Drug-Induced Paranoia
 

If you smoke cannabis or whatever u probably know about the paranoia that comes with it.

Personally i feel that its cause by all the secrecy thats involved with using drugs illegally, and grows from there. i don't think its completely chemical.

Also it seems that they aren't spontaneous thoughts, more like thoughts that surface and you continue to think about.

I've been clean pretty much all summer so it's gone away but its still there sometimes. Alcohol usually calms me down and gets my mind off of it....

Please share stories, experiences, methods, etc...

i could be wrong, but from personal experience i think weed makes the heart tick faster. and that...

i dunno....

but yeah. weed has made me paranoid many times. down right scared a few times. like i was gonna die & then i would get religious right there & then.

hahaha stupidity is marvelous?

Pot makes you paranoid. Period. While I have nothing against it - infact I was a heavy user for about 4 years strait. If it was legal it would still make pot heads paranoid :)

Testing, Testing...
 

haha so seeing as how i had to experiment... :p

for me events happen together and it makes it seem like the events must have something to do with each other, but its probably just a coincidence.

A close friend of mine once ran about 10 miles towards home from a club, convinced somebody was out to get him.

When he got close to home he thought he heard helicopters overhead and ran into some woods. He spent the night there hiding under the cover of the trees.

Never been one for paranoia myself, except when driving home from my dealer or when my plants get out of hand.

I used to smoke a lot back in college. It consistently made me paranoid. I had lots of friends that smoked too. Some of them became paranoid on it, some did not. I never had the strong feeling of paranoia continue after the buzz was gone. IMO it made me paranoid because, at the time, I was a bit paranoid about the world and worried a lot about what others were thining of me. It doesn't affect me now because, for the most part, I don't care what others think of me.
"Never wonder what others are thinking about you. They are too busy wondering what you are thinking about them." Unknown

Heart rate increases during the onset of a marijuana high. It slows down to normal shortly after.

true true, good quote thanks.

wut about shrooms, i heard those really fuck u up

If you're goign to do mushrooms, before you do it, make sure you have a positive mindset.

I've only tried weed a couple of times, and that was enough. Doesn't have a positive effect on me at all, I do get mildly paranoid, but I think I'm slightly paranoid even without it, so who knows. All I do know is that it's bad, and I want nothing to do with it.

When I'm at my house, I'm not paranoid at all... Just when I'm smoking it other places. I get really paranoid when I'm smoking it in cars. Or anywhere outside.

The only paranoid I get on weed is about cops, but if I am in a home or something then I don't have a care in the world.

I have only tried shrooms once and I wasn't paranoid at all, there is way too much other stuff to try and figure out before paranoia comes into the picture, least it was like that for me.

Never get paranoid smoking weed, not even when I did it a few times in my parents house.

Just affects different people differently.

Now acid.....that makes you paranoid ;)

^^^
yea it does!

no paranoia here.

like kalisto said....there's just too much other stuff to dial in instead of being paranoid

*don't do the acid man*

I am a very paranoid person. I'm afraid that people are out to get me, all the time. But for some reason, when I smoke weed, I actually feel less paranoid.

Does anybody else have this?

hmm that is interesting, it might be because it calms you down. it is something i will look into later but not any time soon (i need to chill for a bit)

Paranoia was always little to none with me. Then again, I dont smoke ridiculous amounts, and I dont smoke often.

Well, I smoke weed about once or twice every month (not very often)..
When I smoke, I tend to get paranoia, but it seems to come in waves with me. For example, I'll smoke a few bongs and feel really mellowed out and acting more on reaction than thinking about it.. Then all of a sudden I'll become really self conscious and worry about my replys (when talking with mates), then once my brain has finished arguing with it's self as to why I shouldn't be paranoid I become relaxed again.. And then 5 minutes later my brain will switch and i'll become paranoid.. It's really quite strange. And this happens even if I am alone.

I think I become paranoid when smoking weed because when I am sober I am self conscious (I wouldn't called it parnoid) of myself anyway. So weed seems to enhance that sensation.

Anyhow, I do like to smoke weed (by myself) on the occassion, just so I can explore this 'problem' and see if I can try to resolve it..

Wow, this thread was start about 2 years ago! I think i missed the boat big time.

Are you fucking kidding?

Weed makes me paranoid as fuck. When I first did it, I was at my grandparent's house smoking a bong with my cousin. When I got back, I went into the hot tub and I was fuckin convinced that the aliens were watching me in the woods and whenever I thought I spotted them, I spotted them dancing.

Since then, the paranoia hasn't gotten that crazy, I just always think that everytime I drived while stoned, there's always a cop behind me. I once had a fight with myself in the mirror.

I always got super horny and paranoid as fuck, unless I was with a woman and we had sex...... and it would be the best sex ever. And I would smoke everything I could because I loved that feeling..... but I know it's a problem so I don't partake .... maybe once a year if that.

My paranoid delusions would stem from my feeling so good and then I would get thoughts that whoever gave/smoked it with me was out to put me into jail. I could come up with the greatest conspiracy theories known to man.

The way I would overcome after I learnt about the paranoids was I would ask myself why anyone would give a fuck whether I went to prison or stayed stoned or whatever the conspiracy theory was. I'd calm down and enjoy the buzz. Ah ego and paranoia just do not go together.

Weed doesn't make me paranoid, it actually helps me think less (which is why I smoke it when I do).

Mushrooms, on the other hand, fuck. Never again.

Every time I smoke weed, I end up posting in this sub-forum! So yeah.

Weed makes you paranoid, but it's usually nothing too over the top. Most of the time it's just over little things that don't matter, atleast for me.

How drugs effect you depends all on set and setting. So I guess you would get paranoid if you get high in that sort of mindstate.

http://img169.echo.cx/img169/2531/ba...r0911ef.th.jpg I know this shit is good but come on Makes you see helicopters :crazy:

well i smoked weed 12 times a day for 8 years and the only time i was paranoid was when i was at a keg party and the cops busted it up.
ive done acid and shrooms about 50-60 times and never had any problems with that either... acid has a bit of an edge to it but shrooms are real mellow!!!

good times, good times

I never new this was paranoid. I thought that it just help me become aware of the infinite possibilities of human interaction. What helps me when i get like this is to remember what I meant when I said it. If they didn't hear what I said then we can talk about it later. I am too busy being stoned to be paranoid.

Well you know they call them weed-flexes(or at least I do) for a reason. Something about slowing down your reaction time.

It is even funnier that I posted so long after you posted, heh

if any drug makes you unnecessarily paranoid, it's cocaine for sure.

From my experience of being a heavy pot smoker for about 5 years, one of the main reasons for me quitting was the paranoia. I thought that sometimes it was just the way I was (or maybe the weed convinced me thats what it was) but I had paranoia in my daily life even when I wasn't stoned.

All of my friends who smoke have paranoia, even if just in a small way, but it can be being more self conscious for instance. I however got to the brink of a panic attack, which just isn't me!

Pot was the only drug that made me paranoid - nothing except normal comedowns from ecstacy, mushrooms, coke or speed. Heh recreational drug use - sounds like I was a proper Junkie.

I think the paranoia comes from the fact that pot makes you think about things in huge depth and on random planes and the human brain just starts questioning and analysing everything, even yourself and the things happening to you.

I like that though. I do that sober. I did that before I started smoking.

I like that too - its one of the things i miss

Personally, Ive had only one paranoid high. It was the second time I had ever smoked, and since then, never have I been scared or paranoid while under marijuanas most wonderful influence.

I would agree that the secrecy of using the drug though could conure up some paranoia to some extent.

thats exactly the same for me...

and that one time was years and years ago when me and two mates were smoking buckets at ******'s mums house...
somehow (i have no idea how or why) we ended up wandering around the neighbourhood in the middle of the night...
then we ended up on some dirt track somewhere, running as fast as we possibly could absolutely convinced that the Blair Witch was chasing us...
it was extremely scary and we still have no idea where we were or where we went after or b4 that...

but i'v never been paranoid since then...

I have never experienced paranoia while I was high. I've only ever been either really relaxed, "giggly," hungry, or horny.

Now shrooms... that is a whole different story. I've only done them once, but man, those things were freakin' crazy. I did them on my college campus with my SO, and while were walking around the dorms, we saw a campus guard and I got pretty freaked out. Luckily I walked by him quickly because I definitely wanted to crawl into a corner and cry and tell him I was sorry for what I did. Then when we came back to my SO's room, I kept thinking I saw someone outside trying to get in. I had a definite feeling of paranoia go through me... started bouncing in place and rushing my SO to unlock the door... almost started crying. Interesting experience... but that's what the drug is supposed to do. ;)

The only drug that ever consistently made me feel paranoid while under the influence was cocaine. That stuff is terrible and I'll never do it again!

When I first smoked weed it made me paranoid, but I was 14 and worried that my parents would find out and I'd be in trouble more than anything else.

Now the most paranoid I get on it is when I'm driving at night, and I have headlights behind me. Makes me move the sack from my pocket to my sock, because I know that they'd NEVER find it there :rolleyes: (if it really is cops, and if I even get pulled over and searched).

I smoke weed everyday. More than once. I get paranoid in public though and at work. I deal with it. At home to sometimes too. I found out just don't smoke so much. If your too high it can mess with you and thats when paranoia sets in.

Here's a little info... I have never been paranoid myself. But as for the heart beating faster, this is true. Cannabis is a stimulant... read on... And for all your drug related questions and info... check out erowid.

The effects of smoking Cannabis are usually lighter than those of many other recreational psychoactive substances. People are generally capable of carrying out normal actions and activities while high.

POSITIVE

* mood lift
* relaxation, stress reduction
* creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily
* increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music.
* increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
* change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection.
* pain relief (headaches, cramps)
* reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
* boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny

NEUTRAL

* general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives)
* increased appetite, snacky-ness
* slowness (slow driving, talking)
* light closed-eye visuals (uncommon)
* tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
* stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
* blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
* mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
* interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought.
* cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
* racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
* increased emotional impact of music
* Time sense altered: cars seem like they are moving too fast, time dilation and compression are common at higher doses

NEGATIVE

* nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives
* coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
* difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use
* racing heart, agitation, feeling tense
* mild to severe anxiety
* panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)
* headaches
* dizziness, confusion
* lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure)
* paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
* possible psychological dependence on cannabis
* clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
* can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

* mild to moderate, non life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur after daily use in some users. These may last for 1-6 weeks after cessation of use and can include anxiety, anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure), headaches, general unease/discomfort, difficulty sleeping, and a desire to smoke pot. Severity of symptoms is related to frequency of use and individual sensitivity.
* slight loss of appetite
* finding non-stoned life a bit dull, increased boredom

I have done the same thing for the past while.

I've been experienting with weed, trying to figure out how to solve this paranoia problem
so far, I've personally discovered this...

-It's important to work hard to keep your mind happy and to think love and beauty and the sweet smell of the earth calling you to play with it

-Don't smoke too much, The more you smoke the harder it is to get a "grip"

-Don't smoke "Skunk" aka incredibly high potent and strong weed. If you're going to smoke that, make sure it's the lightest kind.

-Get Good Sleep. When your mind is sleepy, you don't have the energy to keep your mind positive and instead you just "freak"

-Don't begin smoking weed thinking that you're going to try out things after you're high and they're going to be awesome. You'll end up playing xbox for 75 hours straight despite the fact that you HATE video games (if you catch my meaning)

-Music is great as long as you can relax your self and truly listen to the music (the lyrics, the individual instruments, etc...)

-Don't worry, be happy


Many people have made me feel bad for freaking out while I was high with them which is why I will never smoke with someone until I can control myself when I'm high by myself.

OTHERWISE, DUDE JUST GET A HOBBY AND FUCK THE WEED. IT'S NOT THAT GREAT EVEN WHEN YOU ARE LIKE HAVING A WONDERFUL HAPPY HIGH.

I rather be able to analyze my life and figure out who I am that try to keep my sanity for 5 hours of pure paranoid hell.

Yes! Finally, a drug thread. More specifically, weed.
Well, yes, weed makes me a bit paranoid, but there's nothing wrong with some healthy paranoia, is there? makes you more aware of your surroundins, IMO.
Me and my friends were talking about the effects of marijuana, and what we described it as was this: it increases (sometimes dramatically) your perceptions: sights, smells, especially sounds; However, while being sober, a good portion of the hearing, sights and other perception get filtered out (I personally relate it to computer resources, the inputs are reduced to avoid system overload). So cannabis, IMO, opens up those filters.
So with this increased perception comes several feelings. If there's people around that you don't know and who aren't high, paranoia: "do they know I'm high? Is there a cop near?"...If you're inside a "safe place", your friend's apartment, with good music on, then it just feels "good."

But holy crap, try playing a scary video game while high. I did it with left 4 dead, a zombie game. It'll make you much more immersed in the experience, and trust me, your reactions won't be slowed down.

---------- Post added at 06:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:15 PM ----------

Nice to know other people do it too.
I knew ssjtwizta smoked, and fly, a few others here too, but this is a cool discovery.
Sometimes I'll smoke if I'm gonna be sitting for over an hour (i.e taking the train, I'll burn one down before I go wait for the train), and pack some music or a book with me.