Getting on SSRIs can be life-changing for the mental health of so many different people. However, if you’re a regular cannabis consumer, you want to be sure that mixing your medications is safe. This leads many people to ask the question: can you take Lexapro and weed?
Of course, Lexapro is just one SSRI out of many.
But, today, we’re focusing specifically on the combination of weed and Lexapro, and whether or not you should be concerned about your cannabis consumption.
Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Lexapro’s Chemistry
Before we talk about weed and Lexapro together, it’s important to discuss the SSRI’s chemistry and how it works in the body. This way, you can better understand how it interacts when cannabis is involved.
To break it down, Lexapro, also known as escitalopram, is a drug that functions primarily by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, emotions, and sleep. If you didn’t know, SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.
When you take the medication, Lexapro works into the bloodstream and reaches the brain, where it blocks the reuptake of serotonin back into the neurons after it has been released.
Normally, after the brain releases serotonin into the synapse (the space between neurons), it’s reabsorbed by the neuron that released it.
But, by preventing this reuptake, Lexapro allows serotonin to remain in the synapse longer, amplifying its effects on mood stabilization.
Over time, this rebalancing of serotonin levels can alleviate depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders, allowing for a more stable mood and improved mental health.
So, Can You Take Lexapro and Weed?
In general, combining Lexapro and weed can cause complicated reactions, and it’s something you should discuss with your doctor.
Lexapro works by balancing serotonin in the brain to help stabilize mood, while cannabis affects multiple neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin.
Since both substances influence the brain’s chemistry, using them together can lead to unpredictable interactions.
While many people tend to be fine combining the two, others may experience negative side effects which we will talk about later.
So, yes, there are risks of taking Lexapro and weed if you’re not careful, and many professionals stress avoiding the plant and antidepressant medications for the sake of mental health conditions.
Can You Smoke Weed and Take Lexapro?
You should keep in mind that the method of consumption does play a role in terms of mixing Lexapro and weed.
After all, different consumption methods impact how quickly cannabis gets into the bloodstream (if at all), and this can directly influence its interactions with the SSRi.
When it comes to smoking weed, the body absorbs the active cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) into the bloodstream through the lungs almost immediately.
This results in super-quick effects, typically hitting within minutes.
For Lexapro users, this quick delivery can lead to more pronounced, immediate interactions, such as heightened dizziness, drowsiness, or anxiety.
The rapid onset may also make it harder to gauge the combined effects with Lexapro, potentially increasing the risk of adverse reactions like intensified mood swings or paranoia.
If you smoke pot and notice your mental health is affected, it’s important to avoid mixing weed and your SSRI medication in the future.
Potential Side Effects of Lexapro and Weed
As we mentioned above, there are some potentially uncomfortable side effects that can come with combining cannabis and this antidepressant medication.
First, let’s talk about some general adverse effects of the mix:
Increased Drowsiness and Fatigue: Both Lexapro and cannabis can cause drowsiness, and using them together may amplify this effect, potentially impacting alertness and energy levels.
Dizziness and Impaired Coordination: Mixing marijuana and Lexapro can heighten feelings of dizziness and impair coordination, increasing the risk of falls or accidents.
Mood Instability: Cannabis, especially THC-heavy strains, may interfere with Lexapro’s mood-stabilizing effects, potentially causing mood swings, depression symptoms, heightened anxiety, or paranoia.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Both Lexapro and cannabis can cause nausea or stomach discomfort, and using them together may worsen these symptoms.
Cognitive Impairment: Concentration, memory, and decision-making can be affected, making tasks that require mental clarity more challenging.
Increased Heart Rate: Cannabis can raise heart rate, which may feel more pronounced when taken with Lexapro, leading to discomfort or increased anxiety in some users.
In more serious, though rare, cases, others may develop a more dangerous syndrome. Let’s talk about that next.
Cannabis and Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a serious condition that can happen when serotonin levels in the brain become too high.
Lexapro directly raises serotonin to help stabilize mood, and certain compounds in cannabis can indirectly influence serotonin as well. When combined, these substances could potentially raise levels to an unsafe degree.
Early signs of serotonin syndrome include restlessness, confusion, and muscle twitching. If serotonin levels continue to increase, your symptoms can progress to include high fever, rapid heart rate, seizures, and, in severe cases, even loss of consciousness.
While serotonin syndrome is uncommon and usually associated with combining multiple serotonergic drugs, the combination of Lexapro and cannabis might still raise the risk, especially at high doses.
If any of these symptoms appear, it’s essential to seek medical help right away.
Cannabis and Other Prescription Medications
Unfortunately, mixing cannabis with other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors like Zoloft, Prozac, or Paxil can carry similar adverse effects as combining it with Lexapro.
All SSRIs work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps stabilize mood, while cannabis impacts several neurotransmitters, potentially intensifying side effects.
Because cannabis interacts with the body’s serotonin pathways, it might diminish an SSRI’s stabilizing effects, particularly if you consume it frequently.
Regardless, you’ll want to talk with your medical professionals to see if your cannabis consumption will be safe with your antidepressant medication.
Safely Enjoying MMJ With Elevate Holistics
When it comes to cannabis consumption, at the end of the day, safety is most important. This is why medical marijuana is so regulated, and why our professionals take the job of evaluation so seriously.
If you want to enjoy marijuana as safely — and as affordably — as possible, it’s time to make an appointment with Elevate Holistics.
Click the button below to get started.
