Living with mental illness is difficult, and it can make day-to-day living seem like an uphill battle if treatment is not received. There is no doubt that you are not alone if you are dealing with a mental health problem like depression or anxiety. Approximately 7% of Americans experience one or more major depressive episodes annually, and approximately 3% of Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the most prevalent type of anxiety disorder. For those exploring alternative treatment options, obtaining a medical marijuana card can provide access to cannabis-based therapies that may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Mental health disorders can be challenging to treat because of their wide range of symptoms and severity. Medical marijuana is one of the numerous options that are becoming more and more popular as a possible treatment for depression and anxiety. Although there is little research on its efficacy, we have compiled all the information you might need to know before using cannabis for mental health.
Note: To find out how medical marijuana use might affect your other prescriptions, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor about it.
What is anxiety?
Many people suffer from anxiety of some kind. You might be nervous before acting in a play or before a major life transition like moving. Anxiety and fear can be persistent, severe, or even incapacitating for those who suffer from an anxiety disorder, but healthy levels of anxiety are controllable and come and go throughout daily life. Anxiety disorder comes in a variety of forms, and like depression, people can experience anxiety disorder in a variety of ways. The following are some typical signs of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD):
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of worry, fear, or uneasiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
What is depression?
Major depressive disorder, also known as depression, is a mood disorder that results in extreme sadness and a loss of interest in life and past interests. People who are depressed may struggle to go about their everyday lives at work and at home, and they may feel worthless and hopeless. Although each person’s experience of depression is unique, symptoms can include the following:
- Overall decline in enjoyment of many activities
- Sadness or a generally gloomy attitude
- A shift in appetite
- Oversleeping or difficulty falling asleep
- Fatigue or a lack of vitality
- Feelings of guilt and unworthiness
- Having trouble concentrating, making choices, and remembering things
- Slower speech or movement
- Suicidal or fatal thoughts
Dial 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you are experiencing distress and considering suicide.
Popular Treatments for Anxiety and Depression
Treatment for depression and anxiety varies depending on the patient and their particular symptoms. Both are usually treated with a mix of medication, including antidepressants, and psychotherapy. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are other lifestyle modifications that can be beneficial. Additionally, a lot of people have discovered that medical marijuana helps with depression and anxiety. Here is all the information you might require.
How Marijuana Eases Anxiety Symptoms
People with anxiety disorders may benefit from medical marijuana in addition to more conventional treatments, according to recent research. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the primary component of cannabis that lowers anxiety. The more well-known substance tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which gives marijuana users their “high,” does not have psychoactive effects like CBD does. It is believed that both substances function by attaching to and interacting with the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors.
A 2017 review of the possible advantages of CBD for panic disorder found that after taking 300 mg of CBD, participants’ anxiety levels significantly decreased following a mock public speaking exam. Furthermore, 57 adult males in a 2019 study reported significantly reduced anxiety after taking 300–600 mg of CBD.
Using Marijuana to Manage Anxiety: Tips and Methods
It’s crucial to start slowly, especially if you’re new to cannabis, in order to assess your sensitivity and find the right dosage and strains. Lower dosages of cannabis can reduce anxiety, but excessive amounts of the drug—especially those with higher THC content—can make your symptoms worse. If necessary, raise the dosage from the initial low level. For anxiety, cannabis with a lower THC content is advised.
Indica vs. Sativa
Cannabis strains are frequently categorized by dispensaries as “indica” or “sativa.” While sativa strains contain more THC and have a more energizing effect, indica strains typically have lower THC levels and are known to have a calming effect on the body. Selecting a strain of medical marijuana with a lower THC content is more crucial when treating anxiety disorders than it is to pay attention to the difference between indica and sativa. Higher THC dosages should be avoided as they may make you feel more anxious.
Best marijuana strains for anxiety
Numerous medical marijuana strains have the potential to alleviate anxiety. A few that come highly recommended are as follows:
- Grandaddy Purple
- ACDC
- Cannatonic
- Jack Herer
- Canna-Tsu
- Pennywise
- Northern Lights
- Harlequin
How Marijuana Can Help Alleviate Depression Symptoms
There is little data on the relationship between cannabis use and depression, but new research keeps adding to our understanding. In essence, it is thought that stress interferes with the synthesis of endocannabinoids, which are chemicals that affect our emotions, behavior, and other aspects of life. Depression can result from a lack of these chemicals. It is believed that cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, interact with endocannabinoid receptors to help heal the endocannabinoid system and lessen depressive symptoms.
Importantly, medical marijuana is not advised as a primary, long-term treatment for depression, even though it might be useful for the immediate or short-term alleviation of these symptoms. However, it might be helpful as a mood enhancer to complement your standard treatment (as stated above, patients should speak with their doctor before using cannabis).
THC may improve mood by increasing serotonin production, according to research on animals, but high dosages of the drug may exacerbate depressive symptoms. Higher CBD strains might be a good choice for people looking to reduce depression because non-psychoactive CBD is also known to reduce stress and elevate mood.
Using Marijuana to Manage Depression: Tips and Methods
People who are depressed should look for strains with lower THC content because higher doses of the drug may exacerbate symptoms. Start with a small dosage of a CBD strain and use it only as needed. Once more, using medical marijuana occasionally can be beneficial, but it shouldn’t be your primary treatment.
Because each strain has a unique chemical composition, their effects will vary slightly. Each strain has a different terpene profile, and terpenes—which give cannabis its distinct flavors and aromas—are also known to have health benefits that aid in stress relief. To find what works for you, don’t be scared to try a few different ones!
Best marijuana strains for depression
Since it all comes down to figuring out what works for your particular symptoms, choosing the best medical marijuana strain may require some trial and error. Others have discovered that the following strains are helpful for depression:
- Blue Dream
- Pineapple Express
- Harlequin
- Girl Scout Cookies
- XJ-13
- Sour Tsunami
- Jack Herer
- Blackberry Kush
- Grandaddy Purple
- Legality of medical marijuana
Anxiety and depression disorders are not approved uses for medical marijuana in all states where it is legal. First, see if you can get a medical marijuana card for these symptoms by checking your state’s laws (you can look through Leafly’s useful state-by-state guide). When you’re prepared to proceed, get in touch with Online Medical Card; we’ll provide you with the necessary details and assist you in beginning your medical cannabis application!
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized medical cannabis for the treatment of depression or anxiety. Visit the FDA website to learn more about federal cannabis research and drug approval. Additionally, if you are interested in cannabis cultivation, consider applying for a California growers license to legally grow and distribute cannabis in the state.
Note: Depression and anxiety are not considered qualifying conditions in every state. Please review the laws in your state.
