If you’re finding yourself feeling depressed or experiencing feelings of hopelessness, you’re not alone. Daily life has changed significantly over the past few months. If you’re battling some feelings of melancholy or feeling despondent, you may be searching for an alternative solution to help you. If you’re curious if cannabis is a helpful option for you, read on to see ways it may be able to help you right now.
Is cannabis a good option for depression treatment?
There are a variety of ways to help treat depression. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all remedy to treat depression. If you’re looking to reduce some of the negative and hopeless feelings that come with depression, there is evidence that cannabis may be a good place to start. When depression spikes, other nemeses are sure to come along for the ride, such as insomnia, anxiety, irritability, feelings of guilt and self-doubt, as well as inability to concentrate or be self-motivated. A common misconception of depression is that it’s a feeling of the blues, but it can show itself in a multitude of ways. Getting help isn’t always straightforward nor easy, but adding cannabis to your arsenal may help fight the symptoms of depression.
Key studies have been published showing how the body’s cannabinoid receptors, part of the endocannabinoid system within the body, are positively affected by cannabis use. The endocannabinoid system is largely responsible for keeping the body in a state of balance by helping regulate everything from pain to sleep cycles to immune function; when it’s thrown off for a variety of reasons, cannabis can help jumpstart these receptors. It’s one of the reasons that cannabis may help individuals with depression and anxiety.
In a study published in the Journal of Neural Transmission, researchers found that “frequent cannabis users have been found to be less depressed compared to non-consumers.” The study further suggests that the psychoactive effects of cannabis prompt a specific receptor in the brain that promotes a positive mood, and could exert an antidepressant effect.
Additionally, cannabis works much more quickly than other slow-acting antidepressants. While the average antidepressant can take as long as 6 weeks to affect depression, low levels of cannabis use have been shown to affect negative moods almost immediately. Instead of waiting for a doctor’s appointment, then spending another six weeks to try to level your moods, seeking out a Las Vegas dispensary can help you get on your way to feeling more light-hearted than you have been.
More often than not, where depression lurks, anxiety also rears its ugly head. In a 2017 study, researchers noted that 71.7% of people suffering depression also suffered general anxiety disorder. There is evidence that suggests certain qualities of cannabis can reduce both depression and anxiety. If you find that you’re suffering from both, there are cannabis strains that may be able to help with both depression and anxiety.
What cannabis options are ideal for depression?
Some research suggests that overusing THC may negatively impact one’s moods, and may in fact, worsen depression effects. Because of this, choose cannabis options that are higher in CBD than THC, and opt for medical cannabis that is a mix of both sativa and indica. Since higher levels of Indica are typically associated with an increase in sleepiness, users that are looking to reduce their depression and increasing their motivation will likely want a mix of both indica and sativa.
If your depression is greatly reducing your ability to sleep, an indica strain of cannabis may be the right choice for you to reduce your insomnia, but may be less likely to help depression directly. On average, you’ll want to choose a strain that includes sativa to increase feelings of well-being.
To effectively choose the right strains, choose the best cannabis dispensary in your area to ensure you’re getting the most options available. The right dispensary should be able to offer several options to potentially improve the effects of depression, from edibles to flower.
There are a variety of other resources you may want to take advantage of while battling depression and anxiety, while also consuming cannabis. One of these options is online therapy, a great option for talking through your feelings without ever needing to leave home.
Other suggestions for reducing some of the effects of depression include the following:
- Move daily. If you’re feeling too stressed to even walk around your neighborhood, do some light stretching or yoga in the morning.
- Add natural light to your day. If you can, sit, stand, or walk outside for 10 minutes each day. If not, open your blinds.
- Try to do one thing each day that challenges you. This may be as simple as unloading the dishwasher depending on how you’re feeling or might be as intense as running outside for a set amount of time.
- Don’t self-isolate. Right now, it’s easier than ever to isolate yourself. While you might not be able to physically see your friends and family, try reaching out via online chat or video chatting.
Depression is no joke.
When you’re overwhelmed or feeling hopeless, even things as simple as getting to your car can feel impossible. Planet 13 can help with that, by making sure the right cannabis is delivered directly to your doorstep from a reputable cannabis dispensary in Las Vegas. No need to search out the right option, since we come to you.
If you’re not sure which strain is for you, make sure to contact Planet 13 to speak to one of our knowledgeable budtenders who can consult you on the phone or online. They can help you choose something that might be able to help you with your depression or anxiety.
