In this brief guide, we will look at mixing citalopram and weed, and other things related to citalopram and weed usage.
Can you mix Citalopram and Weed?
Ideally, you should not mix citalopram and weed, as they are both substances that have a significant effect on the serotonin level in the brain, and this may lead to the worsening of some of the symptoms, while at the same time giving rise to some common side effects of weed.
Citalopram is an antidepressant and many people take weed for depression as well, and sometimes this may make it seem like citalopram and weed can go together, but these two are not recommended together because they both act in the exact same way and it may constitute the case of overdose.
The mixing of citalopram and weed may not necessarily be immediately fatal, but it can cause worsening of many of the symptoms, or it can cause other symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, worry, or excessive energy.
Serotonin overload can be a serious condition as well, which may well take place if citalopram and weed are mixed in sizeable quantities.
Another huge possible problem with mixing citalopram and weed is that weed may not always be pure, and often it can be laced with chemicals, be really old, or just generally not be of great quality, and this kind of weed can cause major problems on its own, let alone with citalopram.
The bottom line is, anytime you have a doubt about mixing things like citalopram and weed together, when you know that both are substances that affect your brain directly in some way, you should probably at least put off the idea and talk to your medical professional first, rather than doing something and regretting it later.
If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.
Citalopram Side Effects
Here are some of the possible side effects of Citalopram:
- Increased apathy
- Emotional flattening
- Sedation
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Weight changes, usually an increase in weight
- Increased appetite
- Vivid dreams
- Frequent urination
- Dry mouth
- Increased sweating
- Tremors or trembling
- Diarrhea
- Excessive yawning
- Severe tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ear or a high-pitched noise)
- Lethargy and fatigue.
While these are the more common side effects of Citalopram, given below are some of the less common side effects:
- Bruxism (Teeth grinding)
- Vomiting
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Blood pressure changes
- Dilated pupils
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Headache
- Hyperactivity
- Dizziness.
Effects of Weed
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, here are the possible short term effects of Marijuana:
- “altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
- altered sense of time
- changes in mood
- impaired body movement
- difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
- impaired memory
- hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
- delusions (when taken in high doses)
- psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana)”
According to the same circular, here are some of the more long term effects of marijuana that people are not as aware of:
“The drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions.”
“A study from New Zealand conducted in part by researchers at Duke University showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing marijuana use disorder lost an average of 8 IQ points between ages 13 and 38. The lost mental abilities didn’t fully return to those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults didn’t show notable IQ declines.”
Marijuana or weed works by activating the centers of the brain that are responsible for memory, thinking, and attention, which is likely why it causes the effects it does.
Weed has a chemical called THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is similar in shape to a neurotransmitter found in the brain, called Anandamide, and when THC is present in large quantities in the bloodstream, it starts binding with the receptors that are meant for the neurotransmitter Anandamide and cause a drop in the levels of this neurotransmitter.
This neurotransmitter is responsible for modulating patterns such as sleep and eating, as well as other functions related to bodily processes or modulating reward and pleasure circuits.
When THC interferes with the function of this neurotransmitter, it can cause problems with all of these processes, and in the long term, it can have lasting effects on the brain’s chemistry and structure.
Citalopram reviews
Here are some reviews of the drug Citalopram from the website Drug.com, which may help you know more about the real-world usage of this commonly prescribed antidepressant.
“I’ve been blessed to not have many of the side effects for citalopram. The primary one I DO have is that of basically numb genitals. Climaxing is a thing of the past. I didn’t realize how much citalopram has been helping my anxiety and stress until I tried to stop taking it, as I have some upcoming meds that aren’t supposed to be mixed with it. After about a week of not taking citalopram, I was back to be certain that I shouldn’t stay alive anymore. Went back on them, and I seem to be much better again. I still am depressed, and I still have anxiety, especially for the first hour I’m awake in the morning. But I’m alive, so yippee.”
“I started Celexa during COVID-19. I always had high anxiety but COVID pushed me over the edge. My anxiety got to the point that I ended up in the hospital with a panic attack. My doctor started me on 20 mg of Celexa. The side effects were a little rough at first and included nausea, some random spasms, trouble sleeping, and a feeling of falling shortly after sleep. However, after about 2 weeks they subsided. The positive far outweigh the negatives. My anxiety is under control now. I’m able to live my life without constant worry. Things that used to be major stressors are now tolerable. I sometimes have to be a little careful because I feel like I’m too comfortable and don’t worry enough. The one major long term side effect has been the lack of sex drive. Everything functions fine but my drive has been greatly reduced. I also feel like my emotions are slightly muted whereas before I was felt emotions very deeply, now they are slightly less intense.”
“After 5 weeks on 40 mg, I feel so much better. My confidence in socializing has improved no end. My only side effect is lasting longer in bed. Bonus for my wife”
“This medication Celexa has brought me back to my normal self and has given me back my energy and sense of self.”
“I was prescribed citalopram about 6 years ago because of anxiety and agitation. I felt better almost straight away. I also don’t feel empathy towards people, only animals. I sleep better and almost feel detached from my feelings but I cope better like this. Don’t know how I would if coped without them.”
What do people say about mixing Citalopram and Weed?
It may help you to know what most people say about possibly mixing citalopram and weed, as there is not much peer-reviewed scientific literature about this subject.
Here are some opinions of people who have tried citalopram and weed together:
“More anecdata. Been on Celexa (10mg) for two years. Don’t smoke up that often, but when I do, I’ve been just fine. But yes, as (username) said, everyone’s brain is different, especially when it comes to anxiety.”
“Citalpram’s active isomer (sold as Lexapro/Cipralex) and weed do not mix well for me. I definitely saw an uptick in my anxiety for a few days after I got high.”
“Here’s the quote from the Lancet review article:
‘The evidence is consistent with the view that cannabis increases the risk of psychotic outcomes independently of confounding and transient intoxication effects, although evidence for affective outcomes is less strong. The uncertainty about whether cannabis causes psychosis is unlikely to be resolved by further longitudinal studies such as those reviewed here. However, we conclude that there is now sufficient evidence to warn young people that using cannabis could increase their risk of developing a psychotic illness later in life.’”
“Pot seems to make people anxious. They may not know it at the time, and maybe the duration of the buzz is super mellow time, but general anxiety and discomfort with real-life always seem higher to me. No pun intended.”
“I’ve been using both for over five years. Never had a problem. As (Username) says, enjoy!”
“If you were to ask my psychiatrist, she would tell you that smoking pot will counteract the beneficial effects of an SSRI, so you shouldn’t do it at all. Everyone is different, so my advice would be to keep a close eye on your symptoms and see if they get worse when you’ve smoked pot in the preceding week or so. If they do, smokeless or stop altogether, and see if you get better. Eventually, you should develop a pretty good idea of what you can get away with.”
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we looked at mixing citalopram and weed, and other things related to citalopram and weed usage.
Many people who are on antidepressants may still get the craving for weed, especially if they are used to it, and it can be slightly worrisome because the usual indication for any medicine is to not mix it with any substances like weed or alcohol.
If you still have concerns about your lifestyle and how it mixes with your medication, you should always have a candid conversation with your doctor about it, even if it is about something like citalopram and weed.
If you have any further questions or comments for us regarding citalopram and weed, please feel free to reach out to us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Citalopram and Weed
Is it Safe to consume marijuana when on antidepressants?
No, it may not be safe to consume marijuana when on antidepressants, and it may make for too potent a combination in your bloodstream as both these things target similar structures and chemicals in the brain.
How does marijuana compare to SSRIs for antidepressant/anti-anxiety effects?
Marijuana compares to the SSRIs for antidepressant/anti-anxiety effects pretty well as they both improve the serotonin levels in the brain which relieves tension and stress.
In some cases and for some people marijuana might work better than antidepressants/anti-anxiety medicine if it is taken in the right amount and after consultation from the doctor.
Can marijuana be used to fend off withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants?
There is no research to indicate with surety if marijuana can be used to fend off withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants, so it should not be tried without proper information from a professional.
If you are having withdrawal symptoms from the antidepressants it may be because you were not weaned off properly and you should consult your doctor about it, and try to figure out a better way of cutting the medication back.
Citations
https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/cannabis-with-citalopram-2758-0-679-0.html
https://www.drugs.com/comments/citalopram/