Can Cannabis be a Treatment for Depression?
With an increase of medical marijuana use to treat health conditions, advocates and studies are showing that medical cannabis can be used to treat mental disorders. Advocates believe that the chemical makeup of cannabis can be beneficial in treating anxiety and depression, while others argue that it can actually cause worse anxiety or depression.
When taking a close look at medical studies and results of medical cannabis used to treat depression, it is evident that the chemical makeup, specifically the presence of the chemical compound Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is the main ingredient to treat depression. Another compound, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can prevent nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, but may have a reverse affect on treatment for depression.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol — CBD — is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” like its counter part THC. The fact that CBD-rich cannabis is non-psychoactive or less psychoactive than THC-dominant strains makes it an appealing option for patients looking for relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and other conditions without disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.
Scientific and clinical research — much of it sponsored by the US government — underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Chronic Pain
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD
- Depression
- Antibiotic-resistant Infections
- Epilepsy
- and other neurological disorders.
CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently being investigated at several academic research centers in the United States and elsewhere.
“CBD-rich” versus “CBD0dominant”
“CBD-rich” refers to a cannabis strain or product that has equal amounts of CBD and THC, or more CBD than THC (usually at least fourpercent CBD by dry weight). By “CBD-dominant,” it refers to the strains or products that are CBD-rich but have very little THC content (usually less than two percent).
The Right Balance of CBD and THC to Treat Anxiety
First, What is the big difference between CBD and THC? Take a look at this informative video produced by the website Leafly:
CBD is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis that has a wide range of therapeutic benefits. When CBD is at higher levels in medical cannabis, CBD can enhance THC’s negative effects.
Most medical cannabis plants are bread to have extremely high levels of THC. This is usually because it is commonly used to treat more popular health conditions, such as cancer, eating disorders and seizure disorders. TCH also is a sough after drug for the recreational users because it provides a floating, euphoric feeling. Strands with high levels of CBD have only recently became popular in medical usage because of the growing awareness of its other medical benefits.
For those looking to treat mood disorders with cannabis, treatment relies heavily on the appropriate dose. Research proves that THC begins to raise anxiety levels after a certain threshold is passed. Those using medical marijuana to treat anxiety or depression will need to find strains that are CBD-rich or CBD-dominant when purchasing medical cannabis.
Arguments Against Medical Cannabis Use to Treat Depression
While most studies prove that medical cannabis can help anxiety and or depression, some doctors and anti-drug advocates believe it can make it worse. A common compound found in cannabis, THC, is linked to feelings of paranoia and anxiety, because it activates the amygdala area of the brain, which is responsible for fear.
The University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute stated the following in an online fact sheet titled “Mental Health and Marijuana,” based on information from the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre in 2012:
“Marijuana may seem to help ease depression before the effects of the drug wear off; however after that, smoking marijuana may make depression worse. Those who use marijuana have been shown to have higher levels of depression and depressive symptoms than those who do not use marijuana.”
“Marijuana can lead to symptoms of anxiety, such as panic, in the short-term, but there is a lack of evidence pointing to marijuana as an important risk factor for chronic anxiety disorders… Again, if someone has a genetic vulnerability or has an existing mental health issues, marijuana should be avoided.”
So Where Does that Leave Us?
As long as the strain is correct and the dosage is accurate, cannabis could be a very effective treatment for stress, depression and anxiety by allowing the person to either focus on the situation objectively or by offering peace of mind enough to forget it for a while.
CBD-rich and CBD-dominant cannabis can be consumed in a many ways. It can be used in a pipe or vape and give you immediate benefits or it can be maintained throughout the day with patches or edible the way one might take an antidepressant. Best of all, withdraw symptoms are comparatively minor and include irritability, problems with focus, and difficulty eating and sleeping.
As it stands, however, there simply isn’t enough research to assert that cannabis definitively improves depression. Depending on the strain and the dosage, the effects of cannabis on mental disease is largely variable. But that doesn’t mean that cannabis shouldn’t be used to treat depression if the individual prefers it. In much the same way a person is encouraged to “shop around” for the ideal antidepressant, so, too, should they be allowed to choose cannabis.
