It is difficult to answer this question as whether or not marijuana is effective in treatment of anxiety and depression. Follow up to find out.

Depression and anxiety

Despite the fact that minimal research has been carried out on marijuana and anxiety, there exist a rule of thumb on its use to treat anxiety. It is with noting that cannabidiol, a compound of marijuana helps with bringing about relaxation. In people with high levels of anxiety, it is advised that they use strains with higher CBD but lower CBD or rather high CBD and THC. Strains such as Granddaddy Purple have been reported to to be effective in lowering anxiety. The way of consumption of marijuana determine how fast one experiences the effects. While smoking marijuana, one experiences effects instantly while ingestion will be associated with delayed effects taking half an hour or so. Generally, CBD has been observed to relieve social anxiety during public speaking. However, marijuana consumption comes with it’s own risks.

Risk and effects of using marijuana

• Increased need

There is a possibility of one developing tolerance to marijuana. What does this suggest? It means that the more often one uses it, the more they will have the urge to get the ‘high’ feeling brought about by use of marijuana. Therefore, it creates more problems of dependency.

• Memory loss in the long term

Often, memory loss is caused by the compound known as THC which happen to tamper with a certain region of the brain. That area is called hippocampus and is responsible for forming of memories. In addition, use of marijuana could have negative effects on the motivation system of the brain which is not a thing to look forward to.

• Increased levels of Psychiatric Disorder

To begin with, use of marijuana for extended periods tend to have greater symptoms of depression irrespective of the improvement they might have obtained in the course of short term use. In addition to that, high doses of marijuana could negatively affect teenage girls by increasing rates of both depression and anxiety in them in future years. Also, specific individuals could suffer the risk of development of psychosis due to the use of marijuana.

• Psychological dependence

Use of marijuana on frequent occasions could cause one to be psychologically dependent on its use.

• Symptoms exacerbation

Notably, THC have the ability of raising one’s heart rate. This means that if the intention was to treat anxiety, then one becomes even more anxious. Notably, marijuana could induce orthostatic hypertension which is a sudden drop in the level of blood pressure while one is standing this bringing about a faint feeling. More marijuana could make an anxious person to feel more paranoid. Other effects causes by marijuana include nausea, dizziness, confusion as well as blurred vision which when combined will overally to result to more anxiety.

Alternative methods of treating anxiety

1. Alternative medication

There exist alternative ways of treating anxiety. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors commonly known as SSRIs.

2. Therapy

This could be by visit help programs that specialize in anxiety elimination and empowerment of oneself.

If you happen to be located at a place where recreational marijuana has been legalized, you can go ahead and use it but keep in mind that you could be working on increament of your anxiety rather than decreasing it. Maybe you could end up less stressed or even happy.

Depression and marijuana

To begin with, it is worth to note that marijuana use for treatment of depression is still under investigation on whether it is credible enough. We could rather say that the investigation is still in it’s early stages. Notably, researchers claim that marijuana confer benefits to patients where it assists in restoration of the normal way of operation of the body including mood stabilization. That is is achieved by the help of the endocannabinoid function of marijuana.

What does researchers say?

There exist scientists that have been looking at marijuana with a perspective that it helps to treat depression resulting from chronic stress. Those are the Scientists at the University of Buffalo. They have paying much attention to specifically brain chemicals commonly known as endocannabinoids. They happen to be chemical compounds that are naturally produced. Often, they perform actions such as cognitive behaviors as well as emotions and motor control. Notably, they contains similar chemical compounds as to those of marijuana constituents.

Investigation was not carried out on humans but animals and they found out that chronic stress may alter with the production of endocannabinoid by the brain. This could possibly result to depression. Therefore, consumption of marijuana may assist in restoration of the normal levels as well as functions and his easing the symptoms brought about by depression.

Research was carried out to study people that had used marijuana to treat chronic pain and 71 percent of them were reported to have no significant side effects while 6 percent suffered cough as well as throat irritation. Notably, there is no clear evidence that marijuana use leads to depression. However, there I could be a link between the two. This is because heavy users of marijuana have been reported to have medical conditions such as depression more often as compared to non-smokers. In addition, marijuana has been linked other mental conditions such as psychosis and schizophrenia. Psychosis happens to be a very serious mental disorder that is characterized by a detachment from reality. It’s symptoms include delusions and hallucinations.

 However, more studies ought to be carried out to assess whether or not marijuana advantages outweigh disadvantages. Also, researchers ought to figure out whether cannabinoid could give mood boosting benefits without resulting to drug dependency. That way, it will be safe to advocate for or be against the use of marijuana in treatment of depression.

Risk involved in the process of consuming marijuana

• Side effects brought up from using of marijuana may depend on the method of consumption that one chooses.
• Views on whether marijuana will cause or eradicate depression are mixed.
• The use of marijuana may trigger psychosis as well as schizophrenia in people that suffer a high risk of these conditions.

Alternative treatments for depression.

Often, treatments vary depending on the severity of one’s case. It is possible to treat or rather manage mild, moderate as well as severe depression. Mild depression may respond well to psychosocial treatments such as psychotherapy. In most cases, drugs fail to be a recommendation for treatment of mild cases of depression. Psychological treatment such as interpersonal or behavior psychotherapy happen to be a good way of treatment for people suffering from moderate as well as severe depression. On the other hand, antidepressants are an alternative way of treating severe depression. Examples of antidepressants include selective serotonin, tricyclic antidepressants as well as reuptake inhibitors. Notably, depressants should be used with much caution in both children and teenagers that may happen to suffer from depression.

Helpful tips for coping with depression

While suffering from depression, one ought to visit a doctor so that they can develop a treatment plan. Once established, patients may go ahead and take further steps at home so that they can cope with depression. Some of those tips are listed below.

1. Start journaling

Notably, this could be a healthy outlet for one to not only openly but also honestly do away with sad feelings, fear as well as anger.

2. Attempt elimination of extra responsibilities or rather stressors

This tip will assist one in giving themselves room to have a breather at times when they may feet not okay.

3. Ensure that your days get to be more structured

One should make sure that they add structure to their day. This could be by going that extra mile of setting up a reminder so that they may avoid to miss from attending to events that would term them as irresponsible upon failure to attending to them.

4. Consult groups that will assist in boosting of your mental health

Such groups may include church, employer, friends or generally an assistance program. Surrounding oneself with such people may help in elimination of depression from one’s life. Be sure to check out on program such as the National Alliance on Mental illness as they may be of great alternative assistance. Also people with depression should consider visiting a group known as Bipolar Support Alliance for assistance.

5. Discover fun ways to engage in so as to overcome depression

Life is never that serious. You could solve your problems of depression by simply taking some time to meditate, taking a walk as well as engaging themselves in yoga.

6. Avoid isolation of oneself

Despite the fact that it could prove to be difficult especially if one is an introvert, avoiding isolation might be life changing for people living with depression. This is because having a support network around one has more benefits that disadvantages.

Despite the fact that the research field appear more promising in carrying out searches more investigation should be done to assess whether medical marijuana is an effective way of treating depression. Do you happen to be a depressed person living in an marijuana legalized region and want to try it to eliminate depression? Well, u can go ahead and consult your doctor. You could be lucky to work with them to determine if marijuana is the ultimate option of prescription to your case. The doctor may also suggest alternative ways of treating your depression and together you may come up with a good approach of eliminating it.