Medical Marijuana Shows Promise For Treating Depression

Well no kidding. Now ain’t that a surprise?

Natural Society – by Christina Sarich

Depression currently affects almost 15 million people in the US every year. Similar numbers can be found in Europe. Depression and anxiety disorders cost us approximately $42 billion annually, comprising a whopping third of the mental health bill of the country. Is it possible that simple cannabinoids in medical marijuana can help treat this debilitating and costly mental health condition? [1]  

Scientists at the University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) have been studying chronic stress and depression, with a focus on endocannabinoids to cure these ailments. Endocannabinoids are made by our own bodies when we are healthy, and there are similar chemical constituents in medical marijuana.

Endocannabinoids play a vital role in regulating our stress response, because they communicate with the endocrine system to tell it when to release certain hormones, among them stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, as well as happy-hormones like oxytocin and serotonin. [2]

Endocannabinoids also help to regulate our immune system, lipids in our blood, and even body weight by controlling hormones like leptin. As the name suggests, they are similar to the chemicals found in marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and its active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Forget Marijuana Madness: Could Marijuana Treat Depression?

The researchers at RIA have discovered that medical marijuana’s cannabinoids might be very useful in regulating our ability to overcome symptoms of depression and anxiety caused by chronic stress. Senior research scientist Samir Haj-Dahmane, PhD explains:

“In the animal models we studied, we saw that chronic stress reduced the production of endocannabinoids, leading to depression-like behavior.”

Endocannabinoids affect everything from motor control to how we feel, and as the researchers said:

“Chronic stress is one of the major causes of depression. Using compounds derived from cannabis — marijuana — to restore normal endocannabinoid function could potentially help stabilize moods and ease depression.”

Though the research is still considered preliminary and has been tested only on animals, the results look promising. Haj-Dahmane states:

“. . . we have seen that some people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder have reported relief using marijuana.”

The next aims of the research team include finding out if the animals can restore emotional balance without exhibiting increased tolerance to the marijuana extract, cannabidiol (CBD).

The study, co-authored by RIA senior research scientists Roh-Yu Shen, PhD, was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. It appeared in the fall issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. [3]

Sources:

[1] Anxiety and Depression Association of America

[2] PubMed

[3] Patients for Medical Cannabis

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43 thoughts on “Medical Marijuana Shows Promise For Treating Depression”

      1. I’d love to brother. As Diggerdan would say, “Let’s smoke one and think about it!”

        I watched him roll the most magnificent “fatty’s” in his day, I’ll try, but I’m an amateur compared to what he could do one handed. Of course, it helps to have long-ass fingers like Diggerdan did.

        Reply

  2. Utter garbage, of “course” it will help since it does the same this as pharmaceuticals: dulls your mind.

    Here is something no one has apparently ever thought of: cure the SOURCE of the depression rather than DOPE someone into thinking they are ok. How is THAT for a novelty idea? Depressed? Whats wrong with your existence? Oh, your life sucks? Well forget this green weed or blue pill, go fix your life!

    Reply

    1. The good lord provided us with this most wonderful plant.
      I can see there’s no remedy for your “Reefer Madness” so I won’t even try. So how long were you abused?

      Reply

          2. SSDD Paul. Waiting for short sleeve weather. Ain’t had much, if any, just yet, but Spring’s sprung so it shouldn’t be too long.

          3. Hang in there Millard. wont be long till you and that little critter will be skippin down the street. 🙂

    2. Vekar, I’ll bet you never smoked weed in your life, and if you did, you “pulled” a Bill Clinton, “I didn’t inhale” just to “go along”.

      Reply

    3. Fix of the my life, Huh? It’s sheeples like you that make my life difficult. You come on this site and try to impose your sense of morality like your a man of the cloth. I’m tired of it. Judgmental, and damning, it’s really nauseating.

      Reply

    4. I smoke it because it makes me feel good and enhances my experience for my personal journey through this life.
      There are things in this life that suck and I do aim to fix them.
      Marijuana is a part of this natural world we live in and it makes this world better.
      Some people get high on religion, others high on the accumulation of status and wealth, some of us just enjoy getting high.
      You’re lucky digger isn’t here. 🙂

      Reply

      1. 🙂 well said brother. I can hear Digger now. I’m sure Millard can too. Hope you are well.

        Hope one day to meet you and yours. Maybe spin a fatty with y’all. 🙂 🙂

        Carry on brother.

        Reply

          1. LOL
            Had computer problems. Just got a new modem and a computer check up so I’m back online (knock on wood).

      3. Oh man Henry, can you imagine the “cork” that would’ve “popped” and the tirade following! Diggerdan would be “on it” for days! lol

        Reply

          1. You and me both Paul. Come May 22, I’ll be in Diggerdan’s favorite spot, smokin’ a “fatty” in his honor.

    5. “Here is something no one has apparently ever thought of: cure the SOURCE of the depression…”

      Oh, we’ve thought of that, alright. In fact, it’s what most of us probably think about much of the time.

      That would entail killing all of the communists in this country, starting with the entire so-called ‘government’. That’s the ONLY cure available. So, until that glorious day arrives, I guess we’ll just have to make do with what’s currently available to us.

      btw, Henry & Millard are absolutely right about digger. He’d have shot you right in the face with 00 buckshot (figuratively speaking).

      Reply

  3. I only get depressed when I’m out.

    The sh#t I read every day on the internet tends to be extremely depressing. Mother Nature’s tranquilizer helps to dull the rage.

    Reply

    1. It is difficult to watch war, famine, death, rage, 24/7 and not be emotionally affected. But then, isn’t that their intent?

      “Arrest him, he has medicine that makes him immune to our efforts! We must quash this!” He may be able to cope otherwise!”

      Reply

      1. Bottom line is… it beats the hell out of ANYTHING Big Pharma has to offer.

        Although I was partial to Valium back in the day. Even had a prescription for it, as well as for Vicodin. But I wouldn’t touch anything else they dispense.

        Reply

        1. Vicodin, turned my stomach, I couldn’t tolerate it. “Mother’s little helper’s” worked OK, but, on the other hand……….. a good “fatty” had more clinical significance regarding symptom relief in the long run. And that’s not just me. I suspect millions have discovered the healing qualities of this gift.

          Reply

  4. Ok …. you people struck a chord with me.
    First off .. one of my favorite movies is half baked by Dave Chappelle.
    I love that scene were he asks Kenney.
    How long can you make it in here.
    He says…..5 maybe 6:30.
    Anyway. …
    On a serious note.
    I’ll give you a little secret.
    I have astral projected one time.
    It was beautiful and also frightening.
    How did I do it you may ask?
    Well here you go.
    For three days I fasted and drank nothing but water.
    Cause the creator and its spirits will not connect to your soul filled with feces and puss.
    I boiled my old stems and made a strong batch of weed tea.
    Opened my third eye.
    Now I’ve done acid , mushrooms …smoked angel dust in my drug use.
    But this was something I was not prepared for.
    So I fasted….drank the tea and it was the biggest trip I’ve ever been on.
    As I was traveling in space passing the planets in my mind and soul.
    I had to ask myself at one point.
    Am I dead?
    Because in my heart I didn’t want to come back.
    Just don’t get distracted by the fourth dimensional ghouls on the way to the light.
    Make sure you have someone around to bring you back and break the silver chord.
    Luckily my dog started barking and pulled me back.
    Think what you want of my comment.
    I don’t care.

    Reply

  5. flee, I’m a Chappelle fan only because he “kept it real”. He walked away from 50 million at Comedy Central because they wanted “creative” control over his material. I absolutely loved the “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories.” LOL 🙂

    As far as the rest of your comment, no comment. I keep that type of life experience to myself, it’s a personal thing, personal to you, other people won’t understand and may think the “cheese has slid off the cracker”.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Mill….
      What I have revealed.
      Is what I have experienced in my life.
      These are the types of secrets that the ancients have known through our history.
      The “Occulted” knowledge.
      That’s why they rule over us.
      I have this knowledge.
      But I do not practice sorcery.
      I don’t use my occult knowledge to cast spells and put curses on people.
      Athough I have before….not knowing the power I and everyone else has.
      I feel remorseful of that.
      I didn’t mean to leave a trail of death behind me.
      I also ask God to forgive me for what I have done.

      Reply

  6. I smoked pot every once in a while and tried some other drugs in my younger days. Today my drug use is limited to excessive coffee consumption and some alcohol here and there. Still, I absolutely respect the right of everyone to use whatever drug(s) they wish, at least in private. And believe me, if I wanted to use illegal drugs, no laws would stop me.

    We’re all entitled to our opinions about the lifestyle choices others make, but one thing is for sure: none of it is any of the government’s damned business. Each of us owns his or her own body and health — we are NOT owned by the government, nor are we owned by “society.” Addiction to hard drugs like heroin and coke is a MEDICAL problem, just like alcoholism or glue-sniffing addiction.

    What if people act crazy and commit violent acts while high on something? Then they should be held responsible for those acts, just as if they’d been drunk instead of high. The use of one intoxicant rather than another should have little to do with anything.

    Making drugs illegal discourages addicts from getting help, and of course prohibition leads to tremendous social costs such as gang violence, institutional corruption, and loss of civil liberties. I also resent the way the pigs are given an unofficial pass to use anabolic steroids that are illegal for everyone else (not that I would choose to use them even if they were legal).

    Reply

      1. At one time it most certainly was. 🙂 Judy say’s I can have a girlfriend if she has a really god job. I say I’m too tired to train another. I also realize she is joking. No other could hold a candle to her.

        Reply

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