Medical Cannabis for Depression
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Medical Cannabis for Depression
Depression symptoms tend to reduce a person’s quality of life and be a difficult mental illness to live with. This is a serious issue because chronic stress and anxiety disorders often occur with depression and can impact to deteriorate the depressive symptoms.
Current medical marijuana research is evident enough to draw the conclusion that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD affect the brain positively, leading to reduced stress and anxiety symptoms.
These compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for balancing mood changes, sleep, appetite, etc.
Note: Medical marijuana is found to be a safe and effective treatment for depression. However, it is obligatory for you to consult a medical expert as part of your treatment plan.
Medical Cannabis for Depression
Depression symptoms tend to reduce a person’s quality of life and be a difficult mental illness to live with. This is a serious issue because chronic stress and anxiety disorders often occur with depression and can impact to deteriorate the depressive symptoms.
How Does Medical Cannabis Affect Depression?
Medical cannabis has been shown to work for a variety of medical conditions. This is likely because cannabis has a variety of cannabinoids, which each have different effects on the body. Some cannabinoids, like THC, help to stimulate the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for regulating a variety of bodily functions, including mood, appetite, and pain. This is why cannabis can be so effective for treating medical conditions like depression.
Evidence Regarding Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis for Depression
A study that took place in 2014 published by the Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health emphasised pain management as a potential benefit of medical marijuana. Candidates who took part in the study reported a 64 percent decrease in pain while using cannabis. Many also experienced a decrease in anxiety and better sleep while using the drug. Another study done in 2012 discovered cannabis as a means of controlling spasms in people with multiple sclerosis. On average, participants had about 30 percent less spasticity while using this treatment
The Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Depression
For most people (varying from case to case), it is a promising treatment option for depression as medical cannabis helps bring relief to people (with depression). Apart from its main benefit (that is fighting depression), it also has the potential to bring mood-boosting effects and help improve sleep and increase appetite. This can be beneficial for people who are struggling with depression-related weight loss or insomnia.
The Risks of Medical Cannabis for Depression
Many studies suggest that marijuana potentially helps relieve depression symptoms in most people. On the other hand, some studies also suggest that marijuana may actually worsen depression symptoms. Again, it varies from case to case - each person may respond differently to consuming medical cannabis for the treatment of a condition.
Conclusion
To conclude, medical cannabis is a safe and natural alternative to traditional antidepressant medications, which can often cause side effects such as nausea, weight gain, and even sexual dysfunction. It is also very cost-effective as compared to antidepressants, and it is also available in various strains/forms that can be prepared to meet a patient’s needs.
Generally, medical cannabis appears to be a promising treatment for depression (for most people). However, it is necessary to consult certified healthcare provider beforehand.
There can be a few underlying risks associated with using medical cannabis. For example, medical marijuana may interact with other medications a patient takes for depression, which could ultimately lead to harmful side effects.
