Cannabis’s Impact On Clinical Therapy

Cannabis advocates have long been fighting for a change in the way the government views and
uses cannabis. With recently evolving laws regarding cannabis use and the higher availability
around the country, a lot of research is focusing on the benefits of cannabis when used in
conjunction with clinical therapy. If you’re curious about whether cannabis can help you with
your mental health, take a look at the impact marijuana products can have on specific medical
conditions, as well as the side effects that come along with extended use.

The Different Types Of Cannabis

Cannabis has over 500 compounds, with around 100 of them designated as cannabinoids.
Because of this structural complexity, it can be difficult to conduct comprehensive studies on the
effects cannabis may have on mental health because each strain has different levels of each
cannabinoid. Most studies currently use synthetic cannabis because it’s easier to determine
dosage and track effects. However, synthetic cannabis doesn’t have as many variations in
cannabinoid composition as the natural strains available in dispensaries.

Some are low-THC and high-CBD hemp flower that have minimal psychoactive effects, others
have high CBG content to help people sleep, and still, others are all about the THC because it
has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The effects of cannabis on the body will
change depending on the cannabinoids in the strain, as well as personal factors, like weight, usage, dose, and general health.

The Therapeutic Potential Of Cannabis

The primary use for cannabis in various studies is reducing acute pain, followed by spasms and
tics, mental and behavioral health, and sleep problems. When it comes to mental health
specifically, cannabis is used for a variety of conditions, including OCD behavior, anxiety,
depression, cognitive function, PTSD, and general disturbed behavior. Most of the studies
conducted use synthetic cannabis for better control over dosage and effects, the most common
of which is called nabilone.

Results

While there still isn’t enough research to fully evaluate the effects of cannabis for use in clinical
therapy, some trends are emerging. Here is an overview of the pros and cons of the most recent
studies.

Benefits of Cannabis on Mental Health

Many studies that used CBD-heavy synthetic cannabis saw a decrease in agitation among
those with psychotic symptoms or degenerative diseases. Most commonly, studies observed a
reduction in hallucinations and illusions. Nabilone also resulted in less anxiety in those with
Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, as well as fewer problems falling and staying asleep.

Concerns About Cannabis in Mental Health

Even though some cannabis products can positively affect a variety of mental health conditions,
one standout trend shows the dangers of using this drug for mental health. Many studies
revealed that THC-heavy cannabis, especially, increased rates of depression.
Using CBD-driven cannabis instead had the same effect on depression as opioid-based
medications already approved by the FDA. While this may provide individuals struggling with
mental health more options, there aren’t enough high-quality studies to move forward with a
cannabis-based depression drug yet.

Studies About Cannabis

Although there are many studies about cannabis as it relates to mental health, many of them
don’t have enough participants or show corrupted data. Unfortunately, this means that many
more studies are needed before a clinically-approved drug is available to help people struggling
with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health concerns.

What You Can Do For Yourself

Since cannabis study is still ongoing, there isn’t much out there for people who want to use it to
improve their mental health. The best you can do is consult with your doctor about how to use
cannabis medicinally on your own.

Shopping Recreational & Medicinal Cannabis

For some, cannabis delivery from their local dispensary is a good option because most stores
offer a wide selection of products with different levels of the various cannabinoids. With some
experimentation and close monitoring, you may be able to find something that works for you.
You can also visit a dispensary in person to consult with people who have a little more
knowledge about the effects of each strain.
However, since using cannabis on your own affects each person differently, you should always
consult with your doctor whenever negative effects occur. Report to them whether your
symptoms improve or worsen to ensure you’re using cannabis responsibly. You may see
differences when you consume cannabis through a vaporizer or in gummy form, as well as changes that are dependent on strain, dosage, timing, or frequency of use.

Growing Your Own Cannabis At Home

If there aren’t any dispensaries near you or you prefer to more closely monitor the strains you
use, growing your own cannabis is also an option in some states. As of 2020, growing cannabis
is currently legal in Alaska, California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Massachusets,
Michigan, Vermont, and Washington D.C. You should always double-check legality, as laws
may change over time.
When growing your own cannabis, there are many best practices to follow for a successful
harvest — especially when it comes to diverse environments. In addition to creating a temperate
climate with lots of light, you should also consider the type of fertilizer you use to deliver even
more nutrients to your plant. One popular option, Reefertilizer, delivers all the essentials,
including nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.

Conclusions

There is some conclusive evidence that shows cannabis has the potential to positively affect
people who struggle with mental health concerns. While the priority in research is currently on
medical conditions like epilepsy, cancer, and MS, science is pushing further every day to see
how else cannabis can help those with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Since scientists are still exploring the pros and cons of cannabis on mental and physical health,
it’s best to proceed with caution when applying this plant medicinally. You should also keep
track of how the legal landscape continues to develop to guarantee that you’re following all state
and federal laws for growing cannabis or using it at home. Through constant research, ongoing
dialogue, and careful consumption, it’s possible to navigate the landscape of using cannabis
medicinally.

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8952215/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6905063/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.21030320