Can You Use Marijuana If You Take Lithium?

You should not use marijuana if you take lithium.

There are few studies on the effects of co-use of cannabis and lithium. However, the evidence that does exist suggests that using both at the same time could have negative effects, as cannabinoids such as CBD may increase the likelihood of lithium poisoning and reduce the liver’s ability to metabolize lithium. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the use of both where possible. Patients using prescription lithium should look into reducing their lithium intake (under medical supervision) if they are considering medical cannabis, based on current evidence.

What Is Lithium?

Lithium is an oral medication used as a mood stabilizer to treat bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and manic disorders. It can also help reduce aggressive, self-harming, and suicidal behaviors. It is available in either a tablet form or as a liquid.

To be prescribed lithium, you must be more than 12 years old and not have thyroid or kidney issues, as lithium can affect kidney and thyroid function. A doctor will usually take a blood sample to check this before prescribing lithium. You may also require an ECG to check your heart health before starting lithium treatment.

Lithium medications have side effects that include:

• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Gradual weight gain
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Mild tremors
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness

Don’t stop taking lithium suddenly or change your dose without discussing it with your doctor first, as doing so may be dangerous.

Uses and How It Works

The exact mechanism in which lithium works is not known, but we do know that it acts on the central nervous system by altering the release of chemicals in the brain.

Positive effects of lithium include:

• Inhibiting specific enzymes that stop cell growth.
• Increasing brain cell density in patients with bipolar disorder.
• Increasing concentration of certain neuronal markers of brain cell health.
• Protecting neurons (information messengers) against cell death.

Risks of Mixing Cannabis and Lithium

While using cannabis may help to relieve the side effects of lithium, the following risks negate any potential benefit of mixing these two substances. It’s simply not worth it.

Lithium Toxicity

Research has shown that mixing lithium and cannabis can result in lithium toxicity, which occurs when an overdose of lithium is consumed. CBD can interact with lithium to cause this toxicity. In severe cases, lithium toxicity can be fatal.

The kidneys excrete 95% of lithium, with the remaining 5% excreted through sweat and feces. As lithium is not metabolized, if too much is taken and the kidneys cannot excrete it fast enough, lithium will accumulate in the blood, increasing the risk of lithium toxicity.

Nausea and Vomiting

Co-use of lithium and cannabis may increase the likelihood of vomiting and/or nausea.

Potential Increase of Negative Side-Effects

Due to cannabis’, and in particular CBD’s, ability to desensitize liver enzymes that metabolize medications such as lithium, using both at the same time may increase the likelihood of negative side-effects.

Side Effects

If you mix lithium and cannabis, you may experience some of these side effects:

• Cardiac arrest
• Coma
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Hives
• Itching
• Palpitations
• Respiratory depression
• Seizures
• Shortness of breath
• Sluggishness

If you mix cannabis and lithium and experience these side effects, you must head straight to the emergency room or contact emergency services. These may be symptoms of lithium toxicity or another issue caused by an interaction between lithium and cannabis. If left untreated, this can be fatal.

What to Do If You Need to Use Both Lithium and Marijuana

If you wish to mix lithium and cannabis, discussing this with your doctor before you begin is essential. Your doctor can advise you on other possible treatment methods and talk you through all possible side effects and interactions.

If you are mixing cannabis and lithium, you need to be aware of the symptoms of lithium toxicity, as severe cases can be fatal. The symptoms of mild to moderate lithium toxicity include:

• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Stomach pains
• Tremors
• Uncontrollable movements
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Symptoms of severe lithium toxicity are:

• Agitation
• Coma
• Confusion
• Delirium
• Heightened reflexes
• Hyperthermia
• Kidney failure
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Uncontrollable eye movements

If you experience any of these symptoms after taking lithium and cannabis, you should contact your doctor or emergency services immediately.

The Bottom Line

Lithium is a medication used to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, manic disorders, and depressive disorders.

Care should be taken if using cannabis and lithium at the same time, as current evidence suggests that co-use may increase the chances of lithium toxicity. Although current evidence on possible contraindications between the two is limited, what little evidence we do have suggests that there is a negative reaction when cannabis (in partciular CBD) and lithium are combined.

As we do not know exactly what occurs when other cannabinoids like THC and THCV come into play as well, we should tread even more carefully.

There is some limited evidence that medical cannabis may reduce the need for some types of antipsychotics and medications like lithium, but we must stress that this evidence is still limited. Those who intend to utilize medical cannabis in such a way should certainly do so under medical supervision to mitigate the chances of negative side-effects.

Experience the potential health benefits of cannabis with a medical marijuana card. Speak with a Leafwell healthcare professional and start the application for your MMJ card today.