Cannabis usage for the treatment of depression and social anxiety?

Hi GC, before now I have always been aware of the medical properties of cannabis but before now i never used it for that reason i.e fun, except for one time when i had sever muscle tearing in my leg but anyways. For about 4 years I've suffered from(diagnosed)clinical depression and social anxiety since it went unnoticed for the first 2 years, and i lived my life(well not really "lived") then my mother told me that she ha began to notice that some symptoms were beginning to show more clearly(my family has a large history of depression) and she thought i was sick because

A.I didnt socialize anywhere besides structured school events, or work(for the most part, sometimes i'd lug myself to the mall with friends to buy pot, this was in high school) I had many friends always calling me up to do things but i just couldnt most of the time my anxiety would just attack if i thought of doing anything social so i just stopped trying

B.I was sleeping at the least, 12 hours a day and could sleep on command whenever I wanted(i had almost NO energy though my diet was good and i got an average amount of exersise when possible

But there was always one thing, marijuana, when i was high i was usually aware of myself, and the bad image i saw of myself dissapeared and when i thought of other people critisizing me for the various reasons my head was telling me i just thought to myself,"Fuck them."

Now for 2 years i've been just trying to find the "right" pill to help treat my anxiety and depression, I've tried Prozac with no success but rather i digressed and am now on Zoloft, people around me say they notice change but for me? i dont, if i miss one dose it takes me days to recover mentally and physically and after thinking about it, it just isnt worth the pain to get little to no results. I also take a small dose of Hydroxyzine which is an antihistimine and is supposed to help me stay calm but all it does is make me tired and like a zombie and honestly i see it as an extra thing my psychiatrist prescribed me for some extra cash flow. I have also met with a psychologist with small results.

So now GC i come here to ask you what your stance on the idea of Cannabis Treating Depression, now common sense would say yes, of course it does what kind of question is that? But then i see so many conflicting answers all across the internet saying, no it's a bad idea and could be dangerous and even worsen the depression/anxiety. But is this really true? Have you had a personal experience in the dangerous aspects of cannabis and depression?or were you results good? thanks GC i hope to hear from you soon.

Edited by CallMeJelly, 04 July 2012 - 07:59 AM.

I suffer from both anxiety and depression. It also ran in my family so I was the lucky duckling that got the chemical imbalance or whatever it might be but any way I was on MMJ for 4 years in CA and I will say this. It helped a lot more then it didn't help. It gave me that fuck what other people are thinking kind of attitude and helped me be myself. I still blaze but only once ever few weeks now since I did not renew my card. Before it was daily and the only negative side is if I smoked too much of a extremely potent strain then I would get more anxiety then I had in the first place but that usually passes pretty quickly. All in all I would rate it a 7-8 out of 10 for helping cure anxiety/depression. (also a quick note when I would smoke too much and get extra anxiety I usually switched over to the heavy indicas like purps and that would make all the difference). So.... Go for it!

you need strains that are higher in CBD than usual.

Cannabis seriously helps anxiety and depression.

you need strains that are higher in CBD than usual.

Cannabis seriously helps anxiety and depression.

I don't think that's correct - CBD is used more for pain, whereas THC is the psychoactive component.

I have a similar story like call me jelly I've been depressed for few years meds not helping, I don't suffer from d social anxiety anymore but that is a real terror and I think more of d energetic weed strain like mainly sativa more than indica wud help me but all I can get is brown and my GF keeps fucking taking it & hiding it I've over an ounce in d house & can't smoke 1 joint ! she wants to break up if I go back smoking used to smoke an ounce of good weed a week...Oh ya bout d CBDdebate I think I read somewhere that is right higher in CBD and lower THC is better treatment for depression?? But I would need to do some more research on this... What strains are higher in CBD anyone know & if I could pick one to grow or smoke 4 depression it would be sour diesel but can't get my hands on it

Edited by Grass Is Good, 04 July 2012 - 02:06 PM.

Cannabis can help or hurt depending on dosage and cannabinoid profile of the variety ingesting. Vaping one hit of sativaish strains can do more for me feeling happy and motivated then higher doses and/or indica ever could. With low doses my legs are still on the ground but my brain gently smooths out like butter. The point where im not quite like", im high" But im not like "life sucks" either. Its a medium where i feel normal. But with big bags and buds lieing around its easy to overdose and worsen your issues. Literally it can be one hit over the line. I do it all the time. Im just like fuck it. I over indulge and drown out the noises in my head. Then the silence breaks and the noises start creeping back in and its overwhelming so i reach gain to silence them. Instead of just turning down the volume enough to work out the negative bullshit. I think its more valuable to help you than a cure all. I have never experienced a cure with this.

I take celexa for anxiety, depression and ptsd and it works great..without it I'm very on edge and snap at everyone as well as worry about every little thing..lexapro also worked pretty well..I've smoked hundreds of strains and nothing helps me like pills..of coarse every person is different but ask our doctor about it

What is PTSD ? I've been on lexapro put on a lot of weight with that 1 currently on cymbalta but doin nothing, yeah were all different. What do ye think about this;
Goin out with fiancé now 10'years 1 child and she wants me out if I am goin to smoke hash! Fucking stupid or what?
What do ye all think

What is PTSD ? I've been on lexapro put on a lot of weight with that 1 currently on cymbalta but doin nothing, yeah were all different. What do ye think about this;
Goin out with fiancé now 10'years 1 child and she wants me out if I am goin to smoke hash! Fucking stupid or what?
What do ye all think

post traumatic stress disorder..had major health problems and almost died a few times..your fiance wants you out for smoking? my ex didnt smoke but was cool with it so ive been lucky not to have to deal with that..maybe just convince her that she has her "hobbies" and you have yours

I take celexa for anxiety, depression and ptsd and it works great..without it I'm very on edge and snap at everyone as well as worry about every little thing..lexapro also worked pretty well..I've smoked hundreds of strains and nothing helps me like pills..of coarse every person is different but ask our doctor about it

I take lexapro and it has worked great. I use the herb moderately for back and neck pain from a bike accident and it works pretty well if I eat a potent edible.

I really think it depends on the person and the circumstances.

I don't think that's correct - CBD is used more for pain, whereas THC is the psychoactive component.

But CBD relaxes the muscles, doesn't it? Muscle relaxation helps a lot with anxiety.
-----
Smoke indicas, OP. I use cannabis for my social anxiety as well and it can help with depression too. It's best if you use your high to think and reflect instead of simply zoning out and watching tv).

Exercise also works extremely well when it comes to depression, on par with meds.

Start taking Omega 3!


Nutritional omega-3 deficiency abolishes endocannabinoid-mediated neuronal functions.
(abst – 2011) http://www.nature.co...ll/nn.2736.html


That little study is important enough that I have made a translation of it!

[FONT="]“The US diet sucks big time and we are fat, undernourished, and crazy because of it. We get WAY too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3. Not getting enough Omega 3 can make you crazy because without it, the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in your brain aren’t made right- a chunk that is supposed to be attached, isn’t! Broken receptors give you “impaired emotional behavior”. So we think it’s the low Omega 3 diet that’s making the US totally nuts!” [/FONT]


Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders. (abst – 2011)
Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in m... [Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI

High omega-6 and low omega-3 fatty acids are associated with depressive symptoms and neuroticism. High omega-6 and low omega-3 fatty acids are a... [Psychosom Med. 2007] - PubMed - NCBI


How Long Before Fish Oil Works on Depression to Lift Your Mood? How Long Before Fish Oil Works on Depression to Lift Your Mood?


Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Mood Disorders PsychiatryOnline | American Journal of Psychiatry | Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Mood Disorders

And studies indicate that cannabis is helpful in depression.

Antidepressant-like effect of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa L. (full – 2010) Antidepressant-like effect of


Marijuana chemical may treat depression (news - 2007)
Study: Marijuana chemical may treat depression

Cannabis: Potent Anti-Depressant In Low Doses, Worsens Depression At High Doses (news - 2007) Cannabis: Potent Anti-depressant In Low Doses, Worsens Depression At High Doses

Synthetic form of THC is an effective anti-depressant at low doses (news - 2007)
Synthetic form of THC is an effective anti-depressant at low doses


Decreased depression in marijuana users. (full - 2006)
http://www.doctordel...InMjUsers05.pdf

Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant (news - 2005)
'Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant: The Hempire - [cannabis, hemp]

Cannabis And Depression Research (news - 2005)
Cannabis And Depression Research: The Hempire - [cannabis, uk]

High-dose cannabis stimulates growth of brain cells in rats (news – 2005)
http://www.independe...ats-510869.html

Good News For The Medical Marijuana Movement: Pot Proliferates Brain Cells And Boosts Mood (news - 2005) Good News For The Medical Marijuana Movement: Pot Proliferates Brain Cells And Boosts Mood


And CBD has been used as an antipsychotic and is useful in anxiety-

Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug (full - 2006)
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research - Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug

Anxiolytic-like effect of cannabidiol in the rat Vogel conflict test. (abst – 2006)
Anxiolytic-like ef... [Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2006] - PubMed - NCBI

Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. (abst - 2010) Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cann... [J Psychopharmacol. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI

Cannabinoids and anxiety. (abst – 2010) Cannabinoids and anxiety. [Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI


Hope that helps! (and if you want more, click that first link in my sig, or better, send me an email- bottom of my sig- and I will send you a PDF with over 670 pages of links to studies and articles on cannabis and just about every ailment in the book!



Granny

Edited by Storm Crow, 04 July 2012 - 05:55 PM.

I don't think that's correct - CBD is used more for pain, whereas THC is the psychoactive component.

No, CBD is great for anxiety and helps in treating schizo

Yup I take flaxseed oil gell pills for my omegas and vitamin c and e gells..also folic acid can give you energy

Same boat here, OP. Cannabis has completely changed my life.


Definitely stick to Indicas, or Indica-dominant hybrids. I live in a non-medical state so I just have to get lucky. The times I've gotten heavy sativas, it's thrown me into a panic attack. Not fun.

A nice relaxing indica can seriously have an incredible impact on your ability to socialize with confidence.

And don't listen to the "Indica will give you couch lock brrrroooo" people. If you exercise sometimes and eat somewhat healthy and take vitamins/fish oil, you can avoid couch lock and slip into a perfect state of relaxation and well-being.

No, CBD is great for anxiety and helps in treating schizo

You are correct sir for the most part and my original response to you didn't make much sense. However, several studies for combined THC/CBD or low doses of THC have also indicated effectiveness also. Of the cannabinoids, it looks like CBC is the heavy hitter, coming in at about an order of magnitude more effective by weight than CBD for anxiety. Bottom line is what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for everyone, but if it works for you - great. I think someday a good chunk of a pharmacy will be like a paint color machine, except instead of mixing colors it will mix specific blends of cannabinoids and other helpful additives.

CBD is for Anxiety. THC can trigger Anxiety and Panic attacks. So people with Anxiety should stay away from Sativa strains.

THC is only good for people who suffer from Bi-polar disease.

But for Anxiety, CBD is the one for you. So go for a pure indica strain. And yes, it does help with anxiety.

Makes you fucking sleep like a baby. Try the indica tinctures for night use if you don't want to smoke.

You're giving a great example of combined THC:CBD. It's not CBD that makes a person tired, that's the CBN, which is a breakdown product of THC. The high CBD strains on the market now (Sour Tsunami, Cannatonic, Harlequin) are not pure indicas at all, in fact they're sativa dominant.

Difference between Cannabis indica and sativa

A Cannabis sativa plant may have a CBD/THC ratio 4:-5 times that of Cannabis Indica. Marijuana with relatively high ratios of CBD:THC is less likely to induce anxiety than vice versa. This might partially be due to CBD's antagonist effects at the cannabinoid receptor, compared to THC's partial agonist effect.[34] The relatively large amount of CBD contained in Cannabis Sativa, means, compared to an Indica, the effects are modulated significantly. The effects of Sativa are well known for its cerebral high, hence used daytime as medical cannabis, while Indica are well known for its sedative effects and preferred night time as medical cannabis.


Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol or (THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for many of the effects experienced by the cannabis user.
•Mild to moderate pain relief, relaxation, insomnia and appetite stimulation.
•THC has been demonstrated to have anti-depressant effects.
•The majority of strains range from 12-21% THC with very potent and carefully prepared strains reaching even higher.
•Average THC potency is about 16-17% in Northern CA.
•Recent research that suggests patients with a pre-disposition to schizophrenia and anxiety disorders should avoid high-THC cannabis.

Cannabidiol or (CBD) occurs in many strains, at low levels, <1%. In rare cases, CBD can be the dominant cannabinoid, as high as 15% by weight. Popular CBD-rich strains (>4% CBD) include Sour Tsunami, Harlequin and Cannatonic.
•It can provide relief for chronic pain due to muscle spasticity, convulsions and
inflammation. Offering relief for patients with MS, Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy.
•Some researchers feel it provides effective relief from anxiety-related disorders.
•CBD has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth when injected into breast and brain tumors in combination with THC.

Cannabinol or (CBN) is an oxidative degradation product of THC. It may result from improper storage or curing and extensive processing, such as when making concentrates. It is usually formed when THC is exposed to UV light and oxygen over time.
•CBN has some psychoactive properties, about 10% of the strength of THC.
•CBN is thought by researchers to enhance the dizziness and disorientation users of cannabis may experience.
•It may cause feelings of grogginess and has been shown to reduce heart rate.

Cannabichromene or (CBC) is a rare, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, usually found at low levels (<1%) when present.
•Research conducted has shown CBC has anti-depressant effects, 10x those of CBD.
•CBC has also been shown to improve the pain-relieving effects of THC.
•Studies have demonstrated that CBC has sedative effects, promoting relaxation.

Cannabigerol or (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It is commonly found in cannabis. CBG-acid is the precursor to both THC-acid and CBD-acid in the plant usually found at low levels (<1%) when present.
•Researchers have demonstrated both pain relieving and inflammation reducing effects.
•CBG reduces intraocular pressure, associated with glaucoma.
•CBG has been shown to have antibiotic properties and to inhibit platelet aggregation, which slows the rate of blood clotting.

Loved reading this thread.

It's nice to actually have visual confirmation that I'm not alone when the mere thought of leaving the house sends me spiraling into a panic.

I'm also in a non-mmj state so I have to get INCREDIBLY lucky to find anything that helps. I had always been confused on the indica/sativa arguments as to which one was better for my conditions and to be quite honest I was leaning toward Sativa more than Indica. I guess now I understand how it's determined. Thanks everyone.

Loved reading this thread.

It's nice to actually have visual confirmation that I'm not alone when the mere thought of leaving the house sends me spiraling into a panic.

I'm also in a non-mmj state so I have to get INCREDIBLY lucky to find anything that helps. I had always been confused on the indica/sativa arguments as to which one was better for my conditions and to be quite honest I was leaning toward Sativa more than Indica. I guess now I understand how it's determined. Thanks everyone.

Check back in once in awhile - I'm sure this will get very interesting in the future as we get more posts and opinions from people and see more pure cbd products on the market. I'm excited about that for several reasons, one of them is that those with anxiety attacks can try the CBD first to see if it works, without the potential to set off an even worse attack. If that doesn't work, they they can try something with low THC in it and increase as necessary from there.

I am currently using mmj to help combat the side effects of valium withdrawal without mmj I would be on all sorts of anti depressents and benzodiazapines(spell check).

The withdrawal from valium is nasty it takes a long time I have went from 40mg per day to 5mg per day and this time in April 2013 I will be totally clean of this nasty drug.

The thing that bothered me was how judgemental people are when you tell them you use cannabis for medicanal purposes like I am a bad person just looking for an excuse to get high but yet it would be perfectly ok for me to take nasty pharma drugs or to drink alcohol to combat the withdrawals of valium but now I have just accepted that those who know the benefits of cannabis will understand and those who dont will never understand so I have stopped trying to explain myself the simple fact of the matter is I know its working and yes it has some negative side effects but nothing in comparison to the alternatives.

Cannabis also opened up my eyes to how much of an asshole I had been most of my life, basically it saved my life with out going into massive detail.

understand your mind, understand cannabis and you are good to go!

Edited by nomoredoubts, 05 July 2012 - 03:19 PM.