Question:
Don’t know what the literature says, but I tend to agree with you…. the kids who had "bad pot trips" in the 70s (like me) …. seem to be the Xanax-heads (term used affectionately) of the 90s.
The problem is, Bob, that the sample is skewed. So *many* used cannabis during the late Sixties and the Seventies – yet how many developed PD? — Gary Cooper
Response:
Don’t know what the literature says, but I tend to agree with you…. the kids who had "bad pot trips" in the 70s (like me) …. seem to be the Xanax-heads (term used affectionately) of the 90s. The problem is, Bob, that the sample is skewed. So *many* used cannabis during the late Sixties and the Seventies – yet how many developed PD? — Gary Cooper
Right … Virginia and I are asserting that cannabis use didn’t cause gad/pd; but might merely unmask it. So let’s take a survey here. How many gad/pd sufferers have had "bad pot trips"? Show of hands. Bob
Response:
Right … Virginia and I are asserting that cannabis use didn’t cause gad/pd; but might merely unmask it. So let’s take a survey here. How many gad/pd sufferers have had "bad pot trips"? Show of hands. Bob
No bad pot trips…no panic attacks from smoking pot…still puff occasionally and it helps me relax. The only thing I’ve noticed since the onset of gad/pd is that it will keep me up at night if I am having an anxiety-type day. So if I do indulge, it’s when I am feeling good. Same goes for alcohol. No problems with alchol unless I am already anxious. Short answer, put me done for NO. All the best- Lisa
Response:
Right … Virginia and I are asserting that cannabis use didn’t cause gad/pd; but might merely unmask it. So let’s take a survey here. How many gad/pd sufferers have had "bad pot trips"? Show of hands. Bob
I smoked pot every day, all day long for 10 years. Never had a "bad trip" Also, had very little anxiety, during this time period. So, put me down for a no on this one. Kiesha
Response:
Don’t know what the literature says, but I tend to agree with you…. the kids who had "bad pot trips" in the 70s (like me) …. seem to be the Xanax-heads (term used affectionately) of the 90s. The problem is, Bob, that the sample is skewed. So *many* used cannabis during the late Sixties and the Seventies – yet how many developed PD?
Lurker de-lurking here. I’ve had PAs since 1976, when the first one arrived with some very powerful dope (only my third attempt to smoke it). I’ve found myself over the years wishing I hadn’t done it, but also very aware that the predisposition was there, and the pot just triggered what was ready to happen. That was the last time I tried pot, by the way. jk
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don’t know what the literature says, but I tend to agree with you…. the kids who had "bad pot trips" in the 70s (like me) …. seem to be the Xanax-heads (term used affectionately) of the 90s. The problem is, Bob, that the sample is skewed. So *many* used cannabis during the late Sixties and the Seventies – yet how many developed PD? — Gary Cooper Right … Virginia and I are asserting that cannabis use didn’t cause gad/pd; but might merely unmask it. So let’s take a survey here. How many gad/pd sufferers have had "bad pot trips"? Show of hands. Bob
Pot has made me nervous and slightly paranoid but my first panic attack occurred after a 3 day alcohol bender. I have never had a full blown attack after smoking pot–just sweating, hand ringing, need to walk around, get out of room, get away from people kind of thing.
Response:
Okay, okay…I know the idea that smoking marijuana brings on panic attacks is old hat, but bear with a forwarded question… I recently got an email in which someone described a friend diagnosed with Panic Disorder CAUSED by dope-smoking. I sent back the obligatory, "oh, no…it didn’t cause the disorder, it merely uncovered a predisposition that was there all along." It dawned on me as I was writing it that, even though I believe the above statement is true, I have NO IDEA what the literature says on the topic. Is that just the collective wisdom of asap, or is it mainstream medical opinion? I promised I’d throw the question open to the group. All opinions appreciated (including, for a limited time only, "you’re full of it, Virginia")…but I’m especially curious to hear what Kernodle or the other PD/MD gurus have to say on the subject. It’s been a LONG time since I read the books. Thanks! Virginia p.s. No, you DON’T have to admit you inhaled…
Response:
In article , "v. says… [snipped some] I promised I’d throw the question open to the group. All opinions appreciated (including, for a limited time only, "you’re full of it, Virginia")…but I’m especially curious to hear what Kernodle or the other PD/MD gurus have to say on the subject. It’s been a LONG time since I read the books. Thanks! Virginia p.s. No, you DON’T have to admit you inhaled…
Virginia, You will probably get alot of Dr. Kernodle quotes, but just in case, here is something, in my words from his forth edition: He says studies have shown that cafine and carbon dioxide will cause PA’s in most patients with PD. Having said that, we are able to phisically produce PA’s in most people who have PA’s. Some of the agents that may induce PA,s are : Carbon dioxide, sodium lactate, cocaine, caffeine and marijuana. What I think he is saying, is that one of these agents could initiate a PA, not the actually cause it. For me, my first PA was not initiated by anything that I know of, I was sitting at home. But after that first PA, If I smoked pot I would, every time, get a major PA. So I quit Also, I live in west Texas where there is alot of sour natural gas (H2S). If I get a whiff of that stuff, I will also get one. Don’t know if that is what you’re looking for, but there it is. Take care, Scott Hampton p.s. Yes I inhaled; hard to get stoned if ya don’t 
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Okay, okay…I know the idea that smoking marijuana brings on panic attacks is old hat, but bear with a forwarded question… I recently got an email in which someone described a friend diagnosed with Panic Disorder CAUSED by dope-smoking. I sent back the obligatory, "oh, no…it didn’t cause the disorder, it merely uncovered a predisposition that was there all along." It dawned on me as I was writing it that, even though I believe the above statement is true, I have NO IDEA what the literature says on the topic. Is that just the collective wisdom of asap, or is it mainstream medical opinion? I promised I’d throw the question open to the group. All opinions appreciated (including, for a limited time only, "you’re full of it, Virginia")…but I’m especially curious to hear what Kernodle or the other PD/MD gurus have to say on the subject. It’s been a LONG time since I read the books. Thanks! Virginia p.s. No, you DON’T have to admit you inhaled…
Don’t know what the literature says, but I tend to agree with you…. the kids who had "bad pot trips" in the 70s (like me) …. seem to be the Xanax-heads (term used affectionately) of the 90s. Bob
Response:
I realize I’m checking in late on this thread. My history and feelings on the topic are *exactly* the same as yours. (Even including the sister, who remains on Tranxene to this day.) I’ve also wondered how things would have turned out without the weed’s influence. <sigh Regards, JR — Note: If you wish me to receive your response to this newsgroup post in private Email, please be sure to remove the anti-spam extra letters "ny" from the reply-address. Make it say johnreb, not johnny. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Right … Virginia and I are asserting that cannabis use didn’t cause gad/pd; but might merely unmask it. So let’s take a survey here. How many gad/pd sufferers have had "bad pot trips"? Show of hands. Most definitely had a direct correlation with smoking pot and my first experience with extreme anxiety. Was such a terrible "trip" that the fear is still with me to this day (was over 20 years ago). Just the smell of it brings up bad memories. Have often wondered how things would have turned out had I not even tried it. Perhaps it only sped the onset up. BTW my sister had terrible paranoid/anxiety experiences with pot too, but doesn’t suffer GAD/PD. Just my 2 cents, Bill
Response:
<snipped Same thing here. My first "real" PA was the very first time I tried pot. It was all down hill from there. <snipped again Jen
Now that I think of it, my first panic attack was when I was 17 and smoked pot. I though for sure that I got some "bad stuff" laced with something strange. Funny though that none of the other people in the room were freaking out..i remember feeling really, really paranoid and crying and just wanting for the "high" to wear off!!! I never did like it..Alcohol was much more fun for me. My friends were all getting stoned and I was the hyper drunk one…that combination never did work out!! Oh well, thank god I got over that phase. Haven’t smoked pot since I was 19. If i want to get mellow, I’ll stick to Ativan and a nice warm bath, peace and quiet. :) — Michelle
Response:
Yup, that’s more or less how I see it too, Jan. Like a hairline fault in a crankshaft that needs *just* the right application of stress to cause a fracture. That was the last time I tried pot, by the way.
Same thing here. My first "real" PA was the very first time I tried pot. It was all down hill from there. I ended up spending two weeks in the hospital (1976) with the docs trying to figure out what was wrong with me….then came the round of psychiatrists and the "Med of the Month Club"…been through it all! Glad to still be alive and sane and doing well. Jen
Response:
Lurker de-lurking here. I’ve had PAs since 1976, when the first one arrived with some very powerful dope (only my third attempt to smoke it). I’ve found myself over the years wishing I hadn’t done it, but also very aware that the predisposition was there, and the pot just triggered what was ready to happen.
Yup, that’s more or less how I see it too, Jan. Like a hairline fault in a crankshaft that needs *just* the right application of stress to cause a fracture. That was the last time I tried pot, by the way.
I worked in the music business for a number of years and… well, to say I had the opportunity to sample drugs of all kinds would be a wonderful understatement. Aside of having seen too many people die, become burned-out shells, or get reduced to walking ash… I always knew, on some instinctual level, that opening my chemistry to that was just far too great a risk. Ummm.. that doesn’t make me smart, just sufficiently close to the edge of PD to have been forewarned. Of course, it got me anyway… — Gary Cooper
Response:
Right … Virginia and I are asserting that cannabis use didn’t cause gad/pd; but might merely unmask it. So let’s take a survey here. How many gad/pd sufferers have had "bad pot trips"? Show of hands.
Most definitely had a direct correlation with smoking pot and my first experience with extreme anxiety. Was such a terrible "trip" that the fear is still with me to this day (was over 20 years ago). Just the smell of it brings up bad memories. Have often wondered how things would have turned out had I not even tried it. Perhaps it only sped the onset up. BTW my sister had terrible paranoid/anxiety experiences with pot too, but doesn’t suffer GAD/PD. Just my 2 cents, Bill
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