marijuana as an antidepressant?

[sarocket13]

So I posted a topic earlier about how I am going through withdrawal of an antidepressant right now, and I was wondering what you guys think of marijuana as an actual antidepressant? Now I would like to go all natural and stay away from pills if I can, but can medical marijuana actually be used as an antidepressant? and im not just talking about a temporary high or buzz, but actual long term and consistent benefits as an antidepressant? Also, is depression a legitimate reason for medical marijuana when you see the doctor?

[illnillinois]

Mood Disorders

Total 660 = 26.6%

post-traumatic stress disorder 274

depression 162

anxiety disorder 73

dysthymic disorder 46

bipolar disorder 34

schizophrenia 26

attention deficit disorder 15

obsessive compulsive disorder 8

panic disorder 5

other psychiatric 17

Check this thread see things people are using it for
http://boards.cannabis.com/medicinal-cannabis-health/157501-marijuana-anger.html

[TurnyBright]

Your doctor will probably tell you that marijuana is more likely to augment depression than relieve it. However, if you try it for yourself and it makes you feel better, it could pan out.

[GreenDestiny]

The endocannabinoid system somehow plays a part in helping the body with different kinds of stress related issues, one of them being depression.

I haven't had a chance to read all of the text, but what it sounds like is that a dysfunction in the EC system has been linked to people suffering from depression.

In other words, when the body fails to produce the chemicals it needs to operate efficiently, you need to get them from an outside source.

Here's some articles for you to check out:

Endocannabinoid System Can Be Targeted For New Pharmaceuticals To Treat Depression (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87859.php)

A possible role for the endocannabinoid system in the neurobiology of depression (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2169225)

Role of endocannabinoid system in mental diseases (http://fpgrahamco.com/pdfs/6_1_Manzanares.pdf)


For myself I've found that mostly indica strains are best to make me happy, as the dominant sativas can make me feel happier too they can also get my mind racing and overthinking ANY of the things that are already on my mind which can be negative.

[Storm Crow]

Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant
'Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant: The Hempire - [cannabis, britain] (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)

Cannabinoids elicit antidepressant-like behavior and activate serotonergic neurons
Cannabinoids elicit antidepressant-like behavior and activate serotonergic neurons through the medial prefrontal cortex. (http://marijuana.researchtoday.net/archive/4/10/1460.htm)

Marijuana chemical may treat depression
Marijuana chemical may treat depression (http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/news-193323-66.html)

Therapeutic Aspects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids ROBSON: Br J Psychiatry, Volume 178().February 2001.107-115 (http://www.ukcia.org/research/Thereputic/Therapeut.htm)

Treating depression with cannabinoids
Internationale Arbeitsgemeinschaft Cannabis als Medizin (http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/nav/home-jcant.htm)


My hubby is on SSI for chronic depression. His rec is for depression and physical pain. He has gotten bad reactions to the "chemical wonders" that the doctors have given him. Some "zombied" him, some he was way "off the wall"....

Now, when he's in a dark mood, I stick a pipe in his mouth, he smokes, I refill it until he's stoned. Then his mind wanders...right out of the depression. He'll start petting the cat or watering the garden and although he's not skipping around and singing, he's out of the "dark hole", sort of in "neutral" emotionally.

Been doing that for the last 40 years. Still works.

-Granny :hippy:

[Rotary13B]

I have found that marijuana helps out alot with my depression. Most of the pills my shrink gave me turned me into a zombie, and I really hated feeling that way, so a friend reccomended that I give marijuana a try.

Much the same as Storm Crow's husband, whenever I start to feel to myself falling into a very dark mood, I usually smoke a j, and I "wander" out of it. I've also found that things that used to stress me out don't as much anymore. I also tend to be happier and more content throughout the day.

However, I do know a few people which mj has actually worsened their depression, so its definately dependent on the person.

Best of luck to you.

[birdgirl73]

Cannabis worked like a charm to improve my sister's mood when she was undergoing chemotherapy. It really did. There are lots of mainstream physicians who'll try and tell people otherwise, and I'm convinced that plenty of people who're past the point of self help sometimes try and use cannabis and that those are the circumstances under which it can exacerbate depression--when the depression itself is already beyond help and bound to get worse.

I watched cannabis work like a charm for my sister under the most depressing of circumstances--a terminal illness. She wasn't a good candidate for a prescription antidepressant because she was using prescription painkillers, which are themselves a depressant. Cannabis did wonders for her, easing her depression, relieving her nausea, and boosting her appetite. I still resent the heck out of the fact that in order to get that relief she had to break the law.

[GreenDestiny]

yeah it depresses me to have to be breaking the law to enjoy my favourite medicine. Those extra feelings of stress, depression and paranoia would go away if it were to be decriminalized.... THEN the medicine would be working to it's full potential

[the image reaper]

marijuana keeps the .357 out of my mouth ... so far, anyway

[GreenDestiny]

marijuana keeps the .357 out of my mouth ... so far, anyway

I believe it's saved me too. I can honestly say I would have killed myself years ago.

But after smoking it, I saw a new beauty in the world that I'd never seen before.

I never want to let it go.

And I will die for it. My universal right to be happy with it. Til the end.

It completes me.