Xanax and Cannabis: An Imperfect and Dangerous Combination
Regardless of whether it’s a prescription medication, an herbal supplement, or illicit drugs, there will always be some expected side effects from it. This is especially true if you try to combine two different substances together, resulting in drug interactions that can adversely affect your body. One such potent combination is the mixture of cannabis and Xanax, which is a prescription medicine used to treat anxiety disorders. In this guide, we delve into the dangers of mixing the two substances and why you shouldn’t even attempt to use them both simultaneously.
The Dangers of Mixing Cannabis and Xanax
Using a drug like Xanax along with cannabis can be a grave mistake. The combination of cannabis and Xanax ensures a potent reaction that can create a variety of physical and mental problems. Mixing these two substances can also produce unpredictable and dangerous side effects and symptoms that can impair your health as well as your general wellbeing.
The acute effects of mixing cannabis and Xanax can last from 8 to 12 hours. The combined effects of the two drugs can induce a variety of side effects and symptoms, which can be felt on the body and mind. These include:
1. CNS Depressant Effects
The combination of cannabis and Xanax would lead to a dual depressant effect. A combination of two depressants is considered one of the riskiest combinations since they can lower the body’s vital functions and body temperature. This is good to know, especially if a medical emergency happens and your body’s vital functions need to be restored at some point.
2. Fatigue and Drowsiness
Both marijuana and Xanax can cause drowsiness and decreased nervous system function. These effects are amplified when you combine the two recreational drugs, resulting in more fatigue and drowsiness. This can be a good thing if you’re looking to go to bed early or sleep for quite a bit because of the calming effect that marijuana can give you.
3. Problems with Memory
One of the most common effects of mixing cannabis with Xanax is that it can impair your memory. Marijuana can make you forgetful, and you may experience a state of confusion and disorientation. This can be good for some people who need to relax and at the same time forget about some things, but it’s not so helpful if your job requires you to have a good memory.
4. Decreased Coordination
This is common to people who have taken too much Xanax, resulting in a state of physical and mental impairment. If you mix cannabis and Xanax, you can experience a loss of coordination and muscle movement. This is good to know, especially if you have to drive or operate heavy machinery for your work.
5. Increased Heart Rate and Anxiety
The emotional aspects of mixing marijuana and Xanax can be exasperated. You may experience an increase in anxiety and stress that can result in panic attacks. You may be prone to cause harm to yourself and those around you since you may think that you’re in danger.
6. Dry Mouth and Dizziness
The combination of cannabis and Xanax can also cause dry mouth and dizziness – two effects that are usually present in Xanax. This can be especially dangerous when you’re behind the wheel and driving because you may become dizzy and lose your balance.
7. Feelings of Tingling or Burning Sensations
People who have taken cannabis and Xanax may experience a tingling or burning sensation of the skin. This is the interaction of the two drugs that potentiate the effect of each drug.
8. Increased Appetite
Marijuana can actually cause a loss in appetite, but the combination of cannabis and Xanax can cause an increase in appetite. You’re likely to experience an increase in appetite that can lead to eating more junk food or wanting to snack on something.
Overdose
At this point, you’re probably aware of the dangers of mixing Xanax and cannabis. But what happens if you take more of the drug? What happens when you take too much of these two drugs?
When you take too much Xanax or cannabis, you run the risk of experiencing an overdose. Overdose is usually caused by the combination of both drugs, which can lead to the following effects:
- Severe Drowsiness
- Affection Loss
- Trouble with Speaking
- Confusion
- A Feeling of Euphoria or Overconfidence
- Sedation or Drowsiness
- Difficulty in Walking
- Increased Appetite
- A Lot of Vomiting
- Severe Low Blood Pressure
- Coma
The danger of mixing marijuana and Xanax is that you can easily overdose on these drugs. If you take more than the recommended dosage, you can experience problems with breathing, which can be dangerous. This can lead to respiratory failure, which is the final stage of an overdose. If you feel that you’re not getting the desired effect from mixing Xanax and cannabis, you should stop at once and seek medical attention.
Xanax and Its Known Effects
Xanax (Alprazolam) is one of the most widely known and prescribed medicines for anxiety. It’s a benzodiazepine drug that works as a sedative and anxiolytic. It’s indicated for the short-term treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. It’s also used for the side effects of withdrawal from the use of alcohol and prescription pain relievers. The drug works by affecting the neurotransmitters in your brain and increasing the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter that is responsible for relieving anxiety and panic attacks.
Xanax is also widely abused and is considered one of the most addictive substances in the market today. Essentially, the drug is known to interact with specific receptors in the brain to trigger GABA, the neurotransmitter responsible for reduced anxiety. When these receptors bind to GABA, they produce a calming effect that makes the user feel relaxed and at ease. Other effects of taking Xanax include a decrease in blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and drowsiness.
Cannabis and Its Known Effects
Cannabis is one of the most widely used substances for recreational and medicinal purposes. Cannabis or marijuana is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, and it contains the psychoactive component known as THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. Marijuana contains over 100 active ingredients that have a wide range of effects depending on the quantity and quality of the marijuana.
THC acts on your brain’s cannabinoid receptors, which can lead to some form of behavioral or cognitive impairment. The compound binds to these receptors, which are located in the central nervous system, and affects memory, coordination, concentration, and thinking. Cannabidiol, on the other hand, is responsible for relieving pain, reducing inflammation and anxiety, and improving mood. The effects of both THC and CBD are often interchanged, and the user can feel like they’re experiencing both effects when they’re actually experiencing one or the other.
The effects of cannabis vary widely depending on the form in which it is taken. Smoking will have a quicker effect compared to eating or drinking it. Smoking cannabis usually brings about a sense of calmness, euphoria, and relaxation that marijuana smokers often crave for. On the other hand, eating or drinking cannabis or edibles would induce a more mellow, relaxed, and tranquil feeling.
Treating and Preventing Overdose
Treating an overdose caused by the combination of Xanax and cannabis is a matter of calling for medical help. Doctors may need to revive you with a shot of adrenaline, which has been known to reverse the effects of an overdose. This is one of the most effective ways of dealing with an overdose, and you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you’re the one who accidentally took too much Xanax and cannabis, it’s important to stay calm and seek medical attention. One of the most important things that you need to do is to stay calm and ensure that you’re breathing properly. If you’re not breathing, you need to make sure that you are breathing properly. You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Cannabis and Xanax are two substances that can be used on their own. They each have a different effect, and they can be used for different reasons. Mixing the two can be risky and can also lead to a negative outcome. If you want to use cannabis, you should use it responsibly, as this would help you maintain your general health and wellbeing.