How To Use Medical Marijuana To Treat Depression
You can use medical marijuana while experiencing depression in order to potentially alleviate its symptoms and hasten its end. You can also use medical marijuana in a preventative manner, intaking it either at regular intervals, prior to experiences you find trigger your depression or when you detect signals a bout of depression may be immanent in order to keep it at bay.
Medical Marijuana Can Help Treat Depression Anxiety Per New Study
FILE – A photo of a cannabis plant.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry showed that those diagnosed with clinical depression or anxiety who were using medicinal marijuana had lower depression scores than non-users, and those who began taking cannabis during the follow-up period experienced a reduction in both anxiety and depression symptoms.
The study’s authors noted that many people with anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental health conditions, are turning to medicinal cannabis as a way to manage their symptoms. Products can be made predominantly of THC, CBD or equal amounts of both.
“Anxiety and depressive disorders are highly prevalent. Traditional antidepressants may effectively treat these disorders in a lot of people, but they do not work for everyone and can have unpleasant side effects,” Erin Martin, a Ph.D candidate at the Medical University of South Carolina and lead researcher, told PsyPost. “People are increasingly using medicinal cannabis products, especially products high in CBD, to try to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression, even though scientific research in this area is both limited and shows mixed results.”
The team of researchers conducted a study among a sample of participants who reported having anxiety, depression, or both. Of those participants, 368 were medicinal cannabis users, and 170 were considering using medicinal cannabis but had not yet begun using it. The majority of respondents were female and Caucasian .
Smoking And Vaping Marijuana And Thc
Rates of cannabis smoking and vaping are similar to those reported for cigarettes, and cigarette smoking is related to marijuana use. Cannabis and tobacco use and misuse frequently co-occur,12 and in some cases, cannabis smoking precedes tobacco smoking, and in others, tobacco smoking precedes marijuana smoking. THC use is also rising in many states that have legalized the substance, and among the young, for whom the effects of THC are different and likely more dangerous than they are for older individuals. The NIHs 2019 Monitoring the Future survey also found a spike in rates of youth vaping marijuana, concerning because of the substance and the risky delivery route. Learning to inhale drug vapors may be the gateway event worth additional study.13 Most of the public health attention has been focused on vaping THC and death or severe toxic effects on lung and pulmonary function. The field testing of THC vaping and e-cigarettes have led to the CDC recommending no use of all e-cigarette or vaping, THC, and nicotine products.14 Many more current and potential consequences of cannabis smoking and vaping THC are coming to light. Marijuana use has increased in teens following the reduction in perceived danger, ballot initiatives, and largely unproven medical marijuana claims.15
Adolescent cannabis exposure results in impaired cognition, sleep, and driving ability.
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Can Thc Make Depression Worse
Possibly yes, depending on the individual and dose. Cannabis and cannabinoids dont work the same for everyone. For certain individuals, under certain circumstances, THC can cause dysphoria which is a worsening of mood.
Most people experience an uplifting of their mood or more of a euphoria, which is beneficial for depression. Some people are not able to tolerate THC, and for others, high doses can actually down-regulate the bodys own endocannabinoid function. Because the ECS is so important in mood regulation, causing a down-regulation can lead to worsening mental health.
Those who get a worsening of mood are the minority. But its important when starting cannabis treatment, to be careful with your THC dose. Too much THC or too regular use of THC can negatively affect the ECS.
Is Medical Marijuana Effective For Depression
The research into marijuana for depression is still in its early stages, but it shows promise. Researchers at the University at Buffalo looked at the relationship between cannabis use and depression and concluded that marijuana may help to reduce depressive symptoms in certain individuals.
The researchers examined subjects whose depression was linked to chronic stress. They found a correlation between excess stress and endocannabinoid deficiency, which may contribute to depressive symptoms. Endocannabinoids are natural chemical compounds in the body and brain that impact cognition and emotions.
The researchers found that medical marijuana use was associated with improved endocannabinoid function and reduced depressive symptoms. Other studies have also found marijuana to be effective for depression, anxiety, and general pain management.
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Can Cbd Help With Depression
Yes, cannabidiol and CBD oil can be a very beneficial treatment for depression. CBD is a cannabinoid that works on about 60 different receptors, enzymes and neurotransmitters. It also can activate adenosine pathways which help with relaxation and serotonin pathways which can help boost mood.
As low dopamine and serotonin can cause certain symptoms of depression, regulation of these chemicals is important. CBD can help block the reuptake of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA which means that your body can use those chemicals for longer periods.
Understanding Neurotransmitters That Affect Mood Disorders
The following neurotransmitters are activated in the brain and influence stress, anxiety and depression disorders :
- Acetylcholine- enhances memory and learning recall.
- Serotonin- regulates sleep, appetite, mood, and inhibits pain.
- Norepinephrine- constricts blood vessels and can raise blood pressure. It also triggers anxiety and some types of depression.
- Dopamine- influences motivation and plays a role in how reality is perceived. It is the brains reward system.
- Glutamate- is an excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a role in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- Gamma- aminobutyric acid – is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is thought to lower anxiety.
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How Is Depression Diagnosed
Depression is a clinical diagnosis. This means that there are no blood tests or other physical tests you can do to diagnose depression. There are also lots of overlaps with anxiety disorders.
In order to diagnose depression, doctors use questions and tools from the DSM-5, which is a manual for mental health disorders. A diagnosis of depression means that it needs to be stand alone so its not related to other conditions like thyroid dysfunction or endocrine disorders. Finally, the feelings need to cause dysfunction in the individuals life.
Cannabis And Cbd Oil For Depression
While feeling anxious, sluggish and in a low mood or state at times is normal, depression can be a serious medical condition. According to Beyond Blue, 1 in 16 Australians are currently experiencing depression. There are a wide range of treatments for depression. An increasing number of doctors and individuals are using cannabis to treat depression.
In this article Dr Jim will help answer the question, Can cannabis be used to treat depression? Its important to note that while depression and anxiety treatments are similar, the conditions can be mutually exclusive. Just because you are experiencing one does not mean you have the other. If youd like to learn about cannabis and anxiety, you can read our cannabis for anxiety article.
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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
Updated on June 16, 2022. Medical content reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya.
A diagnosis with one of the PA medical marijuana conditions is necessary to qualify for a medical card in Pennsylvania. If you are suffering from an illness that is not on the list, it is unlikely that a medical marijuana doctor will certify you for the PA medical card.
This page will focus on equipping you with the knowledge you need on the Pennsylvania medical marijuana requirements, including the qualifying medical marijuana conditions. As a result, your application for the PA medical card will be straightforward. After going over this page, schedule an appointment with a Pennsylvania marijuana doctor near you and get certified for the PA medical card.
Medical Marijuana May Reduce The Need For Antidepressants
Not only does marijuana appear to be an effective option for treating depression, but it appears it may also reduce the need for traditional antidepressants, which can come with an assortment of adverse side effects.
For example, one study that was published in the peer-reviewed journal Health Affairs found that doctors in states with medical marijuana programs wrote prescriptions for an average of 265 fewer doses of antidepressants each year than doctors in other states.
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How Does Medical Marijuana For Anxiety Work
One of the most common ways to treat anxiety in patients is to manage the levels of a neurotransmitter in your brain called GABA. These levels are typically managed through a class of medications called benzodiazepines. Here is the problem, though, with this approach. You can build a tolerance to benzodiazepines, which means we often find patients taking more and more of them. The medications cause thousands of overdose deaths each year.
Preliminary research about medical marijuana and anxiety shows cannabis has similar effects to medications like benzodiazepines. The good news is, though, that medical marijuana for anxiety has those similar effects without the risk of overdose.
Medical marijuana also appears to lower levels of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is the hormone that is often associated with how much stress you are feeling. If you have lowered cortisol levels you have a less severe reaction to stress, which can reduce anxiety.
Can The Use Of Marijuana Help With Depression
Despite all the anecdotal evidence of people using marijuana to control their symptoms of depression, clinical research is still in its early stages. However, it doesnt mean that we have no insight. One of the more important studies published in the Journal of Affective Disorders in 2018 gives some insight into the effects of marijuana on depression and anxiety disorder.
In the study, the researchers tracked the perceived changes in the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress in medical marijuana users. The patients were all using different doses and different strains of marijuana, which gave the researchers further insight into how the cannabinoids THC and CBD affected these changes.
The results revealed that cannabis use significantly decreased the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. But thats not all, as they also discovered that cannabis strains that were high in CBD and low in THC were better for reducing the symptoms of depression, while strains high in THC and low in CBD were better for reducing the symptoms of chronic stress.
Still, it should be noted that theres not enough information on the long-term use of marijuana on depression and that individuals prone to psychosis are advised to avoid using marijuana.
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Symptoms Of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can cause many symptoms that interfere with your everyday functioning, including:
- Episodes of severe anxiety or fear that cause intense reactions like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea or sweating
- Racing or pounding heartbeat
- Inability to concentrate
The combination of symptoms you have and their intensity can vary depending on the nature of your anxiety disorder. Just because you dont experience these exact symptoms doesnt mean you dont have an anxiety disorder only an experienced mental health professional can provide a proper diagnosis.
Evidence To Support Health Claims Of Medical Marijuana
Besides chronic pain, theres strong evidence marijuana or its ingredients can ease nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and help with symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Several European countries have approved Sativex, a mouth spray containing THC and CBD, for multiple sclerosis symptoms. Last year, U.S. regulators approved Epidiolex, made from CBD, to treat two rare seizure disorders. THC causes marijuanas mind-altering effect CBD doesnt get people high.
British drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals is seeking U.S. approval for Sativex. Other companies are pursuing Food and Drug Administration backing for products based on marijuana ingredients.
Arizona-based Insys Therapeutics, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019 as it faced fallout over its marketing of an addictive opioid painkiller, has developed CBD drugs for two types of childhood epilepsy and a rare genetic disorder.
Pennsylvania-based Zynerba Pharmaceuticals has also developed a CBD skin patch for autism and fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition.
Prescription drugs already on the market use synthetic THC to treat weight loss, nausea and vomiting in patients with AIDS or cancer. And researchers continue to study whether marijuana helps with PTSD, back pain and other problems.
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Why Should I Get Mental Health Treatment In New York City
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At Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry our patients have and always will be our number one priority we take their health and well being very seriously and are pleased to be able to offer psychiatric treatment in a manner like no other practice weve come across.If you think you have a reason to see a psychiatrist, give us a call to set up a consultation at .
Best Medical Marijuana Strains For Depression
Suffering from depression but not sure if medical marijuana will help you? Or perhaps you have already realized that medical cannabis is effective for your problem and want to renew your medical card? You can get all the necessary information about obtaining and renewing the card right now by booking an online appointment with our doctor.
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It Helps To Improve Sleep
A proper amount of sleep is always essential for your everyday routine ahead. Depression patients are more likely to suffer from insomnia or no sleep, which eventually leads to more health issues.
For maintaining your mental wellbeing and managing the disrupt sleeping patterns, you can use cannabis.
Medical marijuana contains CBD that has shown some effectiveness in treating mental illness, and THC makes you feel high. Both components start to affect your brain, and just after a while of taking medical marijuana, you can experience proper sleep cycles. Proper sleeping eventually leads to further positive enhancement of your mental condition.
Are There Side Effects Specific To Cannabis And Depression
Most medications can have side effects and cannabis is no different. The side effects of cannabis are quite mild and generally well tolerated.
THC can cause some dysphoria and a worsening in mood for certain people who arent used to THC or are intolerant of THC. It can also increase fatigue or slow down mental processing. So, if an individual is having issues with fatigue and difficulty thinking, then THC can have an additive effect to those symptoms.
CBD on the other hand is generally very well tolerated. CBD, at higher doses, can cause a bit of a hyperarousal, which can lead to further difficulties in sleep. And, if people are taking high dose CBD before bed, it can actually disrupt some of the sleep architecture and affect REM sleep.
The important thing to remember is that everyone is different and so side effects may vary. Cannabis doesnt work for everyone.
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Bottom Line On Marijuana And Depression
If you have been diagnosed with depression and are seeking treatments beyond prescription antidepressants with their often unpleasant side effects, medical marijuana could help address your symptoms. Be sure to consult with your healthcare practitioner and discuss any prior substance abuse issues before consuming cannabis as a treatment of depression, anxiety, or any other condition.
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Side Effects Of Marijuana For Depression
Marijuana has very few negative side effects, and they are generally milder than the side effects from traditional medications. Additionally, most of these side effects fade as the drug passes through the body. Everyone reacts to pot differently, but some common side effects include red eyes, short-term memory loss, increased heart rate and slower reaction time.
Also, different strains have different effects and can induce symptoms you are trying to treat such as anxiety, fatigue and insomnia. Its important to find the strain that works best for you.
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Patients Report Less Depression After Using Medical Marijuana
Studies looking at patients perceptions of their depression after using marijuana have also been encouraging. In one study, a team of researchers at Washington State University discovered that marijuana use significantly reduced patients reports of depression. Similarly, a researcher at the University of Washington has reported that medical marijuana can have antidepressant-like effects.
In one especially encouraging study, conducted by researchers at the University of New Mexico, the results showed that the vast majority of patients that use cannabis experience antidepressant effects. Furthermore, the researchers found that the study participants reported an average reduction of almost 40% in the severity of their depression symptoms in a matter of moments after using medical marijuana, whereas traditional antidepressants can take weeks or even months to show results.
With findings such as these, its easy to see why so many patients are turning to cannabis to treat their depression, and why so many researchers are eager to provide the data those patients and their doctors need in order to make the best treatment decisions.
Can I Get Medical Marijuana For Depression
Contents
Marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, but many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana to treat the symptoms of different medical conditions, despite recreational marijuana not being legalized there yet. These states have developed medical marijuana programs and things seem to be going well.
Therefore, there is an open question about whether medical marijuana can be just as helpful for mental health as it is for physical health. Depression, as one of the most common mental health disorders on the planet, is usually treated with a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. However, many people dont respond well to this treatment and look for other effective treatment solutions, such as cannabis.
There has been some research into whether the use of cannabis could help manage the symptoms of depression. So far, there has been a lot of anecdotal evidence that many people who suffer from depression self-medicate with cannabis. Now, they may be able to get a medical marijuana card to buy their cannabis legally, which is what we cover in todays article.
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