Many patients report that medical cannabis is a natural and very well-tolerated alternative treatment for their depression symptoms.
Depression is a medical illness that can lead to a variety of emotional as well as physical problems. It is a chronic condition that often requires long-term treatment. Mood disorders such as major depression, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder affect approximately 21 million Americans, and are more prevalent in women than in men.
There are many symptoms of depression, and they may vary considerably from person to person. A few of the symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, irritability, loss of interest, insomnia, changes in appetite, thoughts of death or suicide, and unexplained physical problems such as back pain or headaches.
A number of factors are likely involved in the development of depression including physical and biochemical changes in the brain, hormone levels, genetics, and life events. Depression is a serious medical illness that can affect family, work, relationships and other medical conditions.
There are several mental health conditions that include symptoms of depression, so it is important to consult your doctor or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis. This will allow you to get the most appropriate treatment for your particular condition.
Depression may be treated in a variety of ways, most commonly with psychological counseling and prescription drugs. Unfortunately, antidepressant medications are associated with a wide variety of very serious side effects that make them unacceptable to many patients. These side effects range from blurred vision and constipation to fatigue and impaired thinking to headaches and sexual problems to liver failure and suicide.
As a result of their frustration with these pharmaceutical drug side effects, many patients seek out a safer, more natural alternative – such as medical cannabis. For many patients, medical cannabis helps improve many functional aspects of their lives, including such things as their ability for self-care, attendance at job or school, social interactions, sleep, and thinking ability.
Medical cannabis may also be able to relax some of the anxiousness that is often associated with depression, and it can improve appetite and sleep. Cannabis’ pain-relieving properties can reduce depression that is related to chronic pain.
Patients vary in their reports with respect to which strain of cannabis is most effective at improving their symptoms of depression. In general terms, Sativa dominant strains tend to be more energizing and uplifting and Indica dominant strains tend to be more relaxing and sedating. Hybrid strains may provide a more balanced effect.
Historically, various societies have used cannabis to treat symptoms of depression for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. There has never been a death due to a cannabis overdose in that entire period of time.
More recently, scientists have been investigating “cannabinoids” for their therapeutic potential in the treatment of depression. Cannabinoids are the molecules in the cannabis plant that exert its medicinal effects. Animal studies have linked the body’s natural endocannabinoid system and CB1 endocannabinoid receptors to the development of depression. The mechanism of action of cannabis appears to be similar to that of antidepressant drugs such as the selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. More research is still needed to determine exactly how cannabis exerts its antidepressant effects in humans.
When using medical cannabis to treat depression, it is important to use the correct dose. Low to moderate doses are generally helpful in treating the symptoms of depression. Higher doses may make the symptoms of depression worse. This may be related to how cannabis affects serotonin levels. It’s a good idea to keep track of your doses.
Other natural and holistic approaches to the management of depression include therapy or counseling, exercise, proper sleep, self-education, and proper diet and nutrition.
Mind-body techniques used to improve depression symptoms include acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy.
Herbal remedies that have been used for depression include St. John’s wort, or Hypericum, SAMe, and omega-3 supplements.
It is important to remember that there are many ways to use cannabis without smoking. These include vaporization, tinctures, edible products, topical applications, teas, and raw plant extracts.