5 ms·

Thanks for sharing your struggles and laying out some of the ‘action’ pathways. Also really appreciated your follow up with the caveat for antidepressant use w

Thanks for sharing your struggles and laying out some of the ‘action’ pathways. Also really appreciated your follow up with the caveat for antidepressant use with bipolar. Many people don’t know this and hiding it from your family can literally be life threatening. Regarding psilocybin, I have seen lots of cautions regarding use by bipolar folks. Most of the studies specifically avoid including bipolar so far. Clearly an n=1, but have you had success with it (if you feel comfortable sharing)?

justinko 5y ago
What substances a bipolar person can consume will vary by the individual. Some can use alcohol moderately, others must completely abstain. Bipolar is a progressive illness. I have taken psychedelics a handful of times and experienced the purported benefits that last a lifetime. Other times I have experienced extreme paranoia. I guess it depends on what state I’m in (mania, depression, mixed, stable). I used amphetamines and THC for many years to self medicate before being diagnosed. Self medication is extremely common for bipolar folks, especially alcohol. It only makes things worse. I’m still figuring out what I can and cannot consume, along with dosage. Since being on a mood stabilizer, I absolutely cannot consume any amount of THC, as it will induce mania. Alcohol will make me incredibly depressed the next day. Medication is new to me this year.
- MobileVet 5y ago
  Thanks again for your candor. Everyone is definitely different and even within a person is their current state, so it is no surprise your experience has been mixed. Great to hear you did have some positive experiences, I have heard they can be seminal. Hang in there, glad Lamotrigine has been so successful for you. I wish everyone could find a single med that could bring them relief. Many end up on a cocktail with plenty of side effects etc. it’s a never ending game of whack a mole and it sucks.
kayodelycaon 5y ago
Bipolar is already correlated with psychosis. (Mine is more pronounced than average.) Taking substances that induce psychosis seems a tad dangerous.
- MobileVet 5y ago
  Right... which is why the studies have avoided folks with bipolar and focused on straight depression. As one with a loved one who suffers, the ‘magic’ solution of psilocybin is still a big pull to give it a shot.

justinko 5y ago

What substances a bipolar person can consume will vary by the individual. Some can use alcohol moderately, others must completely abstain. Bipolar is a progressive illness. I have taken psychedelics a handful of times and experienced the purported benefits that last a lifetime. Other times I have experienced extreme paranoia. I guess it depends on what state I’m in (mania, depression, mixed, stable). I used amphetamines and THC for many years to self medicate before being diagnosed. Self medication is extremely common for bipolar folks, especially alcohol. It only makes things worse. I’m still figuring out what I can and cannot consume, along with dosage. Since being on a mood stabilizer, I absolutely cannot consume any amount of THC, as it will induce mania. Alcohol will make me incredibly depressed the next day. Medication is new to me this year.

MobileVet 5y ago
Thanks again for your candor. Everyone is definitely different and even within a person is their current state, so it is no surprise your experience has been mixed. Great to hear you did have some positive experiences, I have heard they can be seminal. Hang in there, glad Lamotrigine has been so successful for you. I wish everyone could find a single med that could bring them relief. Many end up on a cocktail with plenty of side effects etc. it’s a never ending game of whack a mole and it sucks.

kayodelycaon 5y ago

Bipolar is already correlated with psychosis. (Mine is more pronounced than average.) Taking substances that induce psychosis seems a tad dangerous.

MobileVet 5y ago
Right... which is why the studies have avoided folks with bipolar and focused on straight depression. As one with a loved one who suffers, the ‘magic’ solution of psilocybin is still a big pull to give it a shot.