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Researchers Find Inhaled Cannabis Eases Depression

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]I[/dropcap]n a single puff, cannabis can alleviate symptoms of depression, researchers from Washington State University (WSU) confirmed. In addition, 10 or more puffs of cannabis high in cannabidiol (CBD) and THC led to significant drop in self-reported stress, and two puffs of cannabis that is high in CBD and THC led to a reduction in anxiety. Researchers concluded that cannabis eases depression, stress and anxiety in a short-term timeframe.

The new study was published in the August 1 issue of Journal of Affective Disorders. Researchers found that low THC/high CBD cannabis was best for reducing perceived symptoms of depression, while cannabis high in both cannabinoids were better for stress and anxiety. Participants perceived a 50 percent reduction in depression symptoms and a 58 percent reduction in anxiety and stress symptoms after they smoked, vaped or dabbed cannabis.

The study was led by Carrie Cuttler from the Department of Psychology at WSU. “What is unique about our study,” Cuttler told Medical News Daily, “is that we looked at actual inhaled cannabis by medical marijuana patients who were using it in the comfort of their own homes as opposed to a laboratory.”

Researchers used the app Strainprint to track changes in symptoms based on cannabinoid levels. 11,953 smoke, vape or dab sessions were tracked and analyzed.

Not all of the findings were positive. Researchers did suggest that long-term use of medical cannabis may actually exacerbate depression symptoms. This determination, however, was based on symptoms after the participants stopped smoking cannabis. “. . . Cannabis may temporarily mask symptoms of negative affect but may not effectively reduce these symptoms in the long-term,” the study discussion reads.

But researchers admitted that pharmaceutical drugs may be worse. “Finally, it is worthwhile to note that there is evidence that antidepressant medications are effective in the short-term,” researchers wrote, “but that longer duration of use may actually increase vulnerability to relapse upon discontinuation.” Abruptly stopping commonly-prescribed antidepressants, however, can induce a life-threatening crisis, such as suicide, withdrawal or a chemical imbalance.

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