Medical Cannabis for Depression
What Is Depression?
Although we all experience feelings of sadness from time to time, permanently feeling down and having lost interest or pleasure in daily life might be an indication of a more serious problem: depression. According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the main causes of disability in the world, affecting individuals young and old. On this page, we aim to help you better understand the link between medical cannabis and depression, ultimately helping you make the most informed healthcare decision for your specific needs.
Classified as a mood disorder, depression involves feeling a persistent feeling of loss of interest and sadness and can be caused by a wide range of life events such as bereavement. Sometimes referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, depression can affect your thoughts and behavior and possibly lead to a range of physical and emotional problems.
Medical Cannabis and Depression
According to a 2014 study from the Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health, medical cannabis and depression might actually be very good friends. In the study, it was highlighted that pain management is just one potential benefit of using medical cannabis for depression. Many participants in the study also reported a decrease in anxiety levels as well as better sleep while using cannabis to treat depression.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo have started exploring medical cannabis as a potential treatment for depression, focusing specifically on endocannabinoids, a specific set of brain chemicals that play a role in emotions and behavior. Surprisingly, endocannabinoids have a chemical makeup similar to that of medical cannabis. Scientists have found that the use of cannabis to treat depression might assist with restoring the brain’s normal levels of endocannabinoids and potentially ease symptoms of depression.
How Can Medical Cannabis Help Treat Depression?
Studies have indicated that medical cannabis might be useful for treating conditions such as depression. THC and CBD (two of the major compounds of medical cannabis) both act on the brain and could potentially increase serotonin and theoretically help treat depression.
Medical cannabis might play a role in the treatment of issues that may cause the onset of depression and potentially control some depression symptoms. Medical cannabis can potentially help treat chronic pain, a symptom that often goes hand-in-hand with depression. Two other symptoms that also often accompany depression, insomnia and anxiety, may also be treated with medical cannabis.
How to Get Medical Cannabis for Depression
At Canadian Cannabis Clinics, we offer you access to medical experts that are extremely knowledgeable on the topic of medical cannabis and depression. As a patient, you will consult with healthcare practitioners and a cannabis educator to determine your individual needs.
Our educators will help you obtain the documents needed to purchase your medical cannabis from the best-matched licensed cultivator for your specific needs. We will also take care of all the registration paperwork with your licensed cultivator.
Patients are also assisted with recommendations as to which medical cannabis products may address their depression symptoms and are instructed on the use of cannabis. Aside from personal guidance, Canadian Cannabis Clinics also provides all our patients with an in-depth guidebook and offer online, email and telephone support. Here at CCC, we have helped thousands of patients find relief from depression and can truly help you find the product best suited for your needs.
Virtual Appointment
Appointment is online through a secure and private video call.
Clinic Appointment
Appointment is in one of our clinics across Canada.