carbidopa and Weed
Edited by Hugh Soames
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carbidopa and Weed
Most people who consume marijuana do so for its mood-altering and relaxing abilities. Weed gives people a high and allows them to relax. However, heavy consumption of weed can cause unwanted results. It can increase the anxiety and depression a person experiences, and it can interact with certain other drugs including carbidopa. It is important to remember that interactions do occur with all types of drugs, to a great or lesser extent and this article details the interactions of mixing carbidopa and Weed.
Mixing carbidopa and Weed
Carbidopa (Lodosyn) is a drug given to people with Parkinson’s disease in order to inhibit peripheral metabolism of levodopa. This property is significant in that it allows a greater proportion of administered levodopa to cross the blood–brain barrier for central nervous system effect, instead of being peripherally metabolised into substances unable to cross said barrier.
Carbidopa inhibits aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (DOPA decarboxylase or DDC), an enzyme important in the biosynthesis of L-tryptophan to serotonin and in the biosynthesis of L-DOPA to dopamine (DA). DDC exists both outside of (body periphery) and within the confines of the blood–brain barrier.
Carbidopa is used in the treatment of, among other diseases, Parkinson’s disease (PD), a condition characterized by death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Increased dopamine availability may increase the effectiveness of the remaining neurons and alleviate symptoms for a time. The pharmacologic objective is to get an exogenous dopamine-precursor known as levodopa/L-DOPA into the dopamine-deficient brains of PD patients. Levodopa/L-DOPA can cross the blood–brain barrier, but dopamine cannot. The use of carbidopa seems counter-intuitive in Parkinson’s disease (PD) in that it prevents DDC conversion of levodopa/L-DOPA to dopamine. However, exogenously provided, levadopa/L-DOPA gets metabolized peripherally to its active metabolite dopamine before reaching the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, the PD brain, which is deficient in dopamine, will not receive as much of its prodrug precursor levodopa/L-DOPA due to peripheral DDC breakdown. However, carbidopa can decrease peripheral DDC conversion of levodopa/L-DOPA before it crosses the blood–brain barrier. Carbidopa acts as a peripheral DDC inhibitor, as carbidopa, itself, cannot cross the blood–brain barrier. In other words, carbidopa has no effect on brain DDC conversion of levodopa/L-DOPA to dopamine. Ultimately, a greater proportion of the exogenously provided levodopa/L-DOPA reaches the brain. Commercially, carbidopa/levodopa combinations are available in the treatment of central dopamine deficiencies.
Along with carbidopa, other DDC inhibitors are benserazide (Ro-4-4602), difluoromethyldopa, and α-methyldopa.
Carbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, is a white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 244.3. It is designated chemically as N-amino-α-methyl-3-hydroxy-L-tyrosine monohydrate. Its empirical formula is C10H14N2O4•H2O. Used in tandem with L-DOPA (also known as levodopa, a dopamine precursor converted in the body to dopamine), it increases the plasma half-life of levodopa from 50 minutes to 1½ hours. CarbiDOPA cannot cross the blood–brain barrier, so it inhibits only peripheral DDC. It thus prevents the conversion of L-DOPA to dopamine peripherally. This reduces the side effects caused by dopamine on the periphery, as well as increasing the concentration of L-DOPA and dopamine in the brain.
The combination of carbidopa/levodopa carries the brand names of Kinson, Sinemet, Pharmacopa and Atamet; while Stalevo is a combination with entacapone, which enhances the bioavailability of carbidopa and levodopa.
Carbidopa is most commonly used as a method to inhibit the activity of dopamine decarboxylase. This is an enzyme that breaks down L-Dopa in the periphery and converts it to dopamine. This results in the newly formed dopamine being unable to cross the blood–brain barrier and the effectiveness of L-Dopa treatments is greatly decreased. Carbidopa reduces the amount of levodopa required to produce a given response by about 75% and, when administered with levodopa, increases both plasma levels and the plasma half-life of levodopa, and decreases plasma and urinary dopamine and homovanillic acid. Elimination half-life of levodopa in the presence of carbidopa is about 1.5 hours. Following SINEMET CR, the apparent half-life of levodopa may be prolonged because of continuous absorption. This is extremely useful in the treatment of Parkinsons disease symptoms because the amount of levodopa administered to the patient can be greatly reduced. This reduction in dosage is extremely useful due to the side effects that may occur from an overdose of L-Dopa within the body.
Carbidopa is also used in combination with 5-HTP, a naturally occurring amino acid which is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and an intermediate in tryptophan metabolism. Carbidopa, which is used in PD to prevent conversion of the levodopa to dopamine, prevents 5-Hydroxytryptophan’s (5-HTP) metabolism in the liver and causes decreased levels of serotonin
in the blood. Research shows that co-administration of 5-HTP and carbidopa greatly increases plasma 5-HTP levels. Several cases of scleroderma-like illness have been reported in patients using carbidopa and 5-HTP. In Europe, 5-HTP is prescribed with carbidopa to prevent the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin until it reaches the brain.
The synthesis begins with a modified Strecker reaction using hydrazine and potassium cyanide on arylacetone (1) to give 2. This is then hydrolyzed with cold HCl to give carboxamide 3. More vigorous hydrolysis with 48% HBr cleaves the amide bond and the aryl ether group to produce carbidopa (4).
Research has found that anxiety is one of the leading symptoms created by marijuana in users, and that there is a correlation between carbidopa and Weed and an increase in anxiety.
Anyone mixing carbidopa and weed is likely to experience side effects. This happens with all medications whether weed or carbidopa is mixed with them. Side effects can be harmful when mixing carbidopa and weed. Doctors are likely to refuse a patient a carbidopa prescription if the individual is a weed smoker or user. Of course, this could be due to the lack of studies and research completed on the mixing of carbidopa and Weed.
Heavy, long-term weed use is harmful for people. It alters the brain’s functions and structure, and all pharmaceuticals and drugs including carbidopa are designed to have an impact on the brain. There is a misplaced belief that pharmaceuticals and medication work by treating only the parts of the body affected yet this is obviously not the case in terms of carbidopa. For example, simple painkiller medication does not heal the injury, it simply interrupts the brains functions to receive the pain cause by the injury. To say then that two drugs, carbidopa and Weed, dol not interact is wrong. There will always be an interaction between carbidopa and Weed in the brain11.J. D. Brown and A. G. Winterstein, Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/.
One of the milder side effects of mixing carbidopa and Weed is Scromiting. This condition, reportedly caused by mixing carbidopa and Weed, describes a marijuana-induced condition where the user experiences episodes of violent vomiting, which are often so severe and painful that they cause the person to scream. The medical term for Scromiting by mixing carbidopa and Weed is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS. For these reasons, some people choose to quit smoking weed.
It was first included in scientific reports in 2004. Since then, researchers have determined that Scromiting is the result of ongoing, long-term use of marijuana—particularly when the drug contains high levels of THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient. Some experts believe that the receptors in the gut become overstimulated by THC, thus causing the repeated cycles of vomiting.
In the long run, a person can become even more depressed. There is a belief that marijuana is all-natural and not harmful to a person’s health. This is not true and carbidopa and weed can cause health issues the more a person consumes it.
How does Weed effect the potency of carbidopa?
The way in which the body absorbs and process carbidopa may be affected by weed. Therefore, the potency of the carbidopa may be less effective. Marijuana inhibits the metabolization of carbidopa. Not having the right potency of carbidopa means a person may either have a delay in the relief of their underlying symptoms.
A person seeking carbidopa medication that uses weed should speak to their doctor. It is important the doctor knows about a patient’s weed use, so they can prescribe the right carbidopa medication and strength. Or depending on level of interactions they may opt to prescribe a totally different medication. It is important for the doctor to know about their patient’s marijuana use. Weed is being legalized around the US, so doctors should be open to speaking about a patient’s use of it.
Sideffects of carbidopa and Weed
Many individuals may not realize that there are side effects and consequences to mixing carbidopa and Weed such as:
- Dizziness
- Sluggishness
- Drowsiness
- Shortness of breath
- Itching
- Hives
- Palpitations
- Respiratory Depression
- Cardiac Arrest
- Coma
- Seizures
- Death
Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect mixing this substance with Weed will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix carbidopa and Weed due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects. If you are having an adverse reaction from mixing carbidopa and Weed it’s imperative that you head to your local emergency room. Even mixing a small amount of carbidopa and Weed is not recommended.
Taking carbidopa and Weed together
People who take carbidopa and Weed together will experience the effects of both substances. Technically, the specific effects and reactions that occur due to frequent use of carbidopa and weed depend on whether you consume more weed in relation to carbidopa or more carbidopa in relation to weed.
The use of significantly more weed and carbidopa will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both weed and carbidopa may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from carbidopa and Weed
- dizziness from Weed and carbidopa
- nausea and vomiting due to carbidopa and Weed
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of weed and carbidopa leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Mixing weed and carbidopa
The primary effect of weed is influenced by an increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the spinal cord and brain stem, and by a reduction in its effect on neuronal transmitters. When weed is combined with carbidopa this primary effect is exaggerated, increasing the strain on the body with unpredictable results.
Weed and carbidopa affects dopamine levels in the brain, causing the body both mental and physical distress. Larger amounts of carbidopa and weed have a greater adverse effect yet leading medical recommendation is that smaller does of carbidopa can be just as harmful and there is no way of knowing exactly how carbidopa and weed is going to affect an individual before they take it.
Taking carbidopa and weed together
People who take carbidopa and weed together will experience the effects of both substances. The use of significantly more carbidopa with weed will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both weed and carbidopa may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from carbidopa and weed
- dizziness from weed and carbidopa
- nausea and vomiting of the carbidopa
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of weed and carbidopa leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Weed Vs carbidopa
Taking carbidopa in sufficient quantities increases the risk of a heart failure. Additionally, people under the influence of carbidopa and weed may have difficulty forming new memories. With weed vs carbidopa in an individual’s system they become confused and do not understand their environment. Due to the synergistic properties of carbidopa when mixed with weed it can lead to confusion, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic use of carbidopa and weed can lead to permanent changes in the brain22.G. Lafaye, L. Karila, L. Blecha and A. Benyamina, Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5741114/.
carbidopa Vs Weed
Studies investigating the effects of drugs such as carbidopa and weed have shown that the potential for parasomnia (performing tasks in sleep) is dramatically increased when carbidopa and weed are combined. Severe and dangerous side effects can occur when medications are mixed in the system, and sleep disorders are a common side effect of taking weed and carbidopa together.
When a small to medium amount of weed is combined with carbidopa, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can occur. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most ER visits and hospitalizations caused by too much weed were associated with other substances such as carbidopa.
How long after taking carbidopa can I smoke weed or take edibles?
To avoid any residual toxicity it is advisable to wait until the carbidopa has totally cleared your system before taking weed, even in small quantities.
Overdose on carbidopa and weed
In the case of Overdose on carbidopa or if you are worried after mixing carbidopa and weed, call a first responder or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room immediately.
If you are worried about someone who has taken too much carbidopa or mixed weed with carbidopa then call a first responder or take them to get immediate medical help. The best place for you or someone you care about in the case of a medical emergency is under medical supervision. Be sure to tell the medical team that there is a mix of carbidopa and weed in their system.
Excessive Weed intake and result in scromiting, chs, and anxiety disorder. It is advisable to quit vaping weed if you are feeling these symptoms.
Mixing carbidopa and weed and antidepressants
Weed users feeling depressed and anxious may be prescribed antidepressant medication. There are some antidepressant users who also use carbidopa and weed. These individuals may not realize that there are side effects and consequences to consuming both carbidopa, marijuana and a range of antidepressants.
Studies on weed, carbidopa and antidepressants is almost nil. The reason for so little information on the side effects of the two is mostly down to marijuana being illegal in most places – although a number of states in the United States have legalized the drug.
Self-medicating with Weed and carbidopa
A lot of people suffer from depression caused by weed and carbidopa. How many? According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), in any given year, it is estimated that nearly 16 million adults experience depression. Unfortunately, that number is likely to be wrong due to under reporting. Many people do not report suffering from depression because they do not want to be looked at as suffering from a mental illness. The stigmas around mental health continue and people do not want to be labeled as depressed.
Potential side effects from mixing carbidopa and weed
Quitting weed to take carbidopa
Medical professionals say an individual prescribed or taking carbidopa should not stop using weed cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms can be significant. Heavy pot users should especially avoid going cold turkey. The side effects of withdrawal from weed include anxiety, irritability, loss of sleep, change of appetite, and depression by quitting weed cold turkey and starting to take carbidopa.
A person beginning to use carbidopa should cut back on weed slowly. While reducing the amount of weed use, combine it with mindfulness techniques and/or yoga. Experts stress that non-medication can greatly improve a person’s mood.
Weed and carbidopa can affect a person in various ways. Different types of marijuana produce different side effects. Side effects of weed and carbidopa may include:
- loss of motor skills
- poor or lack of coordination
- lowered blood pressure
- short-term memory loss
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- anxiety
- paranoia
- increased energy
- increased motivation
Mixing carbidopa and weed can also produce hallucinations in users. This makes marijuana a hallucinogenic for some users. Weed creates different side effects in different people, making it a very potent drug. Now, mixing carbidopa or other mental health drugs with weed can cause even more unwanted side effects.
Mixing drugs and weed conclusion
Long-term weed use can make depression and anxiety worse. In addition, using marijuana can prevent carbidopa from working to their full potential33.J. D. Brown and A. G. Winterstein, Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/. Weed consumption should be reduced gradually to get the most out of prescription medication. Marijuana is a drug and it is harmful to individual’s long-term health. Weed has many side effects and the consequences are different to each person who uses it, especially when mixed with carbidopa.
If you take carbidopa, and also drink Alcohol or MDMA, you can research the effects of carbidopa and Alcohol , carbidopa and Cocaine as well as carbidopa and MDMA here.
To find the effects of other drugs and weed refer to our Weed and Other Drugs Index A to L or our Weed and Other Drugs Index M-Z.
Or you could find what you are looking for in our Alcohol and Interactions with Other Drugs index A to L or Alcohol and Interactions with Other Drugs index M to Z , Cocaine and Interactions with Other Drugs index A to L or Cocaine and Interactions with Other Drugs index M to Z or our MDMA and Interactions with Other Drugs Index A to L or MDMA and Interactions with Other Drugs Index M to Z.
carbidopa and Weed
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