Depression and anxiety disorders are serious health issues that affect millions of people worldwide. Traditional treatment methods, such as psychopharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy, can provide relief but are not always fully effective for all patients. In recent years, medical marijuana has been increasingly considered as an alternative form of therapy for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. In this article, we will examine the efficacy and safety of treating depression and anxiety disorders with medical marijuana.
What will you learn from this article?
👉 Can medical marijuana prove to be supportive for people suffering from this disease?
👉 How can medical marijuana aid psychotherapy?
👉 How can medical marijuana be utilized in the treatment of depression?
Table of contents:
- What is depression?
- Symptoms of depression
- What are the causes of depression?
- Medical marijuana and depression
- Medical marijuana and anxiety
- Medical marijuana for neurosis
- How can medical marijuana support psychotherapy?
- Safety of using medical marijuana
- Antidepressants and medical marijuana
- Summary
What is depression?
Depression is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by a persistent low mood, lack of interest in life, and loss of energy, as well as additional symptoms such as sleep problems, appetite issues, or concentration difficulties [1]. These are just some of the symptoms. Depression is difficult to recognize – all the more so because it manifests differently in everyone. A serious issue is also that depression is very often confused with other mental health problems. Unfortunately, it currently affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly impact the quality of life.
Symptoms of depression
Depression is a multifaceted disorder and can manifest with various symptoms. The most common among them are a constant feeling of sadness, loss of interest in various types of activities, sleep and appetite problems, fatigue, difficulties in concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide [2]. Such symptoms should be alarming not only for the sick person but also for their close ones – especially if they do not subside for several weeks.
What are the causes of depression?
Depression is a multifactorial disease, meaning it results from a combination of many factors. Genetics, brain chemistry, environment, and psychology – all can influence the risk of depression [3]. Traumatic life events, such as the loss of a loved one, can also lead to depression. There can be many causes of depression, and most of them are not easy to determine. This is another reason why diagnosing it is so difficult.
Medical marijuana and depression 👩⚕️
Medical marijuana contains two main active ingredients: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which has psychoactive properties, and CBD (cannabidiol), which does not induce euphoria but has many potential health benefits [4]. Research indicates that medical marijuana may help alleviate some symptoms of depression, such as insomnia, loss of appetite, and anxiety [5].
This is a huge hope for patients for whom other treatment methods have not yielded the expected results. Currently, medical marijuana is increasingly used in the treatment of depression, as well as other types of diseases. It is a good way to provide relief to patients who struggle daily with severe symptoms of the disease, including insomnia and lack of appetite.
Medical marijuana and anxiety
Anxiety is a common companion of depression. Research suggests that medical marijuana, especially rich in CBD, may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety [6]. Of course, there are many ways to treat anxiety, including pharmacological methods. However, medical marijuana is currently raising great hope among both patients and doctors who are looking for an effective way to improve the quality of life for people struggling with this condition.
Medical marijuana for neurosis
Neurosis, now more often referred to as neurotic disorders, includes a range of conditions, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and disorders resulting from post-traumatic stress. Medical marijuana can help alleviate some symptoms of these disorders, although more research is needed to determine its effectiveness and safety [7] precisely. However, doctors are increasingly prescribing medical marijuana to people suffering from neurosis – and with excellent results.
How can medical marijuana support psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a key element in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. It supports patients in coping with emotions, changing negative thought patterns, and developing healthy strategies for dealing with stress. Medical marijuana can potentially support the psychotherapy process in several ways.
✅ Symptom relief
The most important potential application of medical marijuana in the context of psychotherapy is the alleviation of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, which can hinder the therapeutic process. For a patient who is too anxious to focus on therapy, or too depressed to feel motivated to work on themselves, medical marijuana can potentially help ease these barriers.
✅ Increased openness to experiences
Some studies suggest that cannabinoids may increase openness to new experiences and feelings, which can be beneficial in therapy, especially in approaches such as humanistic psychotherapy or psychodynamic therapy. Some patients are particularly closed off – medical marijuana may be a rescue here.
✅ Support for relaxation techniques
Medical marijuana, especially products rich in CBD, can also help in learning and practising relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. By alleviating anxiety states, medical marijuana can facilitate the practice of these techniques and help patients achieve greater awareness and control over their bodies and emotions.
It is important to remember that medical marijuana is not a cure-all and will not replace psychotherapy, but it can be a helpful tool supporting this process. Equally important is that any use of medical marijuana be conducted under strict medical supervision.
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🩺 Safety of using medical marijuana
Like all medications, medical marijuana can cause side effects, including dry mouth, dizziness, feelings of fatigue, and psychotic symptoms in predisposed individuals [8]. Additionally, there is a risk of addiction, especially with regular use of marijuana containing THC. It is important to use medical marijuana under a doctor’s supervision and always according to their recommendations.
Antidepressants and medical marijuana
Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or SNRIs, are the standard in treating depression. Meanwhile, medical marijuana is often considered an alternative or complement to these drugs, especially when traditional treatment does not yield the expected effects. It is always important to consult a doctor before starting any therapy or before changing the current treatment [9].
Summary
Treating depression and anxiety disorders with medical marijuana is a topic that is generating increasing interest among patients and medical specialists. There is evidence that some components contained in marijuana may have a beneficial impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. Every patient is different, and the effectiveness and safety of treatment with medical marijuana can vary depending on the individual’s body’s response.
Before starting therapy with medical marijuana, it is always worth consulting a doctor to obtain professional advice and appropriate support. Medical marijuana is not suitable for all patients, and there are also other traditional treatment methods that may provide relief for people suffering from depression and anxiety disorders.
Bibliogaphy:
- WHO. Depression. (2018). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
- Caspi A, Sugden K, Moffitt TE, et al. Influence of life stress on depression: moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene. Science. 2003;301(5631):386-389 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12869766/
- Russo EB. Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008;4(1):245-259. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18728714/
- Walsh Z, Gonzalez R, Crosby K, S Thiessen M, Carroll C, Bonn-Miller MO. Medical cannabis and mental health: A guided systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017 Feb;51:15-29. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27816801/
- Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, Marmar CR. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015 Oct;12(4):825-36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
- Black N, Stockings E, Campbell G, et al. Cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and symptoms of mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(12):995-1010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31672337/
- Volkow ND, Swanson JM, Evins AE, et al. Effects of Cannabis Use on Human Behavior, Including Cognition, Motivation, and Psychosis: A Review. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(3):292–297. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26842658/
- Sarris J, Sinclair J, Karamacoska D, Davidson M, Firth J. Medicinal cannabis for psychiatric disorders: a clinically-focused systematic review. BMC Psychiatry. 2020;20(1):24. https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-019-2409-8
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