Marijuana and Antidepressants: Potential Interactions
As more folks experiment with cannabis for mental health support, it’s crucial to understand how marijuana and antidepressants interact. While cannabis is known for its calming effects, combining it with depression medications may lead to unintended results. Follow along as we explore the potential interactions between cannabis and antidepressants to help patients make informed decisions.
Understanding Marijuana and Antidepressants
Antidepressants work by balancing neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, in the brain. Marijuana, specifically cannabinoids like THC and CBD, can also affect these neurotransmitter systems. The combination of marijuana and antidepressants may interfere with how effective your medication is, increase side effects, or lead to unexpected health risks.
Interactions by Antidepressant Type
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are some of the most prescribed antidepressant medications. Here you’ll find medications like Fluoxetine (Prozac), Setraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), and Escitalopram (Lexapro), just to name a few. Marijuana and antidepressants in this category have a low to moderate interaction risk. Some users, but not all, report increased drowsiness, dizziness, or mild mood changes when using cannabis while on SSRIs.
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs like Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) also have a low to moderate interaction risk with marijuana. However, some users may feel drowsy and dizzy when combining marijuana and antidepressants in this category.
Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs)
NDRIs like Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL also fall in the low to moderate risk category.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
TCAs such as Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline have a high risk of interaction with cannabis. When combined, this may lead to increased concentrations of TCAs in the bloodstream that can cause irregular heart rate and cognitive impairment. It’s best to use extreme caution or avoid mixing marijuana and antidepressants in this category.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs, including Phenelzine (Nardil) and Tranylcypromine (Parnate), have a high interaction risk with marijuana. These medications have fallen out of favor due to serious interactions with food and other medications, so adding cannabis to the mix is not recommended. The combination can cause serious health complications like spiked blood pressure and serotonin syndrome.
Sedatives
While not actually considered antidepressants, people with depression are also often prescribed sedatives. Let us be clear: It is not recommended to mix sedatives, like Klonopin, Ativan, Donnatal, or Ambien, with cannabis. The risk of interaction when mixing marijuana and antidepressants in this category is very high and can cause people to feel extremely drowsy and “out of it.”
Before Combining Marijuana and Antidepressants
When it comes to your health, it’s best to avoid unnecessary risks. Before using cannabis with your antidepressants:
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Disclosing your cannabis use with all your healthcare providers is crucial to avoid adverse interactions in your treatment. We know that can be scary at times. That’s why the folks at UtahMarijuana.org and our affiliated clinic, KindlyMD, work hard to create a safe space for sharing and healing. We are here to listen, not to judge, and to help you feel better. Plus, our healthcare providers are well-versed in cannabis medicine in addition to their traditional healthcare specialties, making a KindlyMD Care Team the ultimate secret weapon in your health regimen.
Monitor Side Effects: Keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary, particularly increased drowsiness, irregular mood changes, or dizziness. Should you experience these side effects, depending on severity, reach out to your healthcare provider or visit the nearest emergency room. Use your best judgment here and, again, avoid unnecessarily risking your health.
Start Low and Go Slow: If you and your healthcare provider decide cannabis is a safe choice for you and your condition, don’t overdo it right away. Start with small amounts of THC to see how your body responds. Even if you’re no stranger to marijuana, you might be a stranger to the interaction between marijuana and antidepressants, so dip your toe — don’t cannonball. For tips on how to find your “just right” therapeutic dose of THC, check out this helpful how-to guide.
Exercise Caution with Marijuana and Antidepressants
The interaction between cannabis and depression medication varies depending on the type of medication and the person’s individual response. While some combinations may have minimal effects, others post significant risks. Keep communication open with your healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective mental health treatment. To chat further about adding cannabis to your mental health regimen, schedule an appointment with the KindlyMD Care Team today. In one appointment, you’ll be preesented with the opportunity to discuss cannabis (and get a Medical Cannabis Card recommendation, if you qualify), your prescription medication, and meet with a Behavioral Health Clinician to monitor your overall mental health and wellbeing. Together, we’ll find the perfect combination to get you feeling better.
