Depression is a worldwide menace. Most people suffering from it try to hide the fact. Others going through it aren’t aware of how deadly it is and, therefore, don’t make any effort to rectify the situation. According to statistics, at least 16.2 million adults in the U.S. suffer from depression. Worse still, roughly 25% of the European population struggle with anxiety and depression.
If left untreated, depression can lead to disability, insanity in worst-case scenarios, hallucination, and even death. If you’re among the crowd battling with a condition such as Sunday Scaries, the good news is there’s a pain-free and effective way to cure it: By using cannabis.
What Causes Depression?
Before delving into how cannabis treats depression, it would be best to understand what depression is and its causes. Depression is a mood condition that involves a continuous feeling of loss of interest and sadness.
There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from circumstantial to biological. Some of the common causes of the condition include:
- Alcohol or drug misuse
- If you have a family member with it, your chances of getting it are high.
- A less-active frontal lobe
- Childhood trauma
- Medical conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, chronic pain, and insomnia
Can cannabis treat depression?
In February 2015, researchers at the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions discovered that chemical compounds in the cerebrum referred to as endocannabinoids connected to overall wellness feelings ignite similar receptors as some of the active compounds in marijuana.
The researchers further performed a test on rodents and discovered that the manufacture of endocannabinoids was greatly reduced in times of severe stress than under ordinary situations. They concluded that the compounds in cannabis (or marijuana) might be effective in battling depression symptoms and reviving the usual endocannabinoid function.
Ways Cannabis Can Treat Depression
1. It Can Help You Handle Stress
Stress is one of those states of mind that’s hard to avoid. Almost everywhere you look, it’s there staring you right in the face. Though you can’t avoid stress triggers, a significant way to deal with stress is to try and stop it as soon as it happens. Specialists recommend consuming 5- 25 mg of cannabis at least once daily. This, of course, depends on the variety of the cannabinoid as well as the individual.
The compound will interact with your anatomy’s endocannabinoid system, which assists in balancing serotonin neurotransmitters in the cerebrum. Such a process leads to stress relief.
Pro tip: As you use cannabis for stress alleviation, take deep breaths, relax, and go for low THC cannabis.
2. It May Aid in Relaxation
If you’re having a hard time taking things easy, cannabis can help you with that. The best forms of cannabis for relaxation are:
- Taking marijuana sublingually
- Vaporization
- Capsules
- Massage oils
- Gummies
Marijuana works with brain receptors CB1 and CB2 to assist in balancing serotonin levels in the cerebrum. Serotonin handles moods, stress, appetite, and anxiety. When balanced, you receive unexplainable peace, and that contributes significantly to maintaining your state of relaxation.
3. It May Assist in Mood-Boosting
Low moods are a significant contributor to suffering from depression. An individual who’s constantly upset ultimately sets the stage for anxiety in their life. Luckily, cannabis is a top mood booster. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system, or EDS, allocating various frame receptors to elevate cerebrum wellness, therefore raising your moods.
4. It Helps You Get More Sleep
How much sleep do you get every night? According to credible sources, a healthy adult should receive 7 to 9 hours of rest per night. Sleep is more than just closing your eyes and getting unconscious. It’s essential for a healthy body and mind. Some of the benefits of getting enough sleep are:
- It helps in lowering stress and boosting your mood.
- It assists you in making better decisions.
- It aids in memory retention.
- It helps you maintain a healthy weight.
- It lowers body inflammation.
If you’re struggling from depression, marijuana can help you get a whole night’s rest by inducing the NREM cycle, or non-rapid eye movement cycle, therefore enabling you to have some undisturbed sleep. Once you begin consuming marijuana, please maintain a healthy routine so your body will eventually adjust to it.
5. It May Help Clear Your Mind
Overthinking can not only cause a nasty headache, but it can ultimately lead to depression as well. It’s easier said than done if you’re grappling with depression. Most people handle it by practicing deep breathing and meditation.
You can do the same and include some cannabis in your sessions. This helps you achieve the expected results faster. Marijuana can interact with your anatomy’s neurotransmitters and receptors to balance the state of your mind.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis is effective for treating depression. Scientists are still working to broaden their findings on the link between marijuana and depression, but the available information is proof that cannabis a day keeps depression away. We strongly advise you to go for medical cannabis and find out all you can about a product before purchasing it. If you were having doubts about cannabis’ effectiveness, we believe that the above post has changed your mind. We wish you a quick recovery as you combat anxiety with cannabis.