Marijuana and Depression

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Marijuana is sometimes use to treat clinical depression, and may be recommended by physicians in states where medical marijuana is permitted. Some patients report that symptoms associated with both anxiety and depression have been eased with use. Recent research also shows that marijuana users are less likely to be depressed by non-users.^[1]

However, marijuana has also been said to cause depression. Some evidence suggests a higher likelihood of depression among marijuana users, which may either be a side effect or an indication that depressed people use marijuana more often than others.^[2] As is typical with controversial subjects like marijuana, conflicting research makes it difficult to determine the facts.

Contents 1 About Marijuana 2 About Marijuana and Depression 3 Obama's Views on Medical Marijuana 4 References

About Marijuana

Marijuana is a natural substance that is derived from Cannabis sativa plants. The flowers and leaves of the plant (along with stems and seeds) are dried and then typically smoked in a joint (marijuana cigarette) or from a pipe or a bong. Sometimes marijuana is placed into a vaporizer, which heats it up to produce a vapor (which is then inhaled), but does not burn it so there is no smoke. Marijuana can also be brewed into a tea or prepared in foods.

The active ingredient in marijuana is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly called THC. THC is what causes the high feeling, and it is also made synthetically to use in the oral drug Marinol.^[3] When marijuana is smoked, the effects of the THC are strongest for the first few hours, and then they gradually decrease. The effects of marijuana may be felt for up to 24 hours.^[4]

About Marijuana and Depression

Marijuana may affect different individuals in different ways. Depression is one of the many medical conditions that marijuana is used to treat, and some users find it effective.^[5] However, marijuana is not approved by the FDA to treat any medical conditions, despite the medical distribution of the drug allowed by some U.S. states.^[3]

It has long been suspected that depressed individuals are more likely to use marijuana. Even if this is the case, it is not clear whether the depression is caused by the drug or if it is used in an attempt to self-medicate. Some studies suggest that there may be a causal link. For example, one Australian study found that depressed teens were not more likely to use marijuana later in life, which some interpret to mean that depression does not induce marijuana use. One Swedish report showed that teenage marijuana users were more likely to develop schizophrenia later in life, despite mental health at the onset of the study.^[6]

Rates of depression, as well as anxiety and schizophrenia, may be higher in marijuana users who smoke it on a regular basis. In addition, users who started out an an earlier age may possibly be more prone to these conditions. Again, however, it is not clear whether frequent or young marijuana users are merely predetermined to have these conditions and use the drug as a coping mechanism.^[7]

Obama's Views on Medical Marijuana

Also See: Marijuana Side Effects, Marijuana and Cancer, Marijuana and Anxiety, Abilify Coupons, Medical Marijuana, Marijuana and Pain, Marijuana and Weight, Marijuana Coupons

References

1. ↑ http://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/130/marijuana-and-depression/
2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/marijuana-and-depression/AN01900
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} http://www.justice.gov/dea/ongoing/marinol.html
4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects
5. ↑ http://depression.about.com/cs/drugsalcohol/f/potmeds.htm
6. ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0503c.shtml
7. ↑ http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html