Marijuana and depression

[tim_19]

Ok, so I know that this question has been asked a lot but I need some straight answers with proof I suppose.

Ok, so does use of marijuana make those ALREADY with depression worse?

Im not talking about smoking when your down, or smoking everyday to keep your mood up, but say, using it 3 times a week, does it make depression worse? in the long run, not at the time.

Coz, i absolutely love my herb, smoke about 3 times a week, but only very recently, but I also have clinical depression. Marijuana helps with a few things but im worried it might make it worse.

[snicklefritz1825]

I have the same type of depression. And I smoke if I lived in a state with med-marijuana I'd be aproved. Somtimes if my highs are to intense I start to think so negativly I'd depress myself. But just smoke or eat marijuana and it could be the miracle you have been waiting for.:thumbsup:Everyone reacts different so it might not be for you.

[tim_19]

adding to my post before, and in response to yours ^.
I dont just mean when your high, im talking about the period after. for example, i smoke friday night. i dont have a smoke till sunday, or, even monday. Do those days in between result in worse depression than when if i didnt smoke at all?

thats what im inquiring about.

:thumbsup:

[beachguy in thongs]

The symptoms, of marijuana use, last about seven days. They're still studying it, but, they have sufficient evidence to show that it may cause psychotic symptoms, later in life.

About a year ago, there was a study showing that cannabis had anti-depressant, and, anxiolytic-like effects.


the acute euphoriant effect of cannabis may mask a chronic depressive symptomatology induced by chronic cannabis consumption.
Encephale. 2004 Mar-Apr;30(2):141-6.

And, to answer your question...

If you let it.

[beachguy in thongs]

I believe that you can overcome, nearly anything, with the power of your brain.

I have never seen a hypnotist, in person, but, self-hypnosis could make it possible for you to feel the way you want to.

[Storm Crow]

Decreased depression in marijuana users.
Decreased depression in marijuana users. (http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/15964704)

Antidepressant-like activity
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=16352709

Cannabis and Depression
AAMC: Cannabis and Depression (http://www.pacifier.com/~alive/cmu/depression_and_cannabis.htm)

Association between cannabis use and depression may not be causal, study says
IACM-Bulletin (http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/bulletin/ww_en_db_cannabis_artikel.php?id=177#4)

Marijuana use and depression among adults: Testing for causal associations.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=16968348&ordinalpos=412&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Do patients use marijuana as an antidepressant?
Do patients use marijuana as an antidepressant? [Depression. 1996] - PubMed Result (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=9160645&ordinalpos=32&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVDocSum)

Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant
'Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant: The Hempire - [cannabis, london] (http://www.thehempire.com/index.php/cannabis/news/cannabis_acts_as_antidepressant)

Cannabis And Depression Research
Cannabis And Depression Research: The Hempire - [cannabis, britain] (http://www.thehempire.com/index.php/cannabis/news/cannabis_and_depression_research)


And as a personal note, my hubby is a chronic depressive. He's on SSI for it. A doobie is just what he needs at times to get him feeling better. Doesn't always work, but it usually helps.- Granny:hippy:

[Sir Bliss]

Here's how it is for me.

I don't think I'm clinically depressed. I've never been admitted to a doctor for depression and I haven't been diagnosed or anything. In fact, I've never even seen a doctor about my possible depression. I rarely bring it up around my family, and I think for the most part, they haven't the slightest idea (mainly because I no longer live at home). I have many, almost all, of the symptoms for different forms of depression so it's probably best that I get 'treated' one of these days. It's by no means extremely serious all the time, but there are my moments.

Bud did, and still does, make me happy. I used to smoke way more than a do now (1-5 times daily). These days I find myself smoking maybe once a week. This is for a number of reasons--mainly college. When I was smoking very often, I was always happy...when I was high. My depressed tendencies were out the window. They did not exist. However, when I would fall into dry spells, I wouldn't be so happy. It didn't carry on the next day or anything. I would slowly but surely feel sad, depressed, and the works.

So to answer your question (based off of my situation(s)) -- Weed did treat my depression, but only when I had some and was actually smoking it. If I would go a couple days without smoking, or my high was becoming a low; my depression would still linger. A little, mind you, but it was there. It was not withdrawal because I'm more than fine going a week or two without smoking these days.

I don't know. I'm rambling on. There's so much more to it than a simple post can explain. I could right a fucking novel about this stuff if I really wanted to. To each there own, I suppose. Everyone is different, but I do feel that Cannabis has some positive (and possibly a few negative) effects on disorder known as depression.

[realgood]

I find marijuana wonderfully effective for mild depression especially when eaten and not in large doses. Definitely don't think it makes depression worse unless you get fixated on something negative and the anxiety it brings out lingers after the effects wear off. Just play around with it and pay attention to your train of thought and get some exercise for that good mindset :)

[MVP]

I friend of mine says that it help her when she uses it instead of a lot of xanex and other meds which she now only 'spot uses' to treat anxiety.

[GracefulToke]

When I smoke, it just really numbs my mind from everything that is bothering me and making me down. It doesn't make me forget it, it just helps me coast through it.
As for being more depressed on the days inbetween your smoking, its possible... but it all depends on how you react to it. If you are going to find yourself craving it on those days, therefore making your moods worse, then maybe its not good for you. It all just really depends on you.

[tim_19]

Thanx Storm Crow and guys!
real help!
Yeah, I do find myself craving it at times, but it doesnt seem to put me in a depressed mood, because im so distracted by those repeating thoughts than other, possible negative ones.

But, as it's pointed out, see how it works for me. If it doesn't do me any good I wil restrict my use of cannabis, but if it does me good, i will determine the frequency I should use to best help me.

Thanx a lot :)

:smokin:

[Nailhead]

I think it is never good to get high or drunk to forget about issues you have in your life, that never solves anything. If you have clear and obvious issues that are causing the depression in your life, don't smoke bud to simply forget about those issues because that isn't treating depression, and usually will just cause more problems, increasing your depression. My advice is to try to find the root cause of depression and focus on that, and smoke with moderation. There's nothing wrong with having a beer after a stressful day, so I also don't feel there is anything wrong with having a puff if you really feel you need it, as long as it is in moderation, in other words, not smoking yourself to sleep all day because you don't want to face life.

That's all the advice I can give, but check out Storm Crow's links, she always gives out good information.

[tim_19]

Yeah, i totally agree nailhead. But thats not the depression i have. there seems to be no root to my problem, and the thoughts I get aren't what cause it. Its simply a chemical imbalance in my brain. Thats basically what my psychiatrist has diagnosed after 2 years of treatment.

I mean, yes, I do occasionally do get thoughts that set me off, but I usually try and deal with them as you say. But most of the time, it's simply my mood slipping. Happens almost everyday, others worse than others. But i know one day things will get better.

thanx :)

:jointsmile: