How Does Medical Marijuana Work For Depression Patients?

• Don’t feel like going out and spending the whole day sitting on the couch
• Thinking why are you on the earth for, you should kill yourself
• Negative thoughts and questioning about your abilities

Depression patients comprehensively understand these thoughts. Although there’s a wide range of medications for treating depression available, they can lead to unpleasant side-effects.

There’s scientific evidence that marijuana can help in alleviating symptoms of depression, thus promoting both physical and mental wellness. In the past few decades, more patients are opting for medical cannabis treatment.

As you know medical cannabis is legal in 33 US states currently. Those who are interested in using the herb for health benefits can talk to medical marijuana doctors Los Angeles to apply for 420 evaluations.

Medical Marijuana Treatment For Depression

As per WHO, depression is a common illness that affects over 300 million people across the world. So, if you are suffering from depression, you are not alone. And, you need not worry as the condition is treatable.

Researchers have found that marijuana can be used as a natural treatment for fighting depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. A cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, which have amazing medicinal properties. The inside story of how cannabinoids work is that they engage with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), and improve health.

Marijuana can help patients fight depression in various ways. One is reducing pain. CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid is effective in treating pain. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Another common symptom among depression patients is lack of sleep. Marijuana’s psychoactive cannabinoid (THC – tetrahydrocannabinol) delivers sedative effects, thus boosting sleep and alleviating other related symptoms.

Sometimes, depression is linked to eating disorders like anorexia. CBD and THC can also help in stimulating metabolism and appetite. 

However, researchers have found that lack of serotonin levels can also lead to depression and other mental health conditions. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which is responsible for regulating various functions such as sleep, appetite, memory, sexual desire, etc. Cannabinoids found in marijuana can help increase serotonin levels, thus boosting mood.

Let’s see what the latest studies on marijuana for depression have to say-

In a 2016 study, researchers found that occasional/daily marijuana users are less likely to experience depressive symptoms, compared to those who never use the herb. The study also confirmed that low THC doses can help in fighting depression while high doses can worsen the symptoms.

In 2014, the Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health published a study, which found that pain management is one of the main benefits of marijuana use. Marijuana users reported a reduction in pain by 64%. And, most of the users reported improved sleep and reduced anxiety.

However, when using marijuana for treating depression, choosing the right strain is important. Here’s a list of the top strains for depression patients-

• Super Sour Diesel
• Pineapple Kush
• Royal Kush
• Northern Lights
• Haze Berry
• Royal Moby
• Harlequin
• Amnesia Haze

Getting Legal Access to Medical Marijuana

To access cannabis products from any state-licensed dispensary, you require an MMJ recommendation letter signed by one of the medical marijuana doctors Los Angeles. However, with telemedicine services, you can get it within 10 minutes. Here’s the process-

• Sign up an account
• Talk to the doctor
• Receive your PDF MMJ recommendation letter

To sum up, depression is a common mental illness, which can cause sleep problems, fatigue, loss of appetite, lack of concentration, weight gain/loss, etc. Marijuana has medicinal properties, which can help fight these symptoms. Researchers have found that cannabinoids in the herb are effective in increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and sexual desire.
Talk to medical marijuana doctors Los Angeles to get your MMJ card today!