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In recent years, cannabis has been prescribed to numerous patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). While using cannabis for mental health stability does not have to be a standalone treatment, it can complement a more traditional therapy or become a solution for individuals who tried prescription drugs and felt unable to deal with intense emotions caused by their disorder.
In this article we will take a look at the effects of weed on BPD, find an answer to the question “Can weed help BPD patients?”, and explore the potential of cannabis therapy in relation to mental health treatment.
Understanding BPD and Its Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) refers to a mental health disorder characterized by mood swings, impulsivity, and lack of consistency in relationships. This condition will affect the individual as well as make the lives of people around them harder – as you become prone to self-destructive behaviors and exhibit aggression towards your family and friends, it can wear down your mental health as much as take a toll on their minds.
Although only a qualified therapist or psychiatrist can diagnose a patient formally, there are certain signs that indicate the presence of BPD – you should pay attention to the following manifestations:
- Fear of rejection and abandonment. This often leads to toxic or at the very least emotionally taxing relationships an individual feels trapped in.
- Paranoia induced by stress. A person may feel like others are out to get them, start believing things that are not true, and even lose contact with reality.
- Impulsivity and aggressiveness. Emotional dysregulation is very typical for bipolar people so they cannot control their anger and impatience which leads to emotional outbursts and a necessity for anger management therapy.
- Unstable self-perception. It is tough for a person with BPD to maintain a coherent and consistent opinion about their appearance and personal attributes – one day they may be proud of themselves, and the next they feel negative about the way they look, talk, and think.
- Suicidal ideations. In some instances, it does not go beyond thoughts about suicide or threats of self-harm but it still reduces the individual’s ability to experience positive emotions and affects their relationships.
The Science Behind Cannabis and Mental Health
The medical benefits of weed for mental wellness have been thoroughly researched and verified – it helps addicts who want to find an alternative solution to prescription painkillers and individuals who suffer from chronic anxiety, depression, BPD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You can lessen the frequency of panic attacks, eliminate constant nausea, and find stability as you are analyzing yourself during the moments of self-reflection if you give a chance to medical marijuana.
Potential Benefits of Cannabis for BPD Patients
Here is a brief outline of the positive effects of weed on BPD you should know if you are choosing between this treatment and other therapeutic approaches:
| Benefit | Description |
| Facilitates Stress Reduction | There is a strong link between cannabidiol (CBD) and BPD symptoms such as anxiety and stress – it can temporarily reduce the symptoms that disrupt the daily functioning of the individual |
| Lowers the Risk of Relapse | Complete abstinence from alcohol and drugs is, naturally, the best way to overcome addiction but if you find it hard to give up your harmful habits, you can start your journey with a small step and replace alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs with marijuana |
| Improves the Quality of Sleep | While dealing with persistently high stress is one thing, a bipolar individual needs to address their sleep disturbances separately especially if they are also trying to overcome trauma or heal their depression – cannabis can certainly help you fall asleep faster and sleep soundly |
| Enhances Cognitive Function | Despite numerous misconceptions related to weed, recent studies have confirmed the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impact on borderline personality disorder is largely positive – the active constituent of marijuana is able to generate new neurons in the brain, restore the memory of the person, and even prevent cognitive decline |
Risks and Considerations of Using Cannabis for BPD
Even though there is a proven link between the use of cannabis and borderline personality disorder treatment, this kind of therapy comes with its risks:
| Side Effect | Description |
| Psychosis | This symptom may manifest if the person is genetically prone to psychotic disorders – BPD and schizophrenia frequently co-exist so doctors need to be careful when prescribing cannabis to help the patient deal with their anxiety and sleep issues |
| Depression | Research has shown that people who use cannabis often are diagnosed with depression at a higher rate compared to individuals who are not exposed to marijuana as a part of treatment or as a recreational drug |
| Cognitive Effects | Using weed is moderation is good for your cognitive function but problems will begin when you become a heavy cannabis user – your attention, memory, and motor function will deteriorate |
| Cardiovascular Problems | While heart diseases occur in people with all mental health diagnoses, patients with BPD need to be particularly mindful of the effect cannabis has on blood pressure and heart rate – besides, prolonged use of marijuana can increase the likelihood of stroke and heart attack |
Comparing Cannabis to Traditional BPD Treatments
Can weed help BPD patients better than conventional therapy and medicine? The answer varies from patient to patient – some respond better to prescription medication, others resonate with talking therapy and can resolve most of their problems by communicating with their therapist and peers in group therapy, and there are certainly people who use marijuana to deal with anxiety, paranoia, and mood swings.
Weed can be the right choice for a person who cannot take traditional pharmaceuticals due to the severe adverse effects on their mental and physical health. If BPD is only one of your problems and you also have a chronic disease such as epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease, marijuana can target the symptoms of all these conditions simultaneously.
Future Research and Developments in Cannabis Therapy for BPD
The medical marijuana industry keeps growing – cannabis has become popular among patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and cancer due to its impact on a person’s mental and physical state simultaneously, and physicians continue to prescribe marijuana to bipolar individuals.
The research is currently focused on exploring the unique characteristics of marijuana, comparing its benefits with the advantages of more conventional prescription medication, and using weed for BPD management when the patient has other mental issues they need to address. The link between marijuana and emotional regulation exists beyond a doubt so it makes complete sense that weed will be used to improve the wellness of people diagnosed with BPD as long as the legal adult-use cannabis market is allowed to develop and grow.
Ready to Make a Change? Contact Pacific Coast Mental Health Today
Can weed help BPD patients who tried other methods of treatment to no avail? If you want to modify the treatment that has not yielded the results you hoped for, talking to a mental health specialist and getting a second opinion is the smartest solution.
At Pacific Coast Mental Health, we believe in a whole-person approach to mental health treatment – get in touch with us now, and we will figure out what psychotherapy options can be right in your case and help you embark on a rewarding mental health journey.
FAQs
How can cannabis aid in emotional regulation for individuals with borderline personality disorder?
Medical professionals have prescribed marijuana for emotional dysregulation for quite some time now – it alleviates symptoms such as impulsivity and lack of focus and helps the person deal with intrusive thoughts that impact their behavior making them aggressive and violent.
What are the therapeutic effects of marijuana for BPD and mood stabilization?
Bipolar people cannot control their mood – they vacillate from excitement to anger which puts a strain on their relationships with others. By using marijuana in moderation, you can regain control over your emotions, feel less empty, and get rid of unreasonable fears and worries such as fear of abandonment.
Can CBD help alleviate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and trauma?
The manifestations of trauma and BPD do not let the individual go about their day and do not let them sleep at night. If you use weed to ease your mental health condition, the symptoms can be reduced for at least a short period of time.
What are the potential benefits of cannabis for mental health, specifically in relation to BPD?
You can feel less anxious and paranoid as well as more confident and self-reliant if a small-dose approach is implemented as a part of your cannabis treatment – patients are supposed to calm down and stop reacting with violence and anger in relation to life stressors.
How does weed contribute to healing trauma and improving emotional stability in those with BPD?
Patients with trauma and PTSD are often dealing with BPD – as long as your physician can figure out how much cannabis you can take safely to process your trauma and find inner peace, weed can put an end to the rollercoaster of emotions and feelings you have been forced to live with.
