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Effects of Marijuana on Bipolar Disorder

Effects of Marijuana on Bipolar Disorder

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The Cerebral Team Apr 4, 2024
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People managing bipolar disorder may explore different options when seeking to achieve mental balance, including self-medication. With the rise in marijuana being used to treat other conditions, you may be curious and searching for answers about its effects on bipolar disorder.

But here's the blunt truth: Research overwhelmingly points to negative outcomes that outweigh any temporary relief its use could potentially provide.

Drawing on research, we’ll outline how smoking weed or taking edibles may affect symptoms, impact medication, and lead to other risks.

How marijuana affects bipolar symptoms

Bipolar disorder is characterized by significant mood swings, including manic highs and depressive lows. Introducing marijuana into this already unpredictable mix can make symptoms and episodes worse.

Marijuana makes bipolar symptoms worse

People with bipolar disorder may turn to marijuana in an attempt to relieve their symptoms, but it may have the opposite effect.

Mania or hypomania
During manic phases, dopamine levels are already high, contributing to heightened excitement and impulsivity. When THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is introduced into your system, it can further increase dopamine levels, potentially intensifying these manic symptoms. This surge can lead to:

  • An escalation in risk-taking behaviors
  • Decreased need for sleep
  • More pronounced mood swings

Heightened manic symptoms can disrupt the balance needed to manage bipolar disorder.

Depression
While it’s often associated with feelings of calm and relaxation, marijuana can also induce feelings of depression in certain individuals. This unexpected outcome is believed to arise from THC's effects on the brain's endocannabinoid system, which is instrumental in regulating emotions and stress.

THC's psychoactive properties can further imbalance critical mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Instead of alleviating the symptoms of bipolar depression, marijuana can intensify feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness, amplifying existing negative emotional states and thought patterns.

Anxiety
Marijuana can induce feelings of paranoia and anxiety in some individuals. For those with bipolar disorder, this can be particularly problematic as they often experience anxiety, too.

Overall, research suggests that bipolar symptoms will intensify or last longer with marijuana use. One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders observed that some patients with bipolar disorder reported longer periods of worsened symptoms after marijuana use. Early research also indicates that there’s no advantage in using THC therapeutics for depression or CBD treatments for mania.

Why this is important: The unpredictability of marijuana's effects can make mood states more difficult to manage and predict, complicating treatment and recovery efforts.

Redheaded white male unable to concentrate while at desk

Cognitive effects of marijuana use

One of the many concerning effects of marijuana use is its impact on cognitive functions like memory and attention, which can already be affected by bipolar disorder’s symptoms. Use can also influence coordination and reflexes.

These cognitive effects can exacerbate the challenges that bipolar disorder’s shifts in thinking and daily functioning present, including:

  • Declined memory: Research indicates that marijuana use, particularly long-term or heavy use, can impair both short- and long-term memory. 
  • Reduced attention and concentration: Marijuana can also affect an individual’s ability to focus, pay attention, and process information efficiently. 

The effects of marijuana also extend to psychomotor skills, impairing coordination and slowing reflexes.

For someone with bipolar disorder, these effects could make managing medication schedules more difficult, present challenges with school or work tasks, and increase their risk of accidents and injuries.

Marijuana interferes with medication

Individuals with bipolar disorder often rely on mood stabilizers like lithium or antipsychotics, which are processed by liver enzymes. The active compounds in marijuana, THC and cannabidiol (CBD), can interfere with these enzymes, potentially causing medications to reach dangerously high levels or fluctuate unpredictably in the bloodstream.

What this means: Elevated levels of mood stabilizers might lead to toxicity, while insufficient levels may fail to prevent mood swings. Additionally, marijuana use can intensify the sedative effects of bipolar medications, further impairing daily functioning.

To help avoid safety issues and unpredictable outcomes, individuals with bipolar disorder should discuss any marijuana use with their healthcare provider.

Marijuana use can lead to symptoms of psychosis

Some bipolar individuals are already at risk of experiencing psychosis. THC, the active component in marijuana, could trigger psychotic symptoms by interacting with the brain's cannabinoid receptors, affecting mood, perception, and cognition.

People with bipolar disorder have brain chemistry and mood regulation mechanisms that are already affected. Introducing THC can disrupt neural pathways further, increasing the risk of experiencing psychotic episodes for some. For those who experience psychosis, symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking could worsen.

The association between marijuana use and psychosis is particularly significant for those with a family history of psychotic disorders.

Explore more: What You Should Know About Bipolar Psychosis

It can increase the frequency of bipolar episodes

Marijuana's impact on the brain can destabilize a person's mood, potentially triggering more frequent and intense episodes.

THC can disturb the brain's natural mood regulation by affecting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This disruption can lead to more frequent and severe mood swings, amplifying the underlying mood instability associated with bipolar disorder.

By affecting the brain’s natural mood regulators, marijuana can lead individuals to cycle back and forth between mania and depression, which can make it challenging to manage bipolar disorder.

The bottom line: Marijuana's effects can make it more difficult to maintain emotional stability.

Asian woman looking very depressed, hopeless, and distraught

It may increase the risk of suicide

Marijuana use could worsen the condition by increasing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Bipolar disorder inherently raises the risk of suicide due to its severe mood fluctuations. When marijuana is used, it can intensify depressive symptoms, making the lows feel even more profound and unbearable.

Why this is important: Major depressive episodes can be strongly linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Reliance on the substance for relief could also potentially lead to a vicious cycle of dependency and heightened despair and hopelessness, thereby elevating the risk of suicide.

Professional guidance is vital for managing the condition safely, and self-medication practices that could lead to more severe outcomes should be avoided.

Other effects of marijuana use

While marijuana can be regarded for its therapeutic properties, it's important to recognize that regular use has its own set of health risks, too. Specific examples of how marijuana can negatively impact someone's health include:

  • Cardiovascular health: Marijuana use increases heart rate and blood pressure shortly after use, which can be particularly concerning for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Over time, this elevated strain on the cardiovascular system could increase the risk of heart-related issues.
  • Respiratory problems: Smoking weed can harm the respiratory system, similar to how smoking cigarettes does. Regular marijuana smokers may experience chronic bronchitis, lung irritation, and an increased risk of respiratory infections.

It's critical to consider the added burden of managing a physical health complication on top of a mental health condition.

Can marijuana increase the chance of becoming bipolar?

While marijuana use has not been definitively linked to causing bipolar disorder, it can potentially act as a trigger for bipolar episodes due to its impact on the developing brain.

Studies show that using the drug can increase your chance of developing bipolar disorder as well as producing an earlier onset of the condition. 

Given the potential for the drug to interfere with bipolar disorder management, a careful and individualized approach to treatment and counseling is warranted. For individuals with a genetic predisposition to mental health conditions like bipolar, marijuana use should be approached with extreme caution.

Image highlights bipolar treatment options of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, and the image includes graphics of a prescription bottle, an online therapist, and a running shoe to denote a healthy lifestyle.

How bipolar disorder is treated

Treating this disorder requires a multifaceted approach that typically involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. 

Medication

Bipolar disorder treatment typically includes mood-stabilizing medication tailored to each patient's unique needs to manage the cycles of highs and lows.

  • Lithium and other anticonvulsants are common in stabilizing moods.
  • Antipsychotics may be prescribed for episodes.

What works best can differ between people, but a licensed prescriber can help you develop a medication regimen that alleviates your bipolar symptoms. 

Therapy

In-person or online therapy can help you recognize triggers and develop coping mechanisms without relying on substances like marijuana. It also supports the development of a healthy daily routine, which is crucial for managing the mood swings common in bipolar disorder.

Why this is important: Lowering the intensity of mood episodes could help reduce the desire to look to alternatives for symptom relief. 

Lifestyle adjustments

Equally important are lifestyle adjustments that promote health and balance while managing bipolar symptoms. This can include having a set daily routine, getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.

Since substance use can be a trigger, avoiding or limiting use may be vital to maintaining your mental and physical well-being.

The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms, reduce the frequency and intensity of mood swings, and help you lead a more stable and fulfilling life.

Learn more: Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

The risks outweigh potential benefits

Marijuana use complicates an already complex illness and treatment process. It can potentially lead to worse bipolar symptoms, medication issues, and an increased risk of suicide, psychosis, and other health problems.

If you haven’t been diagnosed but are wondering about your mental health status, the use of marijuana could potentially act as a catalyst, increasing the chances of the disorder’s onset.

People with bipolar are already at a higher risk of developing substance use disorder due to their brain's reward system's altered functioning. Adding marijuana into the mix can further increase the likelihood of developing this disorder.

The most important action you can take is to seek professional advice and have an open, honest conversation about the risks of marijuana use. With that knowledge, you can make informed decisions that lead to long-term mental wellness and stability.

If you’re managing bipolar disorder and weighing the effects of marijuana use, our care team — including licensed prescribers, online therapists, and care counselors — will work with you to address your mental health needs and substance use concerns.

With Cerebral, you can get personalized therapy and work with a licensed professional to manage your medication all from the comfort and privacy of your home.


Images by freepik, freepik, and freepik on Freepik.

The information in this blog is provided as a general educational resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purpose. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment and does not create any patient-physician relationship between you and Cerebral. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or to get guidance about a specific medical condition.

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During a psychotic episode, medications may need to be adjusted or added, and one may need to check in with or see their prescriber often. Antipsychotic medications are often used to manage the symptoms of psychosis. Like all medications, these have risks and benefits, and it's important that you consider those with a healthcare provider. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be effective in helping individuals manage and prevent psychotic symptoms by providing tools to challenge and reframe irrational beliefs. Having a strong support group is really important for people who experience psychosis — those trusted individuals can help distinguish reality from imagined perceptions. Support and education programs for loved ones can also be a valuable resource to help them become more informed and prepared to provide help through the recovery process. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can help stabilize mood and reduce the risk of psychotic episodes. Additionally, identifying and avoiding personal triggers such as stressful situations or substance use is crucial. Be prepared: Fill out this free mental health emergency plan so you have a roadmap for action if your symptoms escalate.  What to do after a psychotic episode After experiencing bipolar psychosis, it’s crucial to regroup and reestablish a sense of stability. Many of the same interventions that are recommended during an episode apply in the recovery process, which may also involve adjusting treatment, seeking support, and focusing on self-care. It’s also essential to have open and honest communication with a trusted mental health professional. Following a psychotic episode, it may be beneficial to: Schedule a check-in with a licensed prescriber. Medications may need adjustments to ensure their effectiveness and minimize side effects.  See your therapist. Continued therapy can provide a safe space to explore feelings, address challenges, and develop strategies for managing symptoms and preventing relapse. Prioritize self-care. Engage in physical activity, maintain a nutritious diet, and do what you can to get adequate sleep. Connect with your support system. Leaning on the support of friends, family, or support groups can offer comfort and understanding, reducing feelings of isolation. ​​Psychotic symptoms, though common in bipolar disorder, vary in how they impact the condition's progression and outcomes. With support and management strategies that work for you, you can regain balance and continue to lead a fulfilling life.  Helping someone experiencing psychosis Supporting someone in the midst of psychosis requires sensitivity and patience. You’ll want to: Maintain a calm and non-confrontational stance. Offer reassurance and support. Acknowledge their feelings, even if you don’t share their perceptions. You could risk making things worse if you try to convince them that their beliefs are false, dismiss or belittle their experiences, argue with them, or encourage dangerous or impulsive behaviors, potentially leading to increased distress, isolation, or even harm to themself or others. People experiencing a psychotic episode have a higher risk of suicide. If someone demonstrates severe symptoms — such as expressing suicidal thoughts, showing intense paranoia or agitation, or acting abusively or violently — contact local emergency services immediately. Stability through support The complexities of bipolar disorder and psychosis may present challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone. With the right knowledge, support, and strategies in place, you can find stabilization and greater control over your life.  Support groups, education, and therapy are just as essential for those who care for individuals with bipolar psychosis as they are for the affected person themself. From online therapy to medication management, Cerebral can deliver a tailored approach to address these mental health needs. Discover how we’re different from other online mental health providers. Images by vecstock and tirachardzon Freepik. The information in this blog is provided as a general educational resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purpose. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment and does not create any patient-physician relationship between you and Cerebral. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or to get guidance about a specific medical condition.
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