- Depression
Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects about 6.7% of adults and 3.3% of 13 to 18 year olds in the U.S. Studies have shown cannabis has antidepressant and antipsychotic effects.
OVERVIEW OF DEPRESSIONDepression is a mood disorder that causes emotional problems and a persistent feeling of sadness and disinterest. Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain and are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors.
There are several forms of depression. Major depression is associated with severe symptoms that affect the ability to function in daily life. While major depression could occur only one time in one’s life, typically people diagnosed with depression experience multiple episodes throughout their lifetime. Persistent depressive disorder is when the depressed mood lasts for at least two years. Symptoms may fluctuate between being major or less severe, but they last for at least two years. Bipolar disorder, which is also called manic-depressive illness, causes a cycling of mood changes from extreme highs to extreme lows.
Some forms of depression can develop following certain experiences. Psychotic depression occurs when someone has severe depression and some form of psychosis. Postpartum depression develops in new mothers; the hormonal and physical changes they experience and the feeling of being overwhelmed causes depression. Seasonal affective disorder develops during the winter months when a person is exposed to less natural sunlight.
Depression causes feelings of sadness or hopelessness, angry outbursts, loss of interest or pleasure, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, anxiety, changes in appetite, and feelings of worthlessness.
Depression can be effectively treated with medications and psychological counseling. For some who experience severe depression, a hospital stay or day treatment programs are needed.
FINDINGS: EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON DEPRESSIONResearch has found that the endocannabinoid system is associated with the management of mood. A dysfunction in the system, which causes a reduction in cannabinoid concentrations, has been found to cause mood disorders and depression (Hill & Gorzalka, 2009) (Gorzalka & Hill, 2011) (Smaga, et al., 2014). This dysfunction is likely caused by chronic stress, as one study found that an exposure to stress significantly reduced endocannabinoid concentrations in women diagnosed with major depression (Hill, et al., 2009). These findings suggest that cannabinoids, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which are found in cannabis and influence the endocannabinoid system, could assist in the regulation of the endocannabinoid system and therefore offer therapeutic potential (Hill, et al., 2009) (Smaga, et al., 2014). Cannabinoids have been shown to promote new cell growth in the hippocampus, suggesting they could produce anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects (Jiang, et al., 2005).
An animal trial found that the administration of cannabinoids was able to restore normal endocannabinoid function, which in turn stabilized mood and eased depression (Haj-Dahmane & Shen, 2014).
Cannabis could also assist in managing the health risks associated with depression. Depression has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a higher resting systolic blood pressure. However, one study found that the administering of cannabinoids in women diagnosed with depression was effective at regulating their high blood pressure (Ho, et al., 2012).
It’s important to note that marijuana use has previously been associated with a greater risk of depressive symptoms (Bricker, et al., 2007). However, a survey found that adults that regularly use marijuana are not at a greater risk of depression than non-using adults (Denson & Earleywine, 2006). In addition, a 2012 study found that suicide rates decreased by an overall of 5% in states with medical marijuana approximately after legislation was adopted. Changes in marijuana laws caused an 11 percent decrease in the suicide rate of 20 through 29-year-old males and a 9% decrease in the suicide rate of 30 to 39-year-old males, with a sharp decrease shown in 15 to 19-year old males (Anderson, Rees & Sabia, 2012).
STATES THAT HAVE APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR DEPRESSIONNo states have approved medical marijuana specifically for the treatment of depression. However, in Washington D.C., any condition can be approved for medical marijuana as long as a DC-licensed physician recommends the treatment. In addition, a number of other states will consider allowing medical marijuana to be used for the treatment of depression with the recommendation from a physician. These states include: California (any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been recommended by a physician), Connecticut (other medical conditions may be approved by the Department of Consumer Protection), Massachusetts (other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician), Nevada (other conditions subject to approval), Oregon (other conditions subject to approval), Rhode Island (other conditions subject to approval), and Washington (any “terminal or debilitating condition”).
RECENT STUDIES ON CANNABIS’ EFFECT ON DEPRESSION
OVERVIEW OF DEPRESSIONDepression is a mood disorder that causes emotional problems and a persistent feeling of sadness and disinterest. Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain and are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors.
There are several forms of depression. Major depression is associated with severe symptoms that affect the ability to function in daily life. While major depression could occur only one time in one’s life, typically people diagnosed with depression experience multiple episodes throughout their lifetime. Persistent depressive disorder is when the depressed mood lasts for at least two years. Symptoms may fluctuate between being major or less severe, but they last for at least two years. Bipolar disorder, which is also called manic-depressive illness, causes a cycling of mood changes from extreme highs to extreme lows.
Some forms of depression can develop following certain experiences. Psychotic depression occurs when someone has severe depression and some form of psychosis. Postpartum depression develops in new mothers; the hormonal and physical changes they experience and the feeling of being overwhelmed causes depression. Seasonal affective disorder develops during the winter months when a person is exposed to less natural sunlight.
Depression causes feelings of sadness or hopelessness, angry outbursts, loss of interest or pleasure, sleep disturbances, lack of energy, anxiety, changes in appetite, and feelings of worthlessness.
Depression can be effectively treated with medications and psychological counseling. For some who experience severe depression, a hospital stay or day treatment programs are needed.
FINDINGS: EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON DEPRESSIONResearch has found that the endocannabinoid system is associated with the management of mood. A dysfunction in the system, which causes a reduction in cannabinoid concentrations, has been found to cause mood disorders and depression (Hill & Gorzalka, 2009) (Gorzalka & Hill, 2011) (Smaga, et al., 2014). This dysfunction is likely caused by chronic stress, as one study found that an exposure to stress significantly reduced endocannabinoid concentrations in women diagnosed with major depression (Hill, et al., 2009). These findings suggest that cannabinoids, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which are found in cannabis and influence the endocannabinoid system, could assist in the regulation of the endocannabinoid system and therefore offer therapeutic potential (Hill, et al., 2009) (Smaga, et al., 2014). Cannabinoids have been shown to promote new cell growth in the hippocampus, suggesting they could produce anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects (Jiang, et al., 2005).
An animal trial found that the administration of cannabinoids was able to restore normal endocannabinoid function, which in turn stabilized mood and eased depression (Haj-Dahmane & Shen, 2014).
Cannabis could also assist in managing the health risks associated with depression. Depression has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a higher resting systolic blood pressure. However, one study found that the administering of cannabinoids in women diagnosed with depression was effective at regulating their high blood pressure (Ho, et al., 2012).
It’s important to note that marijuana use has previously been associated with a greater risk of depressive symptoms (Bricker, et al., 2007). However, a survey found that adults that regularly use marijuana are not at a greater risk of depression than non-using adults (Denson & Earleywine, 2006). In addition, a 2012 study found that suicide rates decreased by an overall of 5% in states with medical marijuana approximately after legislation was adopted. Changes in marijuana laws caused an 11 percent decrease in the suicide rate of 20 through 29-year-old males and a 9% decrease in the suicide rate of 30 to 39-year-old males, with a sharp decrease shown in 15 to 19-year old males (Anderson, Rees & Sabia, 2012).
STATES THAT HAVE APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR DEPRESSIONNo states have approved medical marijuana specifically for the treatment of depression. However, in Washington D.C., any condition can be approved for medical marijuana as long as a DC-licensed physician recommends the treatment. In addition, a number of other states will consider allowing medical marijuana to be used for the treatment of depression with the recommendation from a physician. These states include: California (any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been recommended by a physician), Connecticut (other medical conditions may be approved by the Department of Consumer Protection), Massachusetts (other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician), Nevada (other conditions subject to approval), Oregon (other conditions subject to approval), Rhode Island (other conditions subject to approval), and Washington (any “terminal or debilitating condition”).
RECENT STUDIES ON CANNABIS’ EFFECT ON DEPRESSION
- Suicide rates of males sharply decreased following the legalization of medical marijuana.
High on Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide
(https://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/research_brief_17.pdf)
- Anderson, D.M., Rees, D.I., and Sabia, J.J. (2012, January 7). High on Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide. Cato Institute, 17. Retrieved from http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/research_brief_17.pdf.
- Ashton, C.H., and Moore, P.B. (2011, October). Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 124(4), 250-61. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01687.x/full.
- Bricker, J.B., Russo, J., Stein, M.B., Sherbourne, C., Craske, M., Schraufnagel, T.J., and Roy-Byrne, P. (2007). Does occasional cannabis use impact anxiety and depression treatment outcomes?: Results from a randomized effectiveness trial. Depression and Anxiety, 24(6), 392-8. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.20248/pdf.
- Denson, T.F., and Earleywine, M. (2006, April). Decreased depression in marijuana users. Addictive Behaviors, 31(4), 738-742. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460305001577.
- Depression (major depressive disorder). (2015, July 22). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977.
- Gorzalka, B.B., and Hill, M.N. (2011, August 15). Putative role of endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology of depression and actions of antidepressants. Progress in Neuro-Pschopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 35(7), 1575-85. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584610004380.
- Haj-Dahmane, S., and Shen, R.Y. (2014, October 29). Chronic stress impaires α1-adrenoceptor-induced endocannabinoid-dependent synaptic plasticity in the dorsal raphe nucleus. The Journal of Neuroscience, 34(44), 14560-14570. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212061/.
- Hill, M.N., and Gorzalka, B.B. (2009, December). The endocannabinoid system and the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets, 8(6), 451-8. Retrieved from http://www.eurekaselect.com/93571/article.
- Hill, M.N., Hillard, C.J., Bambico, F.R., Patel., S, Gorzalka, B.B., and Gobbi, G. (2009, September). The therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system for the development of a novel class of antidepressants. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 30(9), 484-93. Retrieved from http://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/abstract/S0165-6147(09)00121-7?_returnURL=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0165614709001217%3Fshowall%3Dtrue.
- Hill, M. N., Miller, G. E., Carrier, E. J., Gorzalka, B. B., & Hillard, C. J. (2009). Circulating Endocannabinoids and N-Acyl Ethanolamines Are Differentially Regulated in Major Depression and Following Exposure to Social Stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(8), 1257–1262. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716432/.
- Ho, W. V., Hill, M. N., Miller, G. E., Gorzalka, B. B., & Hillard, C. J. (2012). Serum contents of endocannabinoids are correlated with blood pressure in depressed women. Lipids in Health and Disease, 11, 32. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3334711/.
- Jiang, W., Zhang, Y., Xiao, L., Van Cleemput, J., Ji, S.P., Bai, G., and Zhang, X. (2005, November). Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 115(11), 3104-3116. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1253627/.
- Smaga, I., Bystrowska, B., Gawliński, D., Pomierny, B., Stankowicz, P., & Filip, M. (2014). Antidepressants and Changes in Concentration of Endocannabinoids and N-Acylethanolamines in Rat Brain Structures. Neurotoxicity Research, 26(2), 190–206. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4067538/.
- What Is Depression? (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.