Marijuana and Autistic Spectrum Disorders

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As far as people seeming more pleasant when stoned goes, I can see where you're coming from but to me it just underlines some of the major misconceptions many non-smokers and anti-cannabis campaigners have about the substance. Firstly that it is just another recreational intoxicant to be viewed in the same light as alcohol; well maybe in certain contexts and to certain people it is, and I admit that there is a recreational aspect to smoking a joint whatever your original intention was.

With the people I know who use it for medicinal reasons, however (whether for pain relief, easing anxiety, nausea, the list goes on but the latter two are particularly pertinent in my case) I would use the analogy of an chronic migraine sufferer taking a couple of painkillers for a headache. If that painkiller is an opioid of any kind then there will also be a recreational aspect to that dose, but you would hardly complain about that person being more pleasant when under the influence, would you? That's to say nothing about the addictive properties of opioids or the havoc they can play with your digestive system, but that's another topic entirely.

I have to agree with earlier posts which state that most of the 'paranoia' associated with cannabis is to do with its legal status, although I must admit that initially I found the heightened perception that it gave me could be a little disconcerting. Set and setting certainly played a big part in getting used to it, and the result is that I can use cannabis nowadays and be much less impaired in my everyday activities. I eat on time. I go to sleep on time. I know that if the thoughts in my head start racing uncontrollably there's a way to control the flow and focus on the more pleasant side of my imagination. I'm sure everyone here will appreciate the contentment and sense of security in such a routine!

I suppose I'm quite biased having been a regular user for some seven or so years, but I must stress that I hated the image of the drug to begin with, and ignored the benefits of its use for quite a while. The primary reason I persisted is that my impulsive, hyperactive nature was driving me into an alcohol-and-insomnia-fuelled early grave, so if you're the kind of person who can manage their symptoms without any crutch then you're probably better off without it and I salute you for your courage and strength of character. If, however, you're a responsible person who's willing to do their research and respect the plant then I think for some people it offers a great alternative to prescribed medications, especially (and I spit out the word with contempt) antipsychotics.

It's medicinal, it helps me get more grounded and connected. I use it with very sharp awareness of where I am, who I am and what I want to get out of it. I rule IT - it doesn't rule ME.

Hth,
jj

It made me more able to handle social situations. I went from avoiding people to tolerating them when high.

Sativa marijuanna is an anti-depressant. It does not amplify sensor sensivity, in fact it does the opposite! Paranoia is only connected with the illegal usage or acceptance where you live. I've never felt paranoia after 15 years of smoking everyday, only I hide from my parent because I know they don't like it. I feel much better in social occasion, and it helps me focus, less distracted by my surroundings. Marijuanna have no long term effect... when it's out of your system, it doesn't induce any further problem.

Beware when you speak of cannabis as STREET cannabis. Medical and street cannabis have so much difference that you can't compare them together. It's like if someone as ADHD and uses speed VS ritalin. You never know what kind of nutrients or how the grower took care of the growing or the curing process. As for medical MJ, you can be sure of the good quality.

Coming from California, and being a prescribed Medical Cannabis patient, I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the high CBD strains being given some of the limelight right now. In particular a strain called "Harlequin" being promoted and distributed through Harborside. The idea is that there is a low THC content, and a higher than normal CBD content. Anyone have any experience or care to offer their opinion?

As for me, I have used cannabis for years now to help me unwind in a literal sense, work is soooooo draining for me, and this "escape" allows me to relax, sleep, and let down the constraints on my "eccentric" aspie behaviors that I have in place throughout the day.

The use of this wonderful little plant has brought stability to my life, and enabled me to function in a world where I feel like an outsider.

MUCH MUCH better than letting a doc push all their psychotropic samples on me, I do not like processed medicines, especially for long term solutions.

I've made some search and a ratio of 1:1 of THC:CBD provides a good therapeutic effect. Sativex uses that ratio for ADHD medication. Also, Cannatonic strain seems to have good medical property. Do you grow your own weed?

Lets just say I've had a special interest in plants and growing things, as well as genetics and breeding for awhile and have put it to good use

As for the sativex, its a neat product, and I like how they are going after the full constituted effect and not just another lab grade THC supplement.

For those not in the know, CBD is not psychoactive, and competes for receptors in your brain with THC. It produces more pain relief, and also has been shown to offset and "protect" against the detrimental psychoactive problems inherhent with THC.

Never have heard of Cannatonic as a strain, what part of the world is this available in? Or are you talking about medical products such as med-ibles and drinks?

Marijuana has been great for me. Mostly I use it to medicate my chronic migraines. Outside of that I only smoke at the end of the week and it really helps me unwind and self-examine.

used it everyday for a while, now its only occasionally.
i never really smoked a lot of pot though, mostly resin, its more common in denmark, has a higher cbd content usually.

voting for the legalization when election is coming up.

as JSMC wrote i think most of the paranoia stems from the society surrounding the user and not the drug itself.
some might of course feel paranoid from the drug but those effects seem to be a very subjective science.

Personally I think claiming that marijuana always causes paranoia or anxiety is the equivalent of saying alcohol always causes irrational anger or inappropriate behavior

I smoke marijuana to help with depression, anxiety, and some PTSD symptoms....and I have also found I am able to focus more easily under the influence of marijuana and if I feel detatched it helps minimize that feeling which can also help with social interaction.

But it is true that not everyone reacts well to marijuana....it makes some people anxious and paranoid, and in some cases it can make symptoms of already existing mental problems worse for some people. So I would say since you had those sort of negative reactions its a drug you should avoid.

Just like any drug it works for some people and not for others.

I was really obsessed with "cannabis culture" and smoked pot almost daily for a little over a year...It was not a good thing in my life...it made me quite anxious and paranoid ….....and made my executive functioning difficulties much worse!

I hear about this addiction but the fact is that marijuana gives you a SHORT TERM boost, making u feel better while DEADING YOUR MEMORY AND MENTAL FUNCTION IN THE LONG TERM.

Personally, i started smoking marijuana on a daily basis in college when I was miserable, and binge drinking and developed bipolar disorder, which made things a WHOLE lot better. There is VERY little information on marijuana but it is known that it can change the pleasure center in the brain and increase anger, decrease motivation and sex drive and make you less able to concentrate or remember information. I took a bunch of easy tests with 50s and 60s when everyone else got A's because i could not remember information.

In addition, the people you get marijuana are ABSOLUTELY NOT YOUR FRIENDS and they will get you into trouble. If you continue one day you will come by their house to pick it up and find urself getting arrested in the process. THESE PEOPLE GET BUSTED VERY OFTEN and THEY WILL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY RAT OUT ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMERS TO SAVE JAIL TIME. I once called a stupid person who I knew sold and was talking to a police detective on the other line and had to tell them that I was trying to ask about homework and REMAIN SILENT when they described the drugs.

I just hope this helps, I would hate to see you meet the girl of your dreams when ur older and find that she DOES NOT WANT TO INVOLVE HERSELF WITH YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR HISTORY AND LIFESTYLE! and if ur smart marijuana will keep u from passing a drug test and getting a good job.