Breaking the Brain Clog: Wisdom on Marijuana and Mental Health

Is marijuana really helping, or could it be holding you back? In this episode, a seasoned mental health therapist opens up about the real-life struggles and triumphs of three clients battling marijuana dependency. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares personal stories that reveal the insidious effects of both medical and recreational use—what he calls “brain clog”—and explores why breaking free is so challenging yet absolutely possible.

Key takeaways:

- Regular marijuana use can fuel anxiety, depression, and loss of motivation.
- True recovery starts with recognizing addiction’s hold—and fighting for clarity and freedom.
- Supportive approaches (not confrontation) are crucial when helping loved ones consider change.

Tune in to hear honest insights from inside the therapy room—and discover hope for transformation if you or someone you love is struggling.
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#Marijuana use #Medical marijuana #Cannabis addiction #Substance abuse recovery #Vaping risks #Brain fog from marijuana

An issue has been weighing heavy on my mind of late, as I'm reflecting on three clients that I've been working with. One for about a year and a half now, another about six months, and the other about three months. And it has to do with the issue of marijuana. I'm going to try to restrain myself as much as possible in this podcast, but I'm telling you, I... I have issues with that drug. I have seen how destructive it can be, how insidious it can be, and it just takes over the brain. I call it brain clog.

Every single one of these three clients that I recently been working with are regular users, users of pot, medical marijuana. One's just illicit marijuana, the other two are medical marijuana. Let me first tell you about a client I started working with a year and a half ago. She went through a very difficult divorce, and so she was struggling with anxiety and couldn't sleep, and so her doctor prescribed medical marijuana. And I said, well, I remember in my interview with her, I said, so what did he prescribe? How long? He gave me a prescription for a year. And I go, what? No, a year? One year? And this drug has taken over my life.

And she had been using it at the time we began therapy for three years daily. And she had gotten to the point where her brain had taken over her mind and she could not go more than two hours without using. And yet her presentation to me, when she would check in, I said, how you doing? Physically, emotionally, spiritually? Physically, just... I feel anxiety throughout my body. Emotionally, I'm depressed and worried about everything. And anyway... And her desire was to get off of this substance, and yet she was so fearful, she didn't believe she could do it. She would say things like, "I don't think I can function without it." And the two other clients that I've been recently working with, they say the same thing, but it takes them a while to even get there because their brain—their physical brain (and the mind and the brain are different)—because their physical brain is so addicted to this substance and uses it as a crutch so much that they will avoid anything that might suggest that they stop using the drug.

The beast—what I call the beast part of the brain—that limbic part of the brain is like it's attached to it. It's connected its needs. Saying: "This is a survival thing." It's a lie. It's not a survival thing. But... And here's the thing that just burned in my mind: the physical presentation of each one of these clients—they all mirror each other perfectly. They are emotionally unstable. Their emotions go up and down. They cry instantly. One minute they're crying; one minute they're kind of pulled together; the next minute they're crying; the next minute they pull it together—or they can't control their behavior.

Two are female; one's male. The male cannot control himself whatsoever and gets in physical altercations all the time. And I'm serious. And if you were to see their presentation when I'm doing zoom sessions with them—they look exactly the same: this forlorn look on their face of horror, of terror, of being stuck, of being afraid, of having zero motivation to do anything.

And the one client—you know—I says... So she was able to hold down a job; the other two are not able to work. The guy is working off and on but very unstable in his employment. But this other—my first client—she really was responsible and was able to hold down a job and was functioning. But she says: "I have to use every two hours—even when I go to work—I go to the bathroom and I'm hiding it." And "I live in fear of being caught or if..." Anyway—it's just—the anxiety: she's driving with it; she's driving high all the time; and it just creates tons of anxiety.

Anyway... Any who might be using this substance—I would ask you to seriously consider doing whatever you can to get off of it and to find some other way to deal with your issues because it does not take anxiety away—it actually fuels anxiety.

And this one client that I've been working with for a year and a half—who was using for three years—long story short: she has been completely sober from marijuana for—I think—a year and three months right now. In my session with her this last week—she is a completely 100% transformed person: she's vibrant; she thinks clear; her job is going well; she is now in a committed relationship with a wonderful guy—they have connected—they're both in their mid-30s—thinking that the opportunity for true love had passed them by—but because of the clarity of her mind—and some decisions that she made—has led her to this individual through a series of different choices where she was willing to take a risk on dating—where before in her pot mind—she never would have done that in a million years.

So we talked about that—and she said: "I will never ever go back to that again." And it was challenging for her to get off because she was living with her sister & brother-in-law who used regularly—and so the drug was always there.

So I want you to know that it's absolutely possible—but she truly desired to get off of it—and so we focused on making the signal—that signal stronger than the noise of all the triggers and temptations—and there were times when she did pick up the pipe—and she was just about ready to use—and then she thought about our sessions—she thought about what she really wanted: "What is the signal? I want to be clean and sober; I want to get my life back." And then she put it down—and absolutely—her mind was able to manage her brain—and tell her body—to put that down before ingesting the drug.

And I'm telling you—she just said: "I'll never go back to that ever—that literally almost destroyed my life." And these other two clients that I'm dealing with right now—they're still stuck in the middle of it—they're resistant—to any slight suggestion from me that they might—and have to be so gentle with this—and if any of you listening to this podcast are using pot—pay attention.

Pay attention—to your thoughts towards what I'm saying—that you're angry—that I'm stupid—that I don't know what I'm talking about—I need it—my doctor has prescribed it—yada yada yada yada—I’ve heard all those—a million times—I’ve heard those all—just telling you there's a better way.

Except for very few cases of people maybe at end-of-life—and they simply are in so much pain—that this can help them—90% of the time when this drug is prescribed there could be something much better—that yeah—it might take away some pain—but problem is there's 50 other things that it does in your brain—to clog your cognitive capacity up—and your higher thinking ability—to deal with things—and it just zaps motivation—it zaps your desire—to do anything different.

Thinking of session I had—with wonderful young lady yesterday—she's in her mid-20s—hasn’t worked for two years—she’s been using pot regularly forever—she vapes on regular basis.

Vaping is another thing—that I would encourage you—with all my soul—to stay away from that—I’ve seen two individuals—in last six eight months—have most adverse reaction—to vaping where they ended up—in emergency room—their stomach felt like—it was on fire—they said—it was worst experience they've ever had in their life—it’s like they ingested something where their stomach was being eaten alive—and they couldn’t do anything about it.

So—the insidious nature of these drugs—what they do—is they take over—the brain—the physical brain—is issue; your mind & your brain are different things: your brain is physical hardwired gray matter thing inside your skull; your mind is thinking intelligent force full of energy & life & that's part when we die leaves our body & goes on to next life.

The mind has capacity—to literally change—the brain—you do have capacity—to restrain & refrain from acting on impulses—to pick up & use drug—I just don’t know how say any clearer—

If there's anything... If you... If you are using these substances—I just implore you—to look at other options...

I... Okay... I've been licensed mental health therapist for... How many years now anyway? 35-40 years—I’d have count up—but somewhere around there okay—a long time—thousands hours counseling—and honestly say—I do not have one memory an individual who is regularly using marijuana who is doing well all around in life—I don’t have one memory—and hundreds experiences individuals who were regularly using & trying deal with it whose life is all glumpy & messed up & full anxiety & depression & worry & doubt & fear & legal issues & on & on...

Because—it can be very easily gateway drug—to other things—even cause more challenges...

But—I want leave this podcast—with this one client who—is now vibrant & healthy...

And she said—to me last week: "I never thought in million years—I could actually do it—and my life is totally transformed—I will never go back there."

She is vibrant; She is full life...

I promise each one us—a year from now—their are million different potential versions ourselves...

Whatever self will appear—in one year from now—is directly related—to decisions/choices—we make today every single day every moment thereafter...

And there are better ways deal anxiety/depression/difficulties than trying use substances—that have negative side effects...

Anyway—it’s been heavy my mind—as I've been dealing these three clients—the one doing amazing—the other two—their lives completely out control right now...

Suicidal ideation… hopeful we can get through period time but... But they got find signal inside them says “Yeah—I really want/desire be free/clear brain clog”—and first accepting reality—that’s where brain clog comes from...

I know it's possible... I've seen it... But—you gotta fight—for your life—you gotta fight—for your mental health...

And I'm thinking quote Abraham Lincoln gave—in one speeches says—we're all wrestling (I'm paraphrasing) but constant wrestle between eternal struggle right/wrong freedom/slavery...

And these substances I've seen—they don’t help us—they don’t help us be free—they keep us chained down...

And when we become free them—the life that can present itself—to you & loved ones—is possible—it’s incredible...

And if you have loved one that's using—you gotta be very careful/gentle how approach subject/timing important/can't come across force/yelling/screaming at them because just entrenches power addiction further—they'll hang onto drug/gotta be mindful/aware moment when perfect moment say “Hey maybe there's different way maybe different option than picking up/smoking”...

But I'm just telling—from my experience—you take for what it's worth because what I do as therapist/I talk people closed environments where really tell what's going on/have not seen/just not seen cases medical marijuana really long run helpful because tremendous side effects/brain clog/drug lays out physical brain/blocks thinking capacity higher functioning neocortex/prefrontal cortex...

So change possible—but change is change—and sometimes we just have make decision/choice say “This what I'm going do/this what I'm not going do”—free will/free won’t--there consequences decisions we make--there just are consequences--so need mindful/aware/we responsible ourselves--look mirror/be honest yourself--just encourage for find truth within yourself/live best possible life can…

Okay that's all… Just sorry I've rambling on about but weighed heavily on my mind/just so frustrated what I've seen/how easily doctors prescribe this drug/doesn't help vast majority cases—not saying never helps—but saying from what I've seen—increases anxiety/increases depression/increases need use more/more/more till chained down/to this drug/don't think clearly…