Does Weed Affect People with Borderline Personality Disorder?

Having borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a real struggle, which has led to some with the disorder experimenting with marijuana to cope with symptoms. While there is some evidence that smoking weed with BPD may not necessarily be damaging, or can even help the condition, there is also evidence pointing the other way. Moreover, smoking marijuana for BPD is still a form of self-medication — no substitute for proper treatment.

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?  

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness characterized by pervasive patterns of instability in mood, behavior, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. People with BPD often experience intense emotions, impulsivity, and difficulties maintaining stable relationships. The condition can significantly impact a person’s daily life and interactions. 

Living with BPD can be difficult – and it can be even harder to live with someone with it. This sort of person may experience an inability to feel joy and constantly fear abandonment and betrayal, lashing out at and alienating those around them. 

They may also engage in “splitting behavior:” seeing people, situations, or oneself as entirely “good” or entirely “bad” with little room for nuance or middle ground. This black-and-white thinking is a defense mechanism used to manage emotional pain and uncertainty. 

Cannabis Use in the Context of Mental Health  

Marijuana can and has been used for its purported mental health benefits for decades. However, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to the topic. A key point to note is marijuana is composed of two chemicals: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  

THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high.” It can bring pain relief, appetite stimulation, and nausea reduction but also cause anxiety or paranoia. CBD is non-psychoactive and valued for its calming, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, making it ideal for therapeutic use without intoxication.  

This can make marijuana a double-edged sword when it comes to its mental health benefits. Aside from exacerbating anxiety or depression, marijuana can actually worsen latent schizophrenic tendencies. This is mainly due to the THC. 

When it comes to CBD, there is more evidence of its utility, but it’s still not decisive yet. For example, when it comes to anxiety disorders, the data is inconsistent due to the varying doses and differences in THC vs CBD content, as well as differences in administration. 

Does Weed Help With BPD?

Weed and BPD may seem like a bad combination at first glance, but there’s actually reason to believe cannabis – or at least its CBD content – can help with BPD symptoms.  

For example, it’s possible that low doses of cannabis or CBD itself can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and PTSD. Early research suggests that CBD may help with symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, and impulsivity. One study found that six out of seven participants reported significant BPD symptom improvement after using medical marijuana with varying THC and CBD ratios. Obviously, this was a very small sample size; more research is needed. 

However, it’s important to note that the effects of cannabis on BPD can be complex and varied. While some individuals may find relief from certain symptoms, the use of cannabis can also exacerbate other aspects of the disorder, such as dissociation.  

Additionally, the long-term effects of cannabis use on the course of BPD are not well understood, and there is a risk of developing cannabis dependence or addiction. Careful consideration and monitoring are necessary when using cannabis as a potential treatment for BPD.