Medical Marijuana and Mental health

For a long time, we know that medical marijuana has been taken for its medicinal purposes. It has a euphoric effect and people say they take it to sleep, and for anxiety, among other things.

The evidence is lacking where medical marijuana has been used to treat mental health conditions.

The relationship between Cannabis (marijuana use) and Psychiatric disorders are somewhat complex, and more research will need to take place in studying the short and long term impact of cannabis on mental health.

During initial therapy sessions, when questions are asked from the client, a significantly high number of clients are admitting to having a marijuana card. Some share that they take gummies, THC to relax or sleep. Others share the effects of THC or marijuana on their mental health. They usually use it to justify better mental health conditions.

More than half of all States including the District of Columbia have legalized adult personal use of marijuana or recreational use.

Clients report improvement in their symptoms when accessing medical marijuana. "Open discussions between psychiatrist and patient about the patient’s cannabis use can potentially be beneficial, especially if the psychiatrist is receptive to learning about the perceived benefits of using cannabis."1

Recreational users are happy to say that they use marijuana to change their mental states- not to get high.

PROS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON MENTAL HEALTH

Clients in therapy have reported that it has helped with chronic pain due to its powerful antiflammatory effects. "There is even some early research by neuroscientist Gary Wenk suggesting that marijuana could help prevent memory loss in aging by reducing inflammation in the brain." 2

Additionally, Clients have shared that it has also helped with expanding consciousness.

CONS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON MENTAL HEALTH

In recent studies, long term use of smoking marijuana can have long term impairment on memory loss with a lowering of IQ. Additionally, there is also a chance that depression can set in at some point.

With the higher potency of THC in marijuana there is a greater risk of triggers of psychosis in those that do not have a genetic predisposition risk.

There is not enough evidence to report on the long term effects on medical marijuana on mental health. It is important to note that this is not a subsitute for psychiatric medications.

"Given these related genetic and environmental vulnerabilities, additional data from prospective, longitudinal research (studies that measure participants’ health over long periods of time) are needed to determine whether, to what extent, and for whom cannabis may cause or contribute to poor mental health outcomes."3

What do you think? Should medical marijuana serve as a substitute for medications for mental health? Or an addition to medications for mental health?

Sources:

1. Psychiatrictimes.com

2. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/collaborative-care-and-psychiatry/202112/marijuanas-mental-health-pros-and-cons#Positive%20Effects

3. Is there a link between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)