After just two puffs patients felt less anxious and after ten puffs they were less stressed
Just one puff of cannabis can significantly reduce depression and anxiety, new research suggests.
But prolonged use over time could lead to worsening feelings of depression, experts warned.
Washington State researchers assessed how varying levels of chemicals found in marijuana affected people’s moods and feelings of wellbeing.
The team found that just a single puff was enough to reduce depression symptoms. After just two puffs patients felt less anxious and after ten puffs they were less stressed.
Lead author Carrie Cuttler, assistant professor of psychology at Washington State, said: “Existing research on the effects of cannabis on depression, anxiety and stress are very rare and have almost exclusively been done with orally administered THC pills in a laboratory.
“What is unique about our study 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.
“Our study shows that CBD is also a very important ingredient in cannabis and may augment some of the positive effects of THC.”
For this study, Cuttler and colleagues assessed around 12,000 entries of adults who used the app to track symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Users of the app reported their gender, method of cannabis use, quantity of cannabis use (such as the number of puffs taken when smoking the drug), and the percentage of THC and CBD in their cannabis.
Users rate the symptoms they are experiencing from one to ten before and after using cannabis.
“Currently, medical and recreational cannabis users rely on the advice of bud tenders whose recommendations are based off of anecdotal not scientific evidence.”
One of the main ingredients in medical marijuana, cannabidiol, is also used in cannabis oil to treat a range of issues including mental health, sleep problems, low appetite, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and palliative care.
It is also said to help prevent the signs of ageing and protect against eczema and psoriasis.
h/t Medical News Today
Image – Pixabay
