One in 6 people from the United States or 13% of the residents takes antidepressants as their daily medication. They take it in order to cope with depression and anxiety. We also know that Zoloft is the most common antidepressant. We also know that some of you will use weed to fight your pain and health issues. Now, you will know about mixing Zoloft and weed.
Why use cannabis in the first place?
For some of you weed or cannabis is a bad thing. In reality, this is far from the truth. Millions of people from all over the globe have been taking weed in order to fight off chronic pain, numerous health conditions and to prevent new ones from occurring. Cannabis is used to fight off Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, inflammation, to decrease risk of cancer and so many, other reasons.
Zoloft and marijuana
If you use Zoloft and you are planning to start with weed, you will want to know is it safe and can some complications occur. First of all, scientists have proved that grapefruit juice increases the absorption of some medications. In other words, juice affects the Cytochrome P450 and increases the absorption which occurs in the liver and our intestine.
Cannabis might do the same. We said might due to the fact this issue is very rare and more likely it will never happen. Just in a case, it happens to you, it won’t have a more severe effect than grapefruit juice.
When marijuana and Zoloft are mixed, your body will literally have a higher concentration of the medication in the blood. It will be the same as when you take a higher Zoloft dosage. For those who are on the lowest end of the dosage scale, there is nothing to worry about. After all, if you consumed grapefruit juice and take Zoloft you encountered the same outcome. If you take the highest dosage of Zoloft then you need to consider the fact, the levels will be increased after smoking weed.
At this point, we also must add that smoking weed and consuming edibles have a different effect on the antidepressant. Usually, consuming edibles is safer and as such more appealing to newbies. Smoking is a bit more rewarding and more pleasant.
Possible side effects of taking weed and Zoloft
Smoking weed on Zoloft can cause some side effects. Once again, this happens extremely rare and chances are under 5% this will happen to you. Just in a case, we will reveal what the side effects are. Keep in mind that the side effects that can occur are actually linked to the weed rather than Zoloft medication, but they are almost identical. Side effects can include:
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Anxiety
- Change in the core temperature
It is important to add that besides the low risk of these side effects, they are relatively minor. Another fact you need to remember is that the side effects, just in a case they occur will subside with time. This means that their intensity will decrease faster and faster and eventually you will be free of side effects.
Some people have been known to get panic attacks that can last for a few minutes. They are not severe but rather medium issues associated with the matter in question. This is the worst thing that can happen to you and it is also the rarest side effect from the list.
There is no clinical trial that proved side effects
Now, most of you believe that the side effects of smoking weed while on Zoloft are detected by teams of scientists. As a matter of fact, there is no clinical study that discovered them. The only way we were able to provide you with useful information is the fact some users reported the side effects. These side effects occur in a small number, therefore, studies were unable to detect them.
If you are planning to mix Zoloft or another antidepressant with weed, you should talk with your doctor. He or she will guide you through the entire process and help you understand all the elements you need to know. Chances are high that your doctor will support your decision.
Explaining the Cytochrome P450
Now we must explain how and why Zoloft and pot interact. The explanation is related to the Cytochrome P450 a chemical in our body that affects the liver and intestine. Normally, when the pot isn’t present, the chemical will absorb a specific amount of Zoloft from the blood. This is a normal condition. When you take weed, the Cytochrome P450 will be less-effective, meaning that the Zoloft levels in the blood will go up. The chemical treats Zoloft and weed particles as the same and can’t absorb all of them at the same time. Precisely the same things happen when you consume grapefruit juice while taking Zoloft or another medication.
Now you know how smoking weed with Zoloft will affect your body. We must include that in order to help you, Zoloft needs to be taken in a specific dosage for a longer period of time. You need between 5 and 8 weeks to notice the first effects. The levels of Zoloft will be accumulated in the blood and they will have an effect on serotonin once the levels are just right. This is the main reason why your therapist has been gradually increasing the dosage of Zoloft for quite some time.
The final word
Zoloft and cannabis can be used at the same time. The risk of a side effect or side effects is minimal and you are at the same risk when consuming grapefruit juice while taking Zoloft. Even if you encounter some side effects, they will go away quickly and you will be back on track. The last, if you are on a lower dosage of Zoloft, you don’t have to worry about. If you are taking the maximum dosage, you need to be careful.
