Can you use marijuana if you take Zoloft?

While cannabis may relieve some symptoms of depression, taking cannabis with Zoloft (known generically as sertraline) may increase your risk of experiencing side effects like drowsiness and, in rare cases, serotonin syndrome.

By understanding the potential interaction between cannabis and Zoloft, you can avoid side effects and manage your depression symptoms safely.

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What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is a prescription medication used to treat mental health disorders such as:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

How does Zoloft work?

Zoloft belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other common SSRIs include:

• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Celexa (citalopram)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)

These drugs increase the amount of a hormone called serotonin in your brain. Serotonin balances functions like:

• Mood
• Sleep
• Appetite
• Motivation

While Zoloft and other SSRIs may help with depression symptoms, they can also cause side effects, such as:

• Sweating
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Fainting
• Suicidal thoughts (especially at the beginning of treatment)

Your doctor will help you decide on a dosage plan that minimizes the risk of these side effects.

Is it safe to take Zoloft and weed?

Mixing Zoloft with cannabis might cause side effects, such as:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Insomnia

These risks depend on how much you take of each.

Both cannabis and Zoloft are broken down by enzymes in your liver. When taken alongside cannabis, Zoloft may take longer to process and leave your body. This can increase side effects and make the medication’s effects last for longer than desired.

In rare cases, you may develop serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition that occurs when serotonin levels are too high. Symptoms include:

• High fever
• Rapid heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Loss of muscle coordination
• General weakness
• Insomnia and panic attacks
• Agitation and confusion

Like Zoloft, cannabis may raise serotonin levels in your brain. One case study suggests that combining cannabis, especially in large doses, with SSRIs may put you at risk of serotonin syndrome. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Is it okay to take Zoloft and CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonintoxicating compound in cannabis. It’s commonly used for:

• Inflammation
• Anxiety
• Sleep
• Pain

Taking CBD with Zoloft may increase side effects like drowsiness.

Like other compounds in cannabis, CBD lowers levels of liver enzymes that help Zoloft break down in the body.

How to take Zoloft and cannabis

If you’re a cannabis user and your doctor has prescribed Zoloft, be sure to tell them about your cannabis use. They can help you come up with a safe dosage plan.

Here are some general safety tips for taking Zoloft and cannabis together:

• Start low and go slow: Start with a low dose of both cannabis and Zoloft. Slowly increase your cannabis dosage as needed until you reach your desired results. Only increase your Zoloft dosage as directed by your doctor.
• Be mindful of timing: Try taking cannabis and Zoloft at different times of day to reduce the risk of an interaction. Consider how long it takes for both substances to reach full effectiveness. Zoloft’s effects can peak in a few hours and last up to 24 hours. When inhaled, cannabis’s effects can peak in 30 minutes and last for a couple of hours. The effects of cannabis edibles can peak in 2 to 3 hours and last for up to 8 hours.
• Ask about other medications: If you’re taking other medications, ask your doctor about additional interaction risks.

The takeaway: Speak with your doctor before taking Zoloft and cannabis

Both Zoloft and cannabis may influence symptoms of depression. But taking them together can be dangerous.

Risks include increased side effects and, in rare cases, serotonin syndrome.

If you’re considering combining cannabis and Zoloft, ask your doctor or a Leafwell healthcare professional for guidance.

Resources

• Cannabinoids and cytochrome P450 interactions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26651971/
• Serotonin syndrome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377/
• Serotonin syndrome and cannabis: A case report. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10398562231219858
• Serotonin syndrome versus cannabis toxicity in the emergency department. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7220016/ 
• Sertraline. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547689/
• Sertraline tablets. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20089-sertraline-tablets