Frequent Panic Attacks and Brain Fog

2025-07-08 22:23:05
Doctor, 2 years ago I had a severe panic attack after smoking We*D for first time and 2 days of not eating and no sleep. For 4-5 months after that, I felt no emotions at all. Recently, I had coffee on an empty stomach for days and got strong acid reflux. Since then, eating spicy food gives me heartburn and triggers panic attacks. I feel brain fog, confusion, and like I’m dying. One night after eating masala roti and smoking hookah and weed , loud noise triggered another intense episode. Now I feel stuck, overthinking, and mentally confused most of the time. Please help me understand if this is anxiety, gut-related, or something else. I want to feel normal again.
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Dear User, Thank you for opening up. From your description, it's clear you've been through a deeply distressing experience, and your symptoms reflect a complex interplay of panic disorder, gut-brain axis dysfunction, and possible cannabis-induced anxiety spectrum. ✨ Let me simplify this: 🧠 Panic Attacks & Brain Fog: The initial panic episode likely created a “fear memory loop” in your brain. Substances like cannabis and hookah, especially in sensitive individuals, can trigger derealization, depersonalization, and lingering anxiety symptoms—commonly referred to as "Cannabis-Induced Anxiety or Panic Disorder." 🔥 Spicy Food & Acid Reflux: Acid reflux and gut inflammation can exacerbate panic attacks due to the gut-brain connection. Foods that irritate the GI tract may indirectly trigger anxiety circuits via the vagus nerve. 🚨 Loud Noise Triggering Panic: Heightened sensory sensitivity is common in anxiety disorders. It signals a hyper-aroused nervous system, often stuck in "fight or flight" mode.
Next Steps
🧩 What’s Likely Going On: Cannabis-induced panic and depersonalization Underlying Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Panic Disorder Possible Gut Dysbiosis / GERD-induced anxiety loop Secondary emotional blunting or adjustment disorder🧘 You deserve to feel calm, grounded, and yourself again. This is reversible, and with the right multidisciplinary care, most patients recover beautifully. 📍Dr Shivam Bhandari Jain — Consultant Psychiatrist 🏥 Health 4 U Clinic, 249 Gufa Mandir Road, Near First Step School, Jain Nagar, Nayapura, Lalghati, Bhopal 🕕 Clinic Timings: Mon-Sat, 6 PM – 8 PM 📲 Instagram: @mentalhealth.4you ⭐ Google us: Search Dr Shivam Bhandari Jain for location & reviews
Health Tips
✅ What You Can Do Next: 1. Psychiatric Evaluation: Rule out underlying anxiety or panic disorder formally. 2. Lifestyle Reset: Avoid substances (hookah, weed, caffeine) completely for now. 3. Gut-Brain Healing: Consult a gastroenterologist for acid reflux Start a bland, non-spicy, vegetarian diet temporarily 4. Therapy Help: Begin Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and panic Mindfulness and grounding exercises can stabilize overthinking 5. Medications (If Needed): SSRIs or non-habit-forming anxiolytics may be prescribed in consultation.

Answered2025-07-14 07:16:52

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Hi Its a mix of panic disorder, gut-brain sensitivity, and trauma from that first weed-induced panic attack. That initial episode—no sleep, no food, and weed—overloaded your nervous system. Your brain likely went into survival mode, and since then, it’s learned to associate certain triggers (like food, smoke, or even noise) with danger. That’s why you’re now feeling stuck in a loop—overthinking, confusion, body discomfort, brain fog. It’s not just anxiety,it’s your body remembering fear. The gut and brain are deeply connected. Acid reflux, poor eating habits, stimulants like coffee or weed—these worsen anxiety symptoms. But healing this isn’t about avoiding triggers alone. It’s about retraining your nervous system. And that takes structured therapy—CBT, somatic work, and sometimes short-term medication support. You can feel normal again, but not by patching symptoms alone. Take therapy. You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five

Answered2025-07-12 04:58:52

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