Medical marijuana has amazing therapeutic properties. It can help patients manage symptoms of glaucoma, AIDS, and cancer. Moreover, research says that cannabis can help in treating psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Due to this, more patients are opting for marijuana treatment and getting MMJ recommendations from 420 doctors.
Also Read- Here’s How Can Marijuana Help You Achieve Mental Wellness?
There’s scientific evidence that cannabis can help in managing symptoms of various mental health conditions. Thus, more states are now legalizing the herb for medical use. However, in a legalized state, you need a doctor’s recommendation to access state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental disorder, which can affect a patient’s ability to focus, eat, and sleep. About 332 million people experience depression symptoms worldwide.
Here are some major forms of depression-
- Major Depressive Depression
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Major Symptoms of Depression
A patient suffering from depression may experience the following symptoms-
- Feeling sad and anxious
- Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
- Negative and suicidal thoughts
- Trouble sleeping and concentrating
- Appetite loss and weight loss
- Restlessness and irritability
- Headaches
- Loss of interest in the activities that the patient used to enjoy
What Causes Depression?
There are many factors associated with the development of depression, including biological and circumstantial. The most common ones are-
- Chronic stress
- Loneliness
- Family history
- Death of a loved one
- A serious illness such as chronic pain, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Substance abuse
There are many ways to diagnose depression. Your therapist can perform a psychological evaluation that involves a series of questions about your mood, feelings, daily activities, sleep pattern, etc.
Available Treatment Options For Depression
When it comes to depression treatment, there’s a wide range of options available. One is maintaining a healthy lifestyle, by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, etc. Research shows that adding meditation in your routine and exercising regularly can help in boosting the endorphins, thus boosting mood and managing depression symptoms.
Psychotherapy is another effective treatment for depression. It works by changing the thinking patterns of the patients. It’s focused on thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, and developing the skills to help the patients deal with their anxiety and depression symptoms. Some of the common forms of therapy are—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Family-Focused Therapy.
For managing depression symptoms, therapists also recommend medications to many patients. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are common antidepressants that work by boosting the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which carries signals between neurons.
How Can Marijuana Help in Treating Depression?
Marijuana use helps in relaxing & calming the mind and boosting energy levels. Thus, the herb is effective in managing depression symptoms.
Marijuana treatment for depression works the same way as antidepressants. But, it doesn’t cause any side-effects, such as headaches, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness, sexual problems, appetite loss, etc. In other words, marijuana is a fast-acting, natural alternative to antidepressants. It helps in stimulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), thus changing the way thought processes work.
Also Read- How Does The Endocannabinoid System Work?
The marijuana plant comprises more than 100 cannabinoids. When using marijuana for medical purposes, there’s a wide range of options available, such as smoking, vaping, topicals, tinctures, etc. When cannabinoids are delivered into the body through any method, they bind to the receptors in the ECS, thus enhancing mood, relieving anxiety, boosting sleep, focus, and energy.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that provides ultimate pain and anxiety relief. A CBD-based medication Epidiolex is approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of seizures related to Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
According to a study published by the Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health, pain relief is one of the major benefits of cannabis use. Researchers noted that cannabis consumption helped in reducing pain. Moreover, many participants reported a significant reduction in anxiety and improved sleep.
A 2006 study reported that using marijuana occasionally or daily helped reduce depression symptoms. Researchers at McGill University found that low-THC doses can help in producing serotonin whereas high-THC doses can worsen the symptoms of depression.
Thus, you should be careful when using cannabis as a treatment for depression. Spend more time to analyze your condition, how your body responds to cannabinoids, and select the right strains with optimal levels of THC and CBD.
Buying & Using Cannabis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the coronavirus pandemic, cannabis can help people promote wellness in various ways-
Relieving stress
With many states issued stay-at-home orders, people are worried about career, future, etc. Marijuana can help in managing stress, depression, and anxiety by calming and relaxing the mind.
Reducing Pain
Marijuana provides amazing pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Unlike prescription medications, it doesn’t cause any unpleasant side-effects.
Boosting Immune System
Increasing immunity can help in reducing the risks of the coronavirus. According to a study published in the AIDS Research and Human Retrovirus, THC can help in accelerating the production of CD8 and CD4 cells in monkeys.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, you need to adopt some health & safety habits for cannabis consumption, such as-
- Avoiding sharing bong or joint with anyone
- Practicing social distancing and staying at home
- Washing your hands with soap and water regularly
Also, cannabis dispensaries are kept open, allowing people to access marijuana products for medical purposes. However, we advise you to stay safe at home and prefer other options such as ordering online and curbside pickup.
Be aware of the COVID-19 symptoms—dry cough, fever, and trouble breathing. If your loved one or you experience these symptoms, seek professional advice immediately.
Getting a Medical Marijuana Card Online
As per federal regulations, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug and is illegal in any form. Still, 33 states allow medical use of cannabis currently. To access marijuana legally, you require a medical marijuana card signed by a licensed doctor.
Telemedicine services allow patients to apply for their 420 evaluations from home. Here’s the complete process-
- Sign up an account
- Talk to the doctor over the HIPAA-compliant platform
- Receive your PDF MMJ recommendation letter in the email
During the coronavirus pandemic, telemedicine can help patients to receive medical care remotely. It helps patients to meet the social distancing goal to stay protected from the COVID-19 while getting professional medical advice.
Takeaway
Marijuana possesses amazing medicinal properties that can help in improving mood, energy levels, and managing the symptoms of depression. It contains cannabinoids that help in correcting the endocannabinoid deficiency by binding to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system. There’s a wide range of strains with different levels of CBD and THC available. You should do complete research, and get the right strains to manage your symptoms completely.
Cannabis treatment for depression can be used as a natural alternative to antidepressants because it doesn’t cause any unpleasant side-effects. It’s good to seek professional advice related to choosing the right cannabis product, dosage, etc. for managing your condition.
Talk to one of our 420 doctors to get your medical marijuana recommendations today!