Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder that affects one’s behaviors, impulses, and emotions. BPD and weed are often associated together because of the way BPD impacts the body’s endocannabinoid system. There are two ideas about the link between BPD and weed: that it can be a helpful treatment for BPD symptoms or that weed addiction can become a comorbid disorder. To elaborate, research shows the endocannabinoid system plays a role in the mental health effects of borderline personality disorder. While cannabis could potentially help alleviate symptoms, weed can be highly addictive. Let’s further explore whether weed is a strong treatment option for BPD or rather a harmful self-medication tactic.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a mental disorder that can be severe and last for the duration of an individual’s life. Because it is a chronic diagnosis, it’s important that individuals receive effective care to help them manage their symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms of BPD are intense and debilitating. Borderline personality disorder directly affects one’s mental and emotional health but also impacts one’s identity, relationships, profession, and physical health. Some of the common characteristics of the disorder include:
High sensitivity to their surroundings and situation
Low self-image
Poor impulse control
Fear of rejection and abandonment
Instability in relationships, career, finances, etc.
A strong feeling of emotional pain
Mood swings
Depression
Self-harm
Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
Notably, BPD has four subtypes that exhibit symptoms in different ways.
Cannabis Use in the Context of Mental Health
Cannabis is sometimes touted as a treatment for mental health symptoms. However, it isn’t prescribed by medical professionals, especially because marijuana isn’t legal in all states. Thus, individuals who use cannabis for mental illness are self-medicating, which is a dangerous practice. For one thing, they may overdose on their chosen substance. For another, they can develop an addiction or possibly develop more mental illness symptoms. According to research, cannabis increases your risk of developing psychoses like schizophrenia. Therefore, it is not recommended to treat your mental health with marijuana.
The Potential Positive Effects of Weed on BPD
Some people report positive effects from weed use on their borderline personality disorder. The potential benefits could include decreased impulsivity, more even mood, and less stress. However, these benefits are anecdotal and should be discussed with a medical professional instead of self-medicating with marijuana.
The Risks and Drawbacks of Cannabis Use for BPD
It’s likely that weed and BPD are actually a poor combination, especially because one symptom of the disorder is instability or impulsivity. Thus, an individual can easily overdo their marijuana usage. Further, marijuana can accelerate an individual’s symptoms so they are even more reckless or impulsive. Even more, research shows you can experience weed psychosis, which is cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP) that mimics psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
And as mentioned, you put yourself at risk of developing an addiction to marijuana. Then, you’d become trapped in the cycle of always needing more to fend off withdrawal symptoms.
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamExpert Perspectives on Borderline Personality Disorder and Cannabis
To further address the question of “Can weed cause mental illness?” we consulted research studying the connection between BPD and weed. As discussed, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in BPD as one of the compromised areas of the brain due to the disorder. However, studies show that substance abuse leads to an increased frequency of borderline personality disorder. At this point, there isn’t enough known about whether weed can significantly benefit BPD symptoms without causing cannabis use disorder (CUD). Thus, self-medicating with weed is dangerous and may lead to more damage overall.
Alternative Coping Strategies for BPD Symptoms
Instead of self-medicating with weed as a coping mechanism for BPD symptoms, there are evidence-proven techniques that will serve you well. We recommend the following treatment steps for our clients with borderline personality disorder.
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Check Your CoverageTherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Because one key symptom of borderline personality disorder is low self-image, behavioral therapy can significantly help clients rationalize their feelings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) explores individuals’ base feelings and reactions to these emotions. Individuals with BPD often experience emotional reactivity, poor impulse control, and unhealthy relationships. In CBT, they will work with their therapist to explore these negative patterns and the damaging effects they have on their life. Additionally, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be used to help clients manage their emotions. People with BPD often have a fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, and volatile emotions. DBT helps them unpack their emotional responses and then learn to follow new thinking and behaving patterns.
Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder
Along with traditional therapy programming like CBT and DBT, borderline personality disorder can be treated with holistic approaches. Mindfulness and meditation are two such practices that follow an integrative approach to healing. To elaborate, holistic therapy addresses a person’s whole self, including their mind, body, and spirit. People with BPD battle with their mental, physical, and spiritual wellness through their negative behaviors and low sense of self. Mindfulness encourages honest thought about the present and the self to center oneself. Additionally, it has benefits such as reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. We teach clients mindfulness practices they can use as a coping mechanism whenever symptoms trigger negative feelings.
Medication for Borderline Personality Disorder
In addition to traditional psychotherapy and holistic healing activities, medication rounds out a comprehensive treatment approach to borderline personality disorder. Medication can be highly beneficial for people who struggle with a severe mental disorder like BPD. Research approves multiple medication options for BPD symptoms, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. Before an individual can receive medication for BPD, they will need to meet with a medical professional to receive an official diagnosis.
It can be tricky to identify BPD, as symptoms exhibit differently in each person. Some symptoms overlap with other mental disorders, like bipolar disorder. However, once an individual receives a diagnosis of BPD (or a co-occurring disorder), their therapist will determine the right medication. Notably, all clients of Aliya Health Group who take medicine enter medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to monitor their dosage and ensure positive symptom management.
Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder
Living with BPD can be frightening, isolating, and painful. Self-medicating with weed will only worsen your condition and may lead to an additional drug addiction on top of your symptoms. Fortunately, we can help you recover from your disorder.
We provide drug addiction counseling, therapy for mental disorders, and treatment for co-occurring issues. BPD and weed can be a damaging combination, so please let us offer alternative healing methods through Aliya’s rehab facilities.
- Borderline personality disorder among cannabis users and its association with demographic variables – ScienceDirect
- Borderline personality disorder: current drug treatments and future prospects – PMC
- Cannabis-Induced Psychosis: A Review
- Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress
- Targeting the Endocannabinoid System in Borderline Personality Disorder: Corticolimbic and Hypothalamic Perspectives – PubMed
- Mental Health – The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids – NCBI Bookshelf
