As any person uses marijuana, the body reacts to the substances they ingest by discharging neurotransmitters that put an impact on both body and brain.

The progress of treating depression with weed or medical marijuana is still in its primary stages. However, at the moment, there are numerous treatments that you can find, for example, oral medications and various therapies.

The researchers are starting to explore medical cannabis as a supplementary treatment. Below we have highlighted a few constituents of marijuana. So let us discuss them first.

Key Elements of Cannabis

1. Cannabidiol (CBD)

This is the non-psychoactive element of the plant contributing to its pharmacological actions without getting engaged in the high. This element of cannabis has been researched deeply for the treatment of depression.

2. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the drug’s psychoactive element, giving the sensation of being high. This is the element that makes marijuana tempting for recreational purposes.

As per the current studies on medicinal cannabis, through CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, CBD and THC affect the brand resulting in alleviated anxiety signs. This is vital as extreme tension and anxiety usually happen with depression. It can even affect it to make the signs of depression worse.

Medical Marijuana and Depression

Does weed help with depression? A research at the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions has discovered that chemicals in the brain are called endocannabinoids. These substances are associated with the sensation of overall health and trigger the same receptors as many other chemicals in weed.

When doing tests on rats, the researchers discovered that the fabrication of the brain chemicals was lower in situations of extreme stress compared to normal conditions.

They determined that the compounds in marijuana might be an effective therapy in restoring normal endocannabinoid utility and reducing depression signs.

Neurotransmitters Impacting Mood Disorders

1. Dopamine

Dopamine affects motivation and plays a vital part in how actuality is perceived. It is the reward system of your brain.

2. Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine improves memory power and learning remembrance.

3. Glutamate

This excitatory neurotransmitter plays an essential part in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

4. Norepinephrine

This neurotransmitter narrows blood vessels and can increase blood pressure. It can even activate stress and a few kinds of depression.

5. Gamma minobutyric acid

This is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that can help in reducing stress.

6. Serotonin

Serotonin controls hunger, mood, and sleep and hinders soreness.

Legalization of the Drug

In nearly 37 states of the US, it is legal to use marijuana for medicinal usage. These include Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, and Virginia. A vast majority of the states are utilizing this drug for curing many chronic conditions, counting depression, too.

What to Take Into Account?

In case you are undergoing stress and tension with depression, you must keep in mind that overdosage of THC usually raises paranoia, panic, and stress. Also, there are not many qualitative studies proving that depression can be controlled long-term with medicinal cannabis. Therefore, we are not aware of the long-standing and temporary side effects.  

Cannabis or weed usage may be considered part of, but can’t substitute, a customized mental health therapy program between the patient and doctor. Nevertheless, it might even probably lead to the worst situations. Always take into account that depression is a serious illness that must be treated by a specialized doctor.