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Marijuana Cannabis and Depression Research
Depression is actually a variety of disorders that affect approximately 18
million
Americans. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from some form of
depression.
Acuity, or seriousness, of depressive disorders ranges from mild to
severe.
Depression can be episodic, short lived or chronic. Depression is the
leading cause of
disability in America today costing the nation in excess of $47
billion dollars a year in
lost productivity and health costs. Depression is a
serious medical illness that can
have numerous physical complications.
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Depression may manifest as major depression, dysthymic disorder (a less severe
form of major depression), or bipolar disorder (a type of depression that
involves cycling between depressive and manic states). A host of factors are
responsible for depression including:
· Biological- a chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters and/or certain types of
brain cell receptor sites is often seen in depression. Hormonal disorders
including PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and PMDD (premenstrual dysthymic disorder)
may influence or trigger depression. Depression may be linked to key biological
events (i.e. post-partum depression or menopause).
· Genetic- Twin studies indicate that depression is often found grouped in
families. Scientists have not isolated a single “depression” gene but feel a
relatively small grouping of genes are involved in depression.
· Situational- Loss of a job, change in status, moving, divorce, and other
major life stressors. Over use and chronic stimulation of the
hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal system (stress axis) has been implicated in
depression.
· Chronic Illness and Disability- Depression occurs in the large majority of
patients with long- term disease and disability. A traumatic diagnosis (i.e.
cancer) may trigger depression.
· Personal Losses- The death of an immediate family member, close friend, or
colleague. · Medications- Many commonly prescribed medications may have
depression as a side effect. Certainly tranquillizing medications including the
Benzodiazapams may cause or deepen depression.
· Seasonal changes- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is sometimes seen where
depressive episodes are related to winter or overcast weather.
· Alcohol and other drug abuse- Rates of depression in substance abusers are
three times higher than the normal population. While many substance abusers are
self-medicating a depression, studies show that chronic substance abuse itself
leads to brain changes and depression.
Some recent studies have linked depression to chronic use of cannabis (several
times/day for several years). This idea remains controversial. A current
Australian study reviewed thousands of such cannabis users and found normal
rates of depression once other factors such as alcohol use, gender, illness,
etc., were accounted for.
Single agent prescription drugs called SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors) are the most common form of treatment. Drugs like Prozac, Zoloft,
and Paxil are in this category. These medications usually begin to work in one
to four weeks. Side effects of SSRI’s can include sleeplessness, sexual
dysfunction, and agitation. Older drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (i.e.
Elavil) are also still used although their rate and severity of side effects is
much higher than the SSRI’s. A new class of “bimodal” agents have recently
been introduced (i.e. Serzone) that act on both the neurotransmitters serotonin
and dopamine. Some of these agents such as Paxil and Serzone are also used in
panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Individual psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in particular
are often helpful in mild to moderate depression. Often a combination of CBT and
a short course of medication are sufficient to relieve moderate depression.
Severe forms of depression with psychotic symptoms sometimes respond to
today’s modified ECT therapy (electro-convulsive therapy) but the track record
of this formerly brutal treatment clouds use and analysis of this controversial
treatment.
In evaluating the efficacy of prescription medications in depression it is
important to remember that many of the current clinical studies have been
financed largely or wholly by the pharmaceutical industry.
Symptoms of depression include:
· Sadness for prolonged periods. Fits of crying
· Sleeplessness or excessive sleeping
· Loss of appetite or excessive overeating
· Sexual dysfunction
· Anadonia or the loss of pleasure in normal activities
· Feelings of despair or hopeless
· Feelings of low self esteem, guilt, or self loathing
· Ideas of hurting oneself or thoughts of suicide
· Unexplained lack of energy
· Chronic pain that doesn’t respond to treatment
· Anxious mood and irritability
· Trouble concentrating
Even a few of the preceding symptoms can indicate what is called a
“clinical” depression if they persist for more than just a few weeks. A
clinical depression rarely improves without a medical intervention and some
combination of treatment.
Numerous patients report significant improvement with their bipolar disorder
when they utilize adjunctive therapy with medical cannabis. While some mental
health professionals worry about the impact of cannabis on aggravating manic
states, most bipolar patients trying cannabis find they “cycle” less often
and find significant improvement in overall mood.
Patients who use cannabis to “relax” may be treating the anxiousness
sometimes associated with depression. Cannabis aids the insomnia sometimes
present in depression and can improve appetite. Better pain control with
cannabis can reduce chronic pain related depression. While cannabis cannot yet
be considered a primary treatment of major depression it may improve mood when
used under physicians supervision and in combination with therapy and/or
SSRI’s.
Patients themselves are often the best judges of whether or not cannabis helps
relieve the symptoms of depression. A poorly educated or narrow-minded physician
may think any use of cannabis to be a substance abuse related aspect of
depression. More enlightened psychiatrists (i.e. Lester Grinspoon of Harvard
Medical School) appreciate the often beneficial aspects of cannabis therapy.
Perhaps the most reliable yardstick of the efficacy of medical cannabis in the
treatment of depression is whether or not specific aspects of functionality
improve. Functionality includes aspects such as self-care ability, job or school
attendance, social interaction, normal sleeping, and cognitive skills.
More about Depression can be found at
Intelihealth (the website of Harvard Med
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