Should You Use Marijuana for CFS Recovery? A Deep Dive into the Pros and Cons
When you’re battling something as persistent and debilitating as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or other conditions linked to a hypersensitive nervous system, it’s easy to become desperate for relief. As your symptoms continue to flare up, you may try everything from prescribed medications to alternative remedies in an attempt to find something that provides relief. One of the most commonly asked questions is whether marijuana could help manage CFS symptoms.
In this article, I’ll break down the realities of using marijuana for CFS recovery based on my own experience and the experiences I’ve seen within the CFS Recovery community.
The Desperation for Relief: My Own Search for Solutions
During the darkest periods of my own CFS battle, I was completely bedridden and struggling to find any form of relief. I was turned away by doctors, told I was fine despite not feeling fine at all. In my search for alternative solutions, I found myself exploring various treatments, including marijuana. Many people turned to marijuana for its relaxing effects, believing it could ease pain and calm the mind. At that time, I was desperate enough to try anything that might offer a break from the constant discomfort.
I remember my first experience with marijuana very clearly, and it wasn’t a good one.
My First Experience with Marijuana and CFS
In the early days of my CFS, when I was living with my grandparents, I had just suffered a panic attack that left me debilitated. Looking for something to ease my anxiety, I decided to try marijuana. At first, it was relaxing, and I felt mellow and calm. But the moment I was startled by a noise—my mom entering the room—things took a turn for the worse.
In a matter of seconds, I felt overwhelmed by a surge of panic, which escalated into a full-blown panic attack. My body felt like it was on fire, and I ended up outside, lying in the rain, convinced that I was about to die. This extreme reaction was my first warning that marijuana might not be the right solution for someone with a hypersensitive nervous system.
The Pitfalls of Using Marijuana in Recovery
Over the years, I experimented with different forms of marijuana, including the potent THC oils like Phoenix Tears, in the hope of finding something that would provide relief. While I did experience temporary relief, including reduced pain and a sense of calm in the short term, the aftermath was never worth it.
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Temporary Relief, Long-Term Setbacks: The biggest issue with marijuana, especially THC, is that while it might help in the moment, the effects are fleeting. For a brief time, I felt relaxed, but once the high wore off, I experienced a “rebound” effect that made me feel worse. The next few days, my symptoms worsened, and I found myself crashing harder than before.
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Marijuana and Sensitivity: In people with CFS, marijuana can overstimulate the nervous system. Since CFS is linked to an overactive sympathetic nervous system (often referred to as the “fight or flight” state), introducing a substance like marijuana can throw the system off balance. The relaxation it provides is temporary, and as the body returns to its hyperactive state, it can cause a significant rebound in symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and even increased pain.
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Tolerance and Dependency: Just like many other substances, regular use of marijuana can lead to a tolerance, meaning you need more to achieve the same effects. This can set you on a dangerous cycle, where the initial benefits diminish, and you end up relying on the substance to cope. This cycle can ultimately make things worse in the long run, leading to a deeper dependence on the substance for symptom management.
The Role of CBD: A Potential Alternative?
In my exploration of marijuana for relief, I also tried CBD, which is known for its more calming effects. While CBD did provide some mild relief in terms of relaxation, it still came with its own set of issues. I experienced vivid dreams and mood swings, and like with THC, the effects were short-lived. Eventually, I found that while CBD helped calm me in the moment, it didn’t offer lasting relief, and I would crash shortly after the effects wore off.
Why Marijuana May Not Be the Best Solution for CFS
Based on both my personal experiences and those of people I’ve worked with in the Recovery Jumpstart program, marijuana is not a long-term solution for CFS recovery. Here’s why:
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Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Harm: While marijuana may help calm you down or relieve symptoms temporarily, it often exacerbates underlying issues over time. For those with CFS, any short-term relief is usually followed by a longer, more intense crash.
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Unpredictable Effects: Marijuana can have highly unpredictable effects on the body, especially if you have a hypersensitive nervous system. While it may provide relief for some, for others it can trigger anxiety, worsen symptoms, or even cause panic attacks, like I experienced.
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Dependency on External Solutions: The goal of CFS recovery is to gradually recalibrate your nervous system, not to rely on external substances to numb or mask symptoms. Marijuana may offer temporary relief, but it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem — the hypersensitivity of your nervous system.
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Tolerance Build-Up: With prolonged use, your body may develop a tolerance to marijuana, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to dependency and further instability in your recovery process.
Final Thoughts: Is Marijuana the Right Choice for CFS?
In conclusion, while marijuana may provide temporary relief for some people, I cannot recommend it for long-term use in the recovery journey from CFS. The long-term effects, including the risk of worsening symptoms, building a tolerance, and relying on an external substance for relief, make it more harmful than helpful.
If you’re looking to recover from CFS or a hypersensitive nervous system issue, the best approach is to focus on healing your nervous system naturally, addressing the root causes of your symptoms, and developing long-term strategies for managing stress and anxiety. Recovery is absolutely possible, but it requires a more sustainable approach than relying on marijuana or other external substances.
If you’re looking for more guidance on your recovery journey, I highly recommend exploring the Recovery Academy, where you’ll receive personalized support to help you understand the principles of recovery and create a long-term strategy for managing your symptoms. The key is not to mask your symptoms temporarily, but to regain control over your body and mind for lasting healing.