- Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by “cycling.” Patients can cycle between manic and depressive episodes at various paces, and these cycles can change their functioning, energy, and mood on a dime.
- Cannabis can be a life-changing treatment for people living with bipolar disorder. While it’s been the target of ample misinformation campaigns, cannabis remains a low-risk, highly customizable treatment option for people across the mental health spectrum.
- While getting a recommendation for medical marijuana for bipolar disorder in Louisiana can be slightly more difficult than it is for other patients, cannabis is still relatively accessible. With the right guidance, the process is simple.
People living with bipolar disorder often spend considerable time (possibly years) trying to find the perfect treatment path for their individual needs.
Unfortunately for many patients, the first-line treatments recommended by the Western model (pharmaceuticals and counseling) often don’t produce the long-term results they need to discover stability and healing.
Where should bipolar disorder patients at the end of their rope turn? In Louisiana, they can consider medical cannabis treatment.
We know what you’re thinking: “Weed makes you high—why would it be a good fit for someone with a mental health condition?” These are just two misconceptions we’ll clear up in the article below. We’ll also touch on how bipolar disorder patients in Louisiana can qualify for medical cannabis.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can cause shifts in:
- Concentration
- Energy level
- Activity
- Mood
These shifts take the form of “episodes”: prolonged periods of feeling and acting very “up” (manic episodes) and, conversely, feeling and acting very “down” (depressive episodes).
But “bipolar disorder” isn’t just one condition. There are three distinct types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar I disorder – People living with bipolar I typically experience manic episodes that last for seven days or more and depressive episodes that can last up to two weeks. These episodes can “cycle,” potentially multiple times each year. Patients who experience at least four episodes each year experience “rapid cycling.”
- Bipolar II disorder – Bipolar II patients typically experience a pattern like the one above; however, their manic episodes aren’t as severe. In cases of bipolar II, these are called “hypomanic episodes.” While they may not be as intense as those found in cases of bipolar I, hypomanic episodes can be debilitating.
- Cyclothymic disorder – People with cyclothymic disorder (also called “cyclothymia”) either experience less severe episodes or their episodes cycle too rapidly to qualify for a bipolar I or bipolar II diagnosis.
Life with Bipolar Disorder
What does all of this mean for people living with bipolar disorder? It means that their quality of life, wellness, functioning, and relationships can look very different at various points in time.
During depressive episodes, people may feel:
- Unmotivated
- Foggy
- Down, sad, blue, or numb
- Disinterested in their usual activities
During manic (or hypomanic) episodes, many patients experience:
- Intense stimulation
- Racing thoughts
- High alertness (and, thus, low desire to sleep)
- Intense food and drink cravings
Many people living with bipolar disorder spend time outside of an active episode—their functioning, energy levels, mood, and activity can level out. Patients seeking this kind of stasis long-term often turn to:
- Pharmaceuticals – Prescription drugs like lithium, carbamazepine, divalproex sodium, lamotrigine, and valproic acid can provide some relief for bipolar disorder patients.
- Counseling – Various counseling modalities (like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy) can help patients respond to stimuli and manage episodes in healthier ways.
However, these don’t work for every patient—or they may not provide enough relief.
How Medical Cannabis Can Benefit Bipolar Disorder Patients
In the face of often-ineffective Western medical treatments, bipolar disorder patients can consider alternatives—like medical cannabis.
Let’s debunk a few common misconceptions while explaining how medical marijuana can help patients:
- Not all marijuana gets you high – Cannabis contains numerous compounds—two of these are THC and CBD. THC is the only psychoactive component of cannabis, and many medical marijuana products contain little to no THC content. Products without THC (CBD-based products, for instance) can help balance mood, support healthy sleep, and improve energy regulation.
- Marijuana is very low-risk – Cannabis is not addictive. While people can develop dependence behaviors (e.g., letting cannabis use interfere with work, family obligations, and other functions) related to cannabis, this is true of just about any medicine.
Intentional use (characterized by medical supervision) can help patients prevent dependence behaviors. In addition, cannabis does not pose overdose risks. This simply isn’t true of lithium, lamotrigine, and other pharmaceuticals.
- Cannabis is customizable – In the throes of a depressive episode? Consider a more stimulating strain of cannabis. Trying to stop a manic episode in its tracks? Try a more calming strain. The sheer variety of medical marijuana varieties means that treatments can be much more customizable both for individual patients and quickly changing needs.
- Cannabis pairs well with multiple interventions – While patients should consult their providers before combining any formulas (prescribed or otherwise), cannabis can be safely combined with a wide variety of medications. Plus, it can serve as an excellent complement to counseling.
Not to mention that cannabis can help patients:
Simply put, people living with bipolar disorder could significantly improve their overall wellness outcomes with help from medical cannabis.
Do People with Bipolar Disorder Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Louisiana?
Can you qualify for medical cannabis for bipolar disorder in Louisiana?
It’s a little complicated. Let’s dive into the nuances.
- Providers have a lot of freedom – Louisiana’s cannabis laws state that healthcare providers can recommend medical cannabis treatment for any debilitating condition. While there is a list of qualifying conditions, providers ultimately can give patients access as long as they feel the patient is a good fit.
- Many providers can recommend medical cannabis – In Louisiana, any licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or medical psychologist can provide a recommendation for medical cannabis—the key to accessing the state’s network of cannabis pharmacies. So, bipolar patients dedicated to trying this alternative medicine can turn to a wide variety of providers for insight.
- Renewals complicate matters – Bipolar disorder can change your temperament, habits, and overall wellness fast. You might feel very differently during your first recommendation appointment than you do during your mandatory renewal appointment. Your provider may not always feel that you’re a good candidate for cannabis treatment.
In light of all of this, we recommend that people living with bipolar disorder take the following steps:
- Find the right provider – If you’ve spent any time trying to find the right match in the mental health counseling space, you know how difficult it can be to find a provider that you truly mesh with. Don’t be afraid to shop around for a medical cannabis healthcare provider who will commit to your care every step of the way—through every season and cycle.
- Maintain medical supervision – In Louisiana, your providers can take a relatively hands-off approach to medical cannabis treatment: You can choose to see them once per year for your renewal at most.
However, if you’re living with bipolar disorder, we recommend seeing your medical cannabis clinician with more regularity. This will help you build trust with your provider and get the advice you need to get results.
It will also help your provider get a more well-rounded view of your mental health condition—whether you’re up, down, or holding steady.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Recommendation in Louisiana
With the concerns and tips above in mind, how should bipolar disorder patients go about getting a medical marijuana recommendation in Louisiana?
- Find a provider – Not sure where to start on your search for a cannabis-informed, compassionate, and experienced provider? Start with TeleLeaf. Our telehealth model makes it easy to stay in touch with your clinician, and our providers have their fingers on the pulse of cannabis research and clinical applications.
- Get a recommendation – Once you find a provider you’re compatible with, talk through your day-to-day life and long-term progress. If your provider agrees that you’re a good fit for cannabis treatment, they’ll send a recommendation directly to the cannabis pharmacy closest to you.
- Head to the pharmacy – All that’s left to do after getting your recommendation is to head to the pharmacy, show your ID, and pick up the products you’d like to try.
Medical cannabis is relatively accessible in Louisiana; people living with bipolar disorder could use this to their advantage.
TeleLeaf: Your Source for Compassionate Cannabis Care
As someone living with bipolar disorder, you’re no stranger to struggle. Your medical cannabis provider shouldn’t be either.
At TeleLeaf, we know exactly where you are right now: Many of our patients have been stuck in the Western model while desperately seeking long-term healing. We’ve helped thousands of people unlock the therapeutic potential of medical marijuana, and we’re ready to help you, too.
Start your journey to bipolar disorder management on the right foot. Make an appointment with a TeleLeaf provider now.
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https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
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Dr. Chance Miller 
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