Can Medical Marijuana Help Patients With Depression?

September 19, 2018

According to scientific literature, people who use weed have higher levels of depression and depressive symptoms than those who do not use cannabis – this is not necessarily a statement of cause, but there is a link there. 

Frequent or heavy use in adolescence can also predict depression or anxiety later on in life – especially for girls. In the short-term, cannabis often causes anxious feelings in users. It’s even considered an important risk factor for anxiety disorders, so until more is known about the drug, it’s really not a good idea to be experimenting with it at home if you’re already anxious or depressed.

Even if using cannabis seems to alleviate symptoms in the short-term for some users, it can lead to delay in getting appropriate treatment and to the additional problem of addiction if used regularly. The longer and more frequently someone uses weed, the more and more they will need to get the same effect. This doesn’t treat the cause of the problem and can lead to a range of other health problems further down the track.

There isn’t any clear evidence to suggest that marijuana causes depression. However, there may be a link between the two. Some research suggests regular or heavy users of the drug are diagnosed with depression more often than non-smokers.

Scientific evidence suggests cannabis use can trigger the onset of schizophrenia and other psychoses in those already at risk of developing it. You and your therapists will not always be aware of your personal genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia or other contributing risk factors when suggesting marijuana as an anxiety or depression treatment. For more information about cannabis and psychosis. You can also check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Marijuana has also been linked with other mental health conditions. If you’re at a high risk of psychosis, it’s important to know that marijuana may trigger schizophrenia or psychosis. Psychosis is a serious mental disorder characterized by a detachment from reality. Symptoms can include hallucinations and delusions.

The potential side effects of marijuana use may depend on the way you take it. Medical marijuana can be taken as a spray, pill, or patches. Research is ongoing with traditional recreational methods, such as smoking or vaporizing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), compounds in marijuana can help treat symptoms such as.

study published in 2015 found that marijuana use in some people with bipolar disorder enhanced their mood and promoted a more positive outlook. However, the researchers found that people were more likely to use marijuana when they were already having a good day mood-wise and not when their symptoms were more severe.

According to another study from 2015, suicide attempt rates in people with bipolar disorder were higher in those who used marijuana than in those who didn’t use marijuana. The study also found that people who used marijuana were younger at bipolar disorder onset (when their symptoms first started) than those who didn’t use it. This is a concern, as doctors think that a younger age at onset of bipolar disorder causes worse symptoms throughout a person’s life. The effect of marijuana on early onset and suicide rates wasn’t clear however, researchers said.

According to the NIDA, people who carry certain gene types are more likely to experience phycosis.

While marijuana may help some people with bipolar disorder, these studies show that it could also cause problems for others with the condition.

It’s important to keep in mind that the research surrounding the beneficial effects of marijuana use in bipolar disorder is very preliminary. Also, marijuana can affect each person differently, so these results don’t suggest that marijuana can benefit everyone with bipolar disorder.

Although research in the field looks promising, more work needs to be done to assess whether medical marijuana is an effective treatment for depression. Beyond that, only 29 states now allow the use of cannabis however, you must be certified by a Florida medical marijuana doctor near me.

Even if some people report feeling better or more relaxed after they’ve had a joint, this is not going to be the same for everyone. Many people report feeling more anxious and paranoid immediately after using weed, and some even experience panic attacks.

If anyone recommends using an illicit and unproven substance to help treat a serious mental health condition like anxiety or depression, you should always look for a second professional opinion.

Like anything, just because someone says weed has worked for them or someone they know of, doesn’t mean it will work for everyone.

In an ideal world, we would all love a solid solution to anxiety and depression, but unfortunately the evidence for cannabis just isn’t there at this point. To read more about cannabis and mental health for use with Depression and Anxiety you can Click Here.

Please Contact All Natural Health Certifications with any questions or to get started on your Medical Marijuana Card in Florida today!