Potential health benefits of marijuana have been in the limelight recently. Many states have legalized this substance and enabled its citizens to register for medical marijuana cards. Health professionals across the globe recommend it to their patients to aid pain relief, stress, anxiety, and depression.
So, is cannabis good for depression and does depression qualify for medical cannabis? This is a complex question that we’ve tried our best to explain in the article below. Let’s start.
Which Marijuana Compounds Improve Anxiety and Depression Symptoms?
When we talk about marijuana in terms of its medicinal and stress relief effects, there are two main compounds we should discuss in more detail – THC and CBD. While both of these compounds are derived from the same plant, their effects and use have different purposes.
First, let’s distinguish between the two:
- THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and it is a psychotropic marijuana compound that is responsible for getting you ‘’high’’ and ‘’buzzed.’’ It is most commonly extracted with the help of some solvents, such as alcohol, or by using the CO2 cannabis extraction method.
- CBD, on the other hand, stands for cannabidiol, and it is a compound that doesn’t have any strong psychotropic effects. Manufacturers usually extract it from hemp. You can either smoke CBD or ingest it through oils.
When it comes to relieving anxiety and depression symptoms, both have their benefits and downsides. Because it’s psychoactive, THC can have a negative effect on someone’s anxiety symptoms, especially in high doses.
However, some research suggests that THC in lower doses can be beneficial for anxiety and depression, which we will cover in-depth further in this article.
CBD is usually recommended for individuals who suffer from anxiety and depression because of its non-psychoactive properties. CBD comes in two main forms, buds and oils, both of which have extremely low THC contents – from 0-0.3% THC.
As a best practice, we would highly recommend consulting with your physician before making any final decisions.
Can I Have an Adverse Reaction?
Even though marijuana is safe and almost impossible to overdose on, some are more sensitive to its effects compared to others. If you consume concentrates or smoke too much bud high in THC, you might experience confusion, faster heart pace, increased blood pressure, and sometimes vomiting.
So, before going in head first, it’s better to test the waters beforehand. If your physician recommended marijuana as a potential anxiety or depression treatment, start with lower doses and see whether the effect helps you. Otherwise, the effects might be completely opposite than what you initially anticipated.
Here’s What Research Says
Researchers at the University of Illinois have performed research where they tested whether THC has stress-related benefits. They gave lower doses of THC to one group, while the other group received higher doses.
The results have shown that the individuals who were subjected to smaller doses experienced less stress during examinations. Group that consumed higher doses, on the other hand, has reported that they felt more stressed and anxious.
Where Can I Buy Medical Marijuana?
First, you have to check whether medicinal marijuana is legal in your state. If it is, make sure to consult your physician and check the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. If your condition is eligible, then you’ll be able to obtain a medical marijuana card.
Here’s what you should do:
- See your preferred physician and check whether your particular condition is eligible
- Complete the registration process on the Medical Marijuana Use registry
- Find a certified dispensary and choose a suitable marijuana product
At Shango, we offer a wide variety of cannabis products, both for recreational and medicinal use. You can order your product online, choose the curb pickup option, or have the product delivered straight to your doorstep.
