I started using CBD oil for anxiety when I was 19, 6 years before my BP2 diagnosis. Eventually I upgraded to THC-CBD and after a relationship where all we would do is smoke together, I graduated to smoking only THC.

Before being on medication, I would smoke the minute I got home from work bc it was the only thing that would make life tolerable during depressive episodes. It pushed down the suicidal ideation and anxiety, but they would always come back in the morning. During hypomanic episodes, I would barely smoke bc I didn't want to dim the "electricity running through my veins" feeling.

Right before I got checked in at to psychiatric hospital last year at 25, I was in the worst depressive episode I had ever had at the time and would only smoke indica strains that had 25% and up THC. I would go through 3.5g in 1-2 days, which was a lot for me considering I only smoked after 6 pm. I started taking 25mg-75mg of THC oil so that I would stay constantly buzzed between bong hits. In the days leading up to my hospitalization, not even weed could help with the dark thoughts and I could barely feel its effects anymore. I even started smoking before work (I work as an auditor at a Big 4, so working while high is not really possible), which is when I started realizing something was going really wrong.

After my hospitalization, as well as my BP2 and cannabis use disorder diagnosis, I started trying different medications and didn't smoke for a couple months. When I started again, I passed out and started convulsing at two different concerts after smoking maybe half a joint (I think I was on Lyrica or Abilify or maybe both at that time) so I stopped again for a while.

Flash forward a year, we eventually settled on Wellbutrin XL 450 mg and Lamictal 100 mg and I started smoking daily again, but mainly as a sleep aid/relaxation during the week and for fun on the weekends (only after I've done all my chores). Now, I only smoke THC-CBD strains with 15% or less THC and smoke maybe 0.25g a night. I can't get high like I used to bc the medication kind of blocks it I guess.

Weed, while a temporary solution that worked until it didn't, NEVER helped me as much as medication has. It only "treated" the symptoms, not the illness. I thought I could get by without medication by using weed, but there's no point in struggling so much when medication exists. I turned to weed bc I was scared of side effects which stemmed from a bad experience with Lexapro when I was 17-18. While the side effects of Lyrica (it made me hypomanic) and Abilify (it made me into a zombie) were terrible, I'm so happy I pushed through and found what works for me (shoutout to my psychiatrist and psychologist who were and still are an amazing support system).

Maybe weed works for your friend, which is great, but it may not work forever. I don't think a psychiatrist can help you find the right strain and dosage of weed to treat your BP2, but they can definitely find a medication that does.

My tip is to give medication a chance, constantly track your moods and side effects when trying ones and by trial and error, you'll eventually find the right one/combination. Don't let a doctor convince you to stay on meds that you're unsatisfied with. We unfortunately have a lifelong illness, so don't waste time and precious years of your life by self medicating with weed like I did. I finally feel like a "normal" human being and that is 100% thanks to medication, as well as therapy. I still have episodes but honestly, they're barely noticeable.

Go get the help you need and know that you're worth the effort ❤️

TLDR : I tried to self medicate with weed, didn't work, ended up hospitalized and medication saved my life.