoid, until I moved out of state to the worst county in that state that was known for busting pot heads like no other, then it made me paranoid again, now i'm back in oakland ahahaha

my plants are in plain sight, i've even had a police officer look up at my balcony and see them and STARE ( he was on the street and I'm on like the 3-4th floor), but nothing came of it...he was on another call involving some kid and his mom or something so he had bigger priorities ) although I will say i was scared and hid in my room cautiously waiting to see if he had left, and when he did I smoked a bowl and everything came back into normal haha

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jangel

Some types of pot make me more paranoid. And I do only smoke in one place in our home. It seems some couch lock herb makes me feel more anxious and paranoid. Like I am afraid the sky will fall. And can even add to depression. I find a nice sativa does not so maybe sometimes it is the type of pot smoked. IMHO

Peace

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leap270

I believe the amount I smoke leads to paranoia. If I just smoke just a enough I can enjoy my self but if I over do it I get all sorts of messed up inside, my mind starts to race with different thoughts. But alot of times it has to do with setting though. If I have nothing on my mind as things to do and I know I dont have to drive its fine.

CaptainStoner

I go to a club sometimes where its cool to smoke and i used to take a load of joints.

I used..something else while clubbing for a while and after that, smoking while out makes me twitchy, solitary, quiet. Normally very outgoing. However these few times its happened ive always had energy drink so its possible the caffeine is doing it or the mixture of the downer and the upper.

Next time i go im just going to smoke and see what happens.

Usually i smoke at home or with friends. When im at home smoking i'm working on or thinking about my projects or watching videos/chatting so it's cool those times.. love that

the.fatman.cometh

Wow, scott, those are some wise words my friend, indeed often overlooked.
I vote this thread 5 stars. Actually, it should be a sticky.

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4kaan4

Can you imagine a day when our kids or grandkids say "What are you getting all freaked out about? It's not like it's against the law or anything!"


Later,
4kaan4

__________________
I am an incorrigible, pathological fantasizer fabricating illusionary amusements for various individuals. In other words I lie like a politician. I refuse to break the law because I intend to live my life till the day I die!