Medical Cannabis May Improve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
It is yet unclear how cannabis may affect your psychological well-being. For decades, the substance was chiefly studied for its supposed negative effects on the mind and body. And the prevailing opinion among medical professionals was that cannabis use may lead to depression. However, the critics pointed to the fact that depressed people tend to self-medicate. So, cannabis use may not be the cause of depression but a remedy.
A new study seems to support this idea. A team of scientists from the Medical University of South Carolina showed reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and also chronic pain among those who were using medical marijuana compared to those who weren't.
Less Severe Symptoms at Both Baseline and Follow-Ups
For four years, the researchers were surveying the patients of the Realm of Caring Foundation who were either current medical marijuana users or were thinking about trying the medicine sometime in the future. All patients in the sample self-reported various forms of depression. Most were also suffering from chronic pain, and some had anxiety.
At baseline, the survey found that among 368 users, the depression scores were significantly lower than among 170 non-users. The levels of anxiety were the same in both groups.
And at follow-ups, which were conducted every 3 months, those who initiated the use of cannabis showed a marked improvement in both depression and anxiety symptoms. If the use continued, the effects were not as significant but persisted. The same can be said about the reduction in pain, better sleep patterns, and improvement in the quality of life.
CBD-Rich Products May Be More Effective For Depression and Anxiety
The study also looked at the types of cannabis products that the participants used. The goal was to determine whether THC or CBD or their combination was most effective at treating depression and anxiety.
The most widely used products were CBD-dominant (82%). They were followed by the products that mostly contained THC (23%). Finally, cannabis that had a balanced THC-to-CBD ratio was the least popular variety at 7%.
The researchers found that, on average, CBD was more conducive to psychological health, and its effects were especially pronounced after prolonged use. Interestingly, the doses that the participants of this study reported were much lower than in the previous research.
It’s most welcome news to those patients who have second thoughts about trying medical marijuana because they don’t want to experience intoxication. CBD is not mind-altering and it acts upon receptors in the brain without affecting their expression. It means that stopping the CBD treatment will not result in withdrawal which is common in both THC and traditional antidepressants.
The present study has its limitations and leaves open many questions, such as the dosing, the optimal THC:CBD ratios, and the exact types of psychological conditions that may be treated with cannabis. However, it is one more piece of evidence that cannabis may help people with depression and do it with fewer side effects than most modern pharmaceuticals.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.
