Depression is a serious mental illness that is characterized by intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and suffering for extended periods of time. This condition affects millions of people across the world and is extremely serious. As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people die from suicides related to depression every year! This mental condition is even more disturbing because it can be triggered by a variety of reasons or seem to have no root cause at all.
While depression is so widespread, modern medicine hasn’t yet found a clear cure for depression that works for everyone. The standard medical procedure currently used to treat depression is to start with regular sessions with a therapist while also taking antidepressants.
Talking to a therapist has proven to help many depression sufferers quite a bit. In all honesty, this practice is always a good idea, even for many of us who aren’t suffering from depression.
Unfortunately, almost all of the commonly prescribed antidepressants have some devastating side effects. But, does marijuana help with depression and anxiety? We will delve into this question below.
Human beings have used marijuana to treat a variety of physical and mental disorders, including depression and anxiety, for thousands of years. Nobody knows exactly WHY cannabis has worked so effectively to uplift people’s moods and calm them down. Luckily, some recent scientific studies have indicated that almost all forms of depression may actually have a common root cause. A large amount of growing evidence is pointing to the correlation between depression and an imbalanced endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of cannabinoids produced within the human body (known as endocannabinoids) and a collection of internal receptors (known as CB1 and CB2) that interact with them.
CB1 receptors are found primarily in the central nervous system. In comparison, CB2 receptors are located throughout the peripheral nervous system, digestive system, and white blood cells. This receptor-based network’s primary function is to maintain harmony between various parts of the body and brain.
If the wrong amount of endocannabinoids is produced internally, certain aspects of the mind and body can start to suffer as the CB1 and CB2 receptors react to abnormal cannabinoid levels. Here is where medical researchers are starting to believe that the roots of depression and anxiety reside.
THC seems to be the primary cannabinoid responsible for most of medical marijuana’s mood-enhancing effects. Quite surprisingly, THC alone has been also known to increase the chances of panic attacks.
Another medically powerful cannabinoid in marijuana, CBD is known to moderate the potential anxiety caused by THC. These two compounds (along with the hundreds of other cannabinoids) working together can help moderate any malfunctions in a person’s endocannabinoid system. They do this by providing usable free cannabinoids when the body cannot, in order to maintain homeostasis and proper function in the body.
Now that you more fully understand the potential uses of medical marijuana for depression, feel free to share your newfound knowledge.
If you happen to find yourself in need of obtaining cannabis for any of your depression or anxiety-related disorders, please feel free to visit us at Biofit.
Do you happen to live in the greater Miami area? Feel free to give us a call and set up an appointment to get your medical card. We pride ourselves on being the most professional and efficient service to help you discreetly get your medical card. Give us a call, today!
Biofit is a clinic located in Miami, Florida offering wellness, weight loss, and medical marijuana card evaluations. Our supportive staff is here to meet your healthcare goals by gaining access to a variety of services.
