Depression is a seemingly endless pit in which we find ourselves devoid of happiness, interest, and hope. It’s a terrible situation! If you’ve been feeling down lately and you believe like you can’t “shake” this sadness out of you, you might be suffering from depression. But, don’t worry, you’re not alone in this!
You might be aware of the existence of several types of treatment and therapies for depression. These range from conventional oral medication, to spiritual meditation. But, did you know that medical weed is a valid treatment? There are many kind of medical weed for depression.
It might sound too good to be true, but don’t mistake this for wishful thinking, I’m not making anything up!To know more about it read FAQ about Medical Weed.
Let me show you the proven ways in which medical marijuana helps with depression:
- Pain, Insomnia & Anxiety
A 2014 study, published by the Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health, emphasized that “marijuana” (cannabis) can be “helpful in relieving anxiety” as well as alleviating pain and insomnia.
While not directly related to depression, anxiety often stems from it, as well as insomnia.
- Chronic Stress
Endocannabinoids are natural brain chemical compounds in charge of motor control, behavior, emotions, and cognition.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have discovered that chronic stress suppresses the brain’s production of endocannabinoids in animals. This leads to a depression-like behavior.
Cannabis helps restore normal endocannabinoid functions and stabilize mood in the process.
The researchers think that introducing cannabis into the system can ease symptoms of depression.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
After a traumatic experience, it’s possible to develop a PTSD.
A 2014 study, published in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, proved that the actions taken a few hours after the trauma may alter the results.
The experiment tried to assess whether cannabinoids could prevent the effects of traumas on emotional processing. Rats administered with cannabinoids 2 hours after a foot-shock suffered no behavioral and physiological symptoms of PTSD.
While more research is being conducted, this one adds a lot of value, given that other available drugs (such as serotonin-norepinephrine inhibitors) provide similar albeit much smaller, and sometimes nonexistent, effects.
- Mood and Somatic Symptoms
A 2006 study, published in the Journal of Addictive Behaviors, proved that daily and weekly marijuana users reported less depressed mood and fewer somatic complaints than non-users.
The study consisted of Internet surveys, and it was taken by over 4400 adults. On a second analysis, the researchers noted that those who reported themselves as “medical users” instead of “recreational users” reported a more depressed mood, suggesting that the medical condition contributes to the “depression scores.”
Moreover, they stated that they found no evidence of higher depression risks for smoking weed.
Conclusion
The answer to whether or not medical marijuana helps with depression can’t be answered with a certain yes or no, unfortunately.
Despite this, we can say for certain that it works for some people, and it’s also an effective treatment for depression caused by chronic stress. You can see more from what diseases medical marijuana treats.
As long as you keep things moderate, especially with the THC, smoking weed will help you feel better about your depression! Also, you can read story about How Medical Weed Helped Me with My Depression.
