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Everyone has mental health – it’s part of what makes us human.
Every day, many of us cycle between feelings of happiness, sadness, stress, coping, anxiety, calm and more.
Mental illness, however, is different.
According to NHS England, 1 in 4 adults (and 1 in 10 children) have a diagnosable mental health issue – like depression, anxiety or PTSD.
Now, as the evidence base for medical cannabis gets bigger, doctors and patients alike want to know: can you treat mental ill-health with cannabis?
Effects of Cannabis on Mental Health
Despite medical cannabis becoming legal in the UK in 2018, and many studies suggesting the plant can help with a wide range of health issues (from anorexia to insomnia, Crohn’s to chronic pain), the issue of mental health remains disputed.
Why?
Put simply, some people praise the positive effect cannabis has on their mental well-being, yet others claim the opposite.
And, to confuse matters even more, there is research to back up both arguments (although, it should be noted that this is the whole point of science).
What’s the reality? Let’s find out.
Mental Health Benefits of Cannabis
Cannabis for Anxiety
The potential benefits of cannabis for anxiety are varied. Not just a greater sense of calm, but also improved mood, better sleep and relaxation, and peace of mind.
This is supported by anecdotal data, with more than three-quarters of survey-takers reporting positive effects of medical cannabis.
The same is true for quantitative research. One recent study found that strains high in THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) and CBD (the main non-intoxicating ingredient) both had a positive impact on anxiety symptoms.
Another, in 2020, had similar findings – albeit with more evidence to support CBD’s effect on anxiety than THC.
Cannabis for Depression
Cannabis and depression are often grouped together, mainly due to the stereotype that using cannabis can make you depressed
Yet the truth is much more nuanced.
In fact, people who have depression are twice as likely to use cannabis. Rather than prove cannabis drives symptoms of depression, it may actually suggest people are self-treating a condition they already have.
While neither science or society is certain, a 2022 systematic review was cautiously optimistic. It stated that, while further research was key, cannabis may be “a viable long-term treatment” for mental health issues like depression.
Cannabis for PTSD
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are stark.
These include recurring nightmares, intrusive memories, realistic flashbacks, hypervigilance, self-destructive behaviour, guilt, fear, anger, shame and more.
Many experts believe that, by consuming compounds like THC and CBD, it’s possible to interact with receptors in the body that shape how PTSD works, and ease some of the symptoms.
In a 2022 study, researchers concluded that targeting the endocannabinoid system in this way could prove to be a “long-awaited successful” answer for treating PTSD. Other studies found that medical cannabis was effective in suppressing intrusive memories and excess fear.
Cannabis for Stress Relief
There is some self-reported data to suggest CBD may alleviate feelings of stress. Likewise, a separate study found that low doses of THC can have the same effect.
That said, the latter paper reported that, when participants increased their dose (from 7.5 to 12.5mg), this increased feelings of stress. However, it is important to note that tolerance can also play a role in this, and increasing your dosage suddenly and unexpectedly can lead to undesirable side effects. That’s why it is important to always discuss any changes to your medical cannabis dosage with your doctor.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
As the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis become clearer, it’s vital we also outline the risks.
These include:
Dependence
Cannabis addiction is rare, and far less likely than in medicines like opioids (which come with the added risk of accidental overdose).
That said, contrary to popular belief, it is possible. It’s believed that around 9% of cannabis users develop dependence.
Though long-term use of medical cannabis is necessary for many patients, it’s important to stay mindful over usage, as dependency can negatively affect other parts of a person’s life.
Paranoia
Paranoia is often cited as a common side effect of cannabis use, and a 2015 Oxford study claimed to shed light on why.
Rather than create feelings of paranoia, cannabis was actually shown to reveal them. In other words, it triggered paranoid feelings in vulnerable participants, but less so among those who did not already have negative views.
Schizophrenia
The link between cannabis and schizophrenia is serious. As with paranoia, however, it is those who are predisposed who are the highest risk – in particular, young people.
Thankfully, under-18s are not eligible for medical cannabis prescriptions under UK law. Similarly, every patient must undergo a rigorous screening process with a specialist doctor before they can receive medication.
Mood disorders
Robust studies on cannabis and mood disorders remain in their infancy. Statistics do show higher rates of cannabis use among people with conditions like bipolar disorder, yet similar to depression – it’s unclear whether cannabis puts people at higher risk, or that people who already have these conditions are self-treating.
Summary
- For years, there have been duelling narratives that cannabis can help, or hurt, people with mental ill-health.
- There is growing evidence to suggest a positive impact on various conditions – such as anxiety, stress, PTSD and depression – with quantitative and self-reported data both showing an improvement in people’s symptoms.
- That said, it’s important to weigh benefits against potential dangers. While very rare, it’s possible to develop cannabis dependence, experience paranoia and, if you are already at risk, develop conditions such as bipolar or schizophrenia.
For more information, or to find out if medical cannabis may be the right treatment for you, get in touch with Alternaleaf today.