How Does Weed Affect Bipolar Disorder Symptoms?

Wondering about how marijuana affects bipolar disorder? Learn about the side effects it can have, how it can worsen symptoms, and healthier treatment options to manage bipolar disorder in a safe, structured way.

The link between weed and bipolar disorder is a topic of growing interest in both the medical and mental health fields. As more states legalize medical marijuana and recreational cannabis, questions arise about its impact on bipolar patients and whether cannabis helps or worsens bipolar disorder symptoms. 

While some people with bipolar disorder turn to marijuana in hopes of finding relief from mood swings, depressive episodes, or mania symptoms, others worry that regular cannabis use could trigger a manic episode, worsen psychotic symptoms, or even contribute to cannabis induced bipolar disorder. Here’s an overview of bipolar disorder, its complex relationship with cannabis use and bipolar disorder, and the potential benefits and risks of weed usage to bipolar patients.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from episodes of elevated or irritable mood (mania or hypomania) to deep depressive symptoms. It’s classified as a mood disorder and affects millions worldwide. There are two main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I, which involves at least one full manic episode, often accompanied by depressive episodes, and bipolar II, which involves at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, without full-blown mania.

Why might people with bipolar disorder use cannabis?

Cannabis use is common among many people, including those with a mental health condition. Some believe that medical cannabis may help with mood stabilization, while others use it to self-medicate when prescription drugs cause side effects. Here are some of the reasons those with bipolar disorder might turn to cannabis use.

1. Reduce depressive symptoms 

People with bipolar disorder often use cannabis to ease depressive symptoms like sadness, fatigue, or low mood. However, while marijuana can bring short-term relief during a depressive episode, it can disrupt long-term mood stabilization and may worsen symptoms over time.

2. Reduce anxiety and restlessness

Anxiety and restlessness are other common reasons that those with bipolar disorder may choose to use cannabis. With continued use, marijuana can actually interfere with stability and may contribute to more unpredictable mood symptoms.

3. Help with irritability and stress 

Another reason for marijuana use in people with bipolar disorder is to help when irritability and stress feel overwhelming, hoping it will take the edge off. While it may offer a brief sense of calm, relying on marijuana use can complicate emotional balance and affect long-term stabilization.

4. Help with insomnia

Insomnia is a common side effect during a manic episode, often causing people to turn to marijuana due to its sedative effects. Yet frequent marijuana use for sleep can disrupt natural sleep patterns and may worsen overall bipolar symptoms.

What are the risks of marijuana use with bipolar disorder?

While many hope marijuana use will help manage their bipolar symptoms, it can actually worsen them. Here are three major risks of smoking weed with bipolar disorder.

1. Worsening mania and psychosis

Studies suggest that frequent cannabis use may increase the likelihood of experiencing a manic episode or developing mania symptoms. People with bipolar disorder are already at increased risk of psychosis, and marijuana can heighten psychotic symptoms, particularly in those predisposed to psychotic disorders like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

2. Increased cycling between mood states

Cannabis may destabilize mood, causing rapid shifts between highs and lows that are already challenging for people with bipolar disorder. Instead of providing steady relief, marijuana can intensify the cycling between emotional states, leading to more frequent and severe mood episodes. Over time, this disruption can interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and treatment progress, making long-term mood stabilization even more difficult to achieve.

3. Cannabis use disorder

When cannabis abuse comes into the picture, cannabis use disorder can become another side effect in those with bipolar disorder. Due to the temporary relief they might get, people may rely on marijuana heavily, leading to dependency. Additionally, cannabis use disorder can interfere with other medications being used to treat bipolar disorder.

What is the difference between medical marijuana and recreational use?

For those with bipolar disorder who may be interested in seeking out marijuana to manage symptoms, it’s important to distinguish between medical marijuana and recreational cannabis use. Medical marijuana is prescribed and monitored by healthcare providers, often for chronic pain, nausea, or mental health disorders.

Recreational marijuana use is bought by oneself and tends to involve higher doses that may not be regulated for safety. If someone with bipolar disorder is adamant about trying marijuana to help their symptoms, they should speak to a healthcare provider to make sure that it is a safe option for them. 

How does weed affect mania and psychosis in bipolar disorder?

The manic side of bipolar disorder is particularly concerning when it comes to marijuana use. It has been seen to trigger manic symptoms, such as racing thoughts, irritability, and reckless behavior, and even intensify mania in those with bipolar I. Because manic symptoms can lead to dangerous decisions, pairing them with marijuana is not recommended.

People with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of developing psychosis during severe mood episodes. Cannabis can heighten this risk, potentially leading to psychotic disorder features like paranoia or hallucinations. Again, for those who tend to have psychotic symptoms, the combination of cannabis isn’t recommended, as it may worsen symptoms or increase the risk of other psychiatric disorders. 

How does weed interfere with bipolar medications?

While it may seem like a simple, quick fix, marijuana use can interfere with prescribed treatments for patients with bipolar disorder. Cannabis may alter how medications like mood stabilizers or antipsychotics are absorbed or metabolized, reducing their effectiveness. In some cases, combining medical marijuana with prescription drugs can increase side effects such as sedation, dizziness, or cognitive impairment.

Furthermore, because cannabis itself can trigger mania, worsen depressive episodes, or cause unpredictable mood swings, it may counteract the very stability that treatments are designed to provide. For those working hard toward long-term mood stabilization, regular cannabis use can undermine progress and make relapse into a severe mood episode more likely.

What are the treatment methods for bipolar disorder?

Instead of turning to cannabis use for relief, many people seek bipolar disorder treatment designed for managing the mood symptoms of the mental health condition. Here are the main treatment approaches used to manage bipolar disorder symptoms.

1. Mood stabilizers 

Mood stabilizers are a very common bipolar disorder treatment, used to balance the intense highs of mania and the lows of depressive episodes. These medications help regulate mood symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of mood episodes, and support long-term mood stabilization, allowing people with bipolar disorder to maintain daily functioning and improve overall quality of life.

2. Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are often prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder when psychotic symptoms or severe mania occur. They help regulate psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and extreme agitation, while also stabilizing mood symptoms during intense manic episodes. By managing both mania symptoms and psychotic features, antipsychotics play a crucial role in comprehensive bipolar disorder treatment.

3. Therapy

Often used in conjunction with medication, therapy is an essential part of bipolar disorder treatment, offering structured support and guidance for managing mood swings, stress, and everyday challenges. Through approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychoeducation, people can learn to recognize early signs of mood episodes, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and improve overall mood stabilization and quality of life.

4. Lifestyle management

Proper lifestyle management is another key component of managing bipolar disorder, focusing on habits that support consistent mood stabilization. Maintaining regular sleep patterns, engaging in exercise, and keeping a structured daily routine can help reduce the intensity of mood swings, improve overall mental health, and complement medications and therapy for more effective long-term management.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health disorder, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.