Antidepressant use in America is on the rise, with one estimate showing a 400% increase between 1988 and 2008. At the same time, more people than ever have access to medical cannabis.
Yet, with millions of adults using Prozac or cannabis (or both) in search of relief from depression symptoms, there is surprisingly limited research on how the two interact.
Find natural, lasting relief with our comprehensive (and completely free) patient’s guide to medical cannabis for stress and anxiety.
What is Prozac?
Prozac is the brand name of the antidepressant fluoxetine.
Fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Research suggests that serotonin plays a key role in regulating mood. Similarly, depression has been linked to a lack of available serotonin in the brain. SSRI medications work by preventing the body from reabsorbing serotonin, making more of it available to send messages to the brain and regulate a person’s mood.
Prozac is approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and bulimia. Other conditions for which it may commonly be prescribed include binge eating disorder, social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, borderline personality disorder, Raynaud phenomenon, and selective mutism.1
Mixing Prozac and Marijuana: What the Latest Research Says
Though self-medicating for depression and anxiety with cannabis isn't something doctors or experts would recommend, it is something some people do, which leads to the possibility of interactions with the medications typically prescribed for these conditions. While research on these interactions is far from complete, there are recent studies that shed some light on the matter.
In a 2022 survey of 530 active MMJ patients, more than two-thirds of respondents reported that they were able to cease or reduce the use of one or more pharmaceutical treatments since starting to use medical cannabis. However, anecdotal evidence isn’t the same as rigorous scientific study, and this is not an indication of how safe or effective combining these substances is.
The studies conducted are too small to draw definitive conclusions, according to Daniele Piomelli, Ph.D., the director of the University of California, Irvine’s Center for the Study of Cannabis. Additionally, antidepressant dosage often requires fine-tuning, and, “Because cannabis products aren't regulated by the FDA, you can't count on consistency.”
The first reported incident of an interaction between medical marijuana and Prozac dates back to 1991. According to the report, an individual experienced a brief mild manic episode as a result of combining cannabis with Prozac.2
Other risks of combining Prozac with cannabis may include an increased chance of experiencing adverse side effects like dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, and drowsiness.
More specifically, there is a risk related to the combination of SSRI medications and cannabis. SSRI medications aim to increase serotonin levels in the brain, and some evidence suggests that cannabis may affect the way the body metabolizes them. As a result, some experts believe that using cannabis with SSRIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition resulting from too much serotonin in the brain.
Are You Considering Using Cannabis and Prozac?
Combining cannabis with any substance or medication carries its own risks. Research on cannabis is still in its earliest stages, and there is a lot that researchers still don't know. That leaves the door open for unexpected interactions with other substances. If you are considering combining cannabis with any other substance or medication, speak to your doctor for proper medical guidance.
Likewise, stopping use of a prescribed medication can lead to unintended consequences. Many medications take time to build up in the body. Stopping suddenly can cause unpleasant and potentially serious or even fatal side-effects. If you'd like to stop using or replace a medication, you need to follow the guidance of your medical provider to make any approved adjustments safely.
Find natural, lasting relief with our comprehensive (and completely free) patient’s guide to medical cannabis for stress and anxiety.
Resources
- Sohel AJ, Shutter MC, Molla M. Fluoxetine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459223/ ↩︎
- Stoll AL, Cole JO, Lukas SE. A case of mania as a result of fluoxetine-marijuana interaction. J Clin Psychiatry. 1991;52(6):280-281. ↩︎
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
