Marijuana Use and Depression A Complex Relationship

Marijuana Use and Depression A Complex Relationship Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Print Using Marijuana to Treat Depression By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on February 07, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on February 07, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Getty Images Europe With states across the nation passing laws allowing for the medical use of marijuana, much debate has ensued over which conditions should qualify patients for approved use. Depression is one such condition that has been discussed, and the research is mixed.  Depression and marijuana use often exist side-by-side in patients, but teasing apart their relationship to one another is a chicken-and-egg problem researcher have yet to solve. Can Marijuana Help Treat Depression? A February 2015 study by researchers at the University of Buffalos Research Institute on Addictions found that chemical compounds in the brain known as endocannabinoids, which are linked to feelings of overall well-being, activate the same receptors as many of the active compounds in marijuana.?? In testing on rats, the researchers found that the production of endocannabinoids was lower in states of chronic stress than under normal conditions. They concluded that the chemicals in cannabis may be a useful treatment in restoring normal endocannabinoid function and alleviating symptoms of depression. Drawbacks of Treating Depression With Marijuana Although there is some evidence that marijuana may have antidepressant properties, many argue there are also some important drawbacks to its usage. There is a well-known phenomenon called amotivational syndrome,  in which chronic cannabis users become apathetic, socially withdrawn, and perform at a level of everyday functioning well below their capacity prior to their marijuana use.?? There are also other studies that indicate that marijuana is associated with an increased risk for depression. Depression and Marijuana Use May Have Same Root Cause Most health care researchers and practitioners accept the theory that genetic, environmental, or other factors are the root cause of depression. Some believe that these same causes can lead to marijuana use. Participants in a 1997 pilot study  reported that one of the reasons they continued to smoke marijuana was that they felt it relieved their symptoms of depression and anxiety.?? Some research indicates that marijuana users (especially regular or heavy users) are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who dont use the drug. But research has failed to conclude that there is a causation relationship at play: it is not clear that depression directly results from marijuana use. In some patients with a predisposition to other mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, marijuana use may serve as a trigger for the diseases expression.  There also is some evidence that teenagers who attempt suicide may be more likely to have used marijuana than those who have not made an attempt. As with marijuana use and depression, more research is needed to better understand these associations.  As states continue to pass medical marijuana laws  and refine the criteria for eligibility, more research will likely go further toward exploring the relationship between depression and marijuana use. The 7 Best Online Help Resources for Depression