Some people in need of marijuana addiction treatment are also affected by depression. As a result, they may have both weed and the antidepressant Prozac in their system. This is a risky situation. Why? Combined use of the two substances can increase your exposure to Prozac-related side effects. It may also reinforce the negative impact of marijuana on your health and well-being.
Want more information on marijuana dependence or depression? Consult the team at Zelus Recovery by calling 208.518.0797. Our programs help teens and adults recover from combined addiction and mental health issues.
The Basics of Prozac and Weed
Prozac is the most well-known trade name for the antidepressant fluoxetine. It’s part of the class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Like many SSRIs, Prozac is a frontline treatment option for major depression. It produces its effects by increasing your brain’s levels of the naturally occurring chemical serotonin. The medication is available in forms that include capsules, tablets, syrups, and solutions.
Weed is a common slang term for marijuana. This widely used drug contains the mind-altering active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It also contains a second, non-mind-altering main ingredient called cannabidiol (CBD).
Can You Smoke Prozac?
Most marijuana users smoke the drug. This fact points toward an interesting question. Namely, can you smoke Prozac, as well? As a rule, the answer to this question is no. People who combine the SSRI with weed typically swallow it. That’s true even when they smoke marijuana instead of swallowing it.
Weed’s Impact on the Prozac in Your System
Why is the combined use of Prozac and weed a cause for concern? For starters, the THC and CBD in marijuana can alter the way your body processes Prozac. Specifically, they can slow down the speed at which the medication gets broken down.
What’s the importance of this slowdown? You can end up with more Prozac in your system than intended. In turn, you can increase the odds of experiencing medication side effects such as:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Sleep difficulties
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
Other potential issues include a rapid heartbeat and fatigue. In addition, they include mood swings and bouts of paranoia.
If you’re an older adult, you may experience additional problems. For example, you may:
- Find it harder to coordinate your movements
- Lose some of your ability to make sound judgments
Increases in these kinds of Prozac side effects are typically mild to moderate. However, they may be enough to make you feel notably unwell. Similar problems can affect you if you combine marijuana with certain other antidepressants.
Other Reasons to Avoid Combining the Two Substances
There are also other reasons not to combine Prozac with weed. Importantly, there is a statistical connection between marijuana use and depression. The drug doesn’t appear to cause depression. However, people affected by the disorder sometimes significantly increase their marijuana use.
Any time you increase your use of marijuana, you also boost your chances of developing cannabis use disorder. This condition often includes symptoms of clinical marijuana addiction. It may also include symptoms of dysfunctional marijuana abuse.
Call Zelus Recovery Today to Begin Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Are you or someone you know using Prozac with weed? If so, you’re exposing yourself to some significant problems. For some, those problems include worsened Prozac side effects. For others, they include higher odds of developing symptoms of cannabis use disorder.
Want to know more about the possible consequences of combining marijuana and Prozac? Talk to the professionals at Zelus Recovery. Call us today at 208.518.0797 or complete our online message form. You or a loved one deserve to live the best, healthiest life possible.
