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Depression can be debilitating.
A common yet serious mood disorder, symptoms can range from persistent low mood and lethargy to an unshakeable feeling that life itself is not worth living.
According to the mental health charity, Mind, 3 in 100 people in the UK have the condition in any given week. And that figure grows to 8 in 100 for mixed anxiety and depression.
While there’s a big difference between depression and feeling depressed (after all, brief spells of stress, anxiety and sadness are a part of life), warning signs for a diagnosable issue include bad sleep, non-stop unhappiness, and having no interest in things you’d usually enjoy.
Many sufferers wait months (or even years) to seek help, so it’s advised to see a doctor at the earliest opportunity.
Treatments, like depression itself, vary wildly. These include ‘watchful waiting’, exercise, talking therapy, and antidepressants.
In recent years, the medical world has started to explore the value of medical cannabis for depression relief. Since 2018, it’s been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick eligibility checker on our website.
Here’s everything you need to know about medical cannabis for depression.
Cannabis and Mental Health: A Mixed Picture
There is a known link between cannabis and depression. And it’s one that provides questions as well as answers.
For instance, there is a growing body of evidence that shows people with depression are twice as likely to use cannabis.
This fact has seen rise to two opposing claims:
- Cannabis can cause depression
- Cannabis can help treat depression
In reality, while there is some data to imply heavy cannabis use can increase the risk of depression, researchers themselves point to evidence that shows the opposite.
Indeed, the number of studies that show medical cannabis could be an effective antidepressant are ever-increasing.
In a 2021 observational trial, for example, participants self-reported a drop in depression symptoms, alongside less pain, better sleep and improved quality of life.
Likewise, a meta-analysis (basically, an academic paper that reviews other papers) from 2022 found that, though more research is needed, “cannabinoids may be a viable long-term treatment for stress-related psychopathologies such as depression.”
Cannabis Strains and Depression Symptoms
Before we dig into the potential risks or drawbacks of medical cannabis for depression, we should quickly pause to explain the plant’s two main active ingredients, terpenes and what role each may play on symptoms.
This is key, as specialist doctors can tailor a medical cannabis prescription – i.e. medication that’s high in CBD, THC or specific terpenes – depending on a patient’s health needs, to get the best results. Let’s start with THC vs CBD for depression.
THC and Depression
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, and works by attaching itself to cannabinoid receptors across the nervous system of the brain.
THC is what can cause a ‘high’ feeling of euphoria, increasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
When talking about THC for depression, this is incredibly relevant, as THC’s effect on the body is not wholly different to SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) – the form of antidepressant most commonly prescribed by UK GPs.
When talking about depression, this is incredibly relevant, as THC’s effect on the body is not wholly different to SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) – the form of antidepressant most commonly prescribed by UK GPs.
Meanwhile, a recent trial gave encouraging signs for THC’s impact on anxiety, especially in terms of boosting mood.
CBD for Depression
After THC, cannabidiol (CBD) is the second-most common component found in the cannabis plant.
It’s non-psychoactive, which means no ‘mind high’. But that’s not to say CBD for depression doesn’t have a role.
It’s non-psychoactive, which means no ‘mind high’. But that’s not to say it doesn’t play a role on depression.
In fact, a 2021 trial showed CBD made a significant improvement, compared to SSRIs. There’s also some data (in humans and animals alike) that CBD can have a positive effect on disturbed sleep – a common depression symptom.
What about terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. They contribute to the plant's scent and flavour and have potential therapeutic effects. Different terpenes can influence the effects of THC and CBD and may play a role in alleviating depression symptoms.
For example, some people look for the following terpenes:
Limonene: Found in citrus fruits, this terpene is believed to elevate mood and provide stress relief.
Linalool: Commonly found in lavender, linalool has calming effects and may help reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Myrcene: Also found in hops, thyme, and lemongrass, myrcene has sedative properties and can promote relaxation.
Pinene: Found in pine needles, this terpene may help improve focus and mental clarity, potentially counteracting the fog often associated with depression.
Considering these terpenes and their combined effects when coupled with THC and/or CBD, a medical cannabis prescription can be further refined to suit an individual’s specific symptoms and preferences.
For instance, a strain high in limonene and THC might be recommended for someone needing mood elevation, while a strain high in CBD and linalool might be better for someone dealing with anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Cannabis for Depression Treatment: Potential Benefits
We’ve touched on some of these above, however people who take medical cannabis to treat depression may see an improvement in the following areas:
- Mood
- Anxiety
- Worries
- Sleep
- Enjoyment of life
- Self-esteem
- Interest in activities
- Feelings of guilt and/or acceptance
- Aches and pains
- Sex drive
- Appetite
- Sociability
Effects of Cannabis on Depression: Risks and Drawbacks
As discussed earlier, there are claims that cannabis can increase your risk of depression.
Although there is more reliable evidence that people who already have depression are more likely to self-treat with cannabis (not to mention studies that show medical cannabis can help ease symptoms), this potential risk should not be ignored.
Similarly, for all the research that shows high-THC and CBD strains can reduce anxiety, there are still studies that find it can worsen it – especially at high doses.
That’s why it’s important to speak about any negative effects with your doctor to ensure that you are accessing the right strain or form of medical cannabis for your symptoms and needs.
Medical Cannabis vs Antidepressants: What’s the Difference?
Medical cannabis and antidepressants can both be used to manage the symptoms of depression. But, they differ in how they work, and how they're regulated.
Medical cannabis can interact with the cannabinoid receptors found in the endocannabinoid system, or the ECS. The ECS is a messenger and receptor system that is integral to homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. Research suggests that the ECS influences and modulates mood, appetite, sleep, pain, and much more. That’s why medical cannabis can potentially work for so many different conditions, and could explain how cannabis affects mood.
Antidepressants directly alter levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
We explore some of the possible risks of medical cannabis above. But what about antidepressant risks? Possible side effects include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, insomnia, and emotional blunting. There’s also the risk of withdrawal symptoms if someone were to stop using antidepressants abruptly. It’s also been noted that they may increase suicidal thoughts in young people.
Antidepressants are MHRA approved, regulated, and widely prescribed.
The legality of medical cannabis therapy for mood disorders is a little different. It’s been legal in the UK since 2018, but needs to be prescribed by a specialist doctor. But this doesn’t mean it’s legal everywhere. It’s always a good idea to check if you’re travelling somewhere, what their rules and laws are around medical cannabis.
FAQ's
Can you get medical cannabis for depression in the UK?
Yes. Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 1st November 2018 when prescribed by a specialist doctor. To be eligible, you’ll need a diagnosis for a qualifying condition (in this case depression), and to have been offered at least two conventional treatments for this condition. This can include medication, talking therapy, physiotherapy, surgery and anything else prescribed by your GP. See if you qualify.
What cannabis formulations are used for depression?
Your clinician will prescribe a formulation of medication that best suits you and your needs. Whether that’s CBD dominant, balanced THC and CBD, low-dose THC dominant or high-dose THC dominant, we always recommend starting low and going slow.
Could CBD replace antidepressants?
We wouldn’t recommend you stop taking any medication just because you’re consuming CBD. But sometimes CBD, and other strains of medical cannabis can interact with other medications. So, the best thing to do is speak to your clinician.
Remember everyone is different. At Alternaleaf, our experts will prescribe based on your symptoms and condition, but also take into account existing medications. They’ll actually create a treatment plan going forward, that can include slowly removing traditional medication, like antidepressants, if that’s what you’d like.
Some people get medical cannabis prescriptions because they want to lower the does of their antidepressants due to poor side effects. The sensible way to do this is to get approval from your clinician and then work with them.
What are the risks and side effects of cannabis for depression?
We mentioned above that there are some claims that medical cannabis can increase your risk of depression. However, remember that everyone is different when it comes to medical cannabis for mental health in the UK. One person’s experience with medical cannabis may not be the same as yours. As long as you’re following the advice of your clinician, you should minimise risks - and be sure to give feedback to them if you have any unwanted side effects. It may just be a simple case of them altering your dose or strain.
What scientific evidence supports cannabis for depression?
We’ve got lots of scientific evidence throughout this article. From this 2021 trial that showed CBD made a significant improvement on depression, to evidence that supports THC’s effect on the body are similar to SSRIs. We also have a summary of the blog post below.
Summary
- Depression affects 3% of the UK population (or 8%, if you include mixed anxiety and depression disorder). Symptoms are wide ranging – as are potential treatments – and seeing your GP early is strongly advised.
- Both THC and CBD-dominant cannabis strains may have a positive effect on symptoms of depression, due to the respective impact these have on the human brain and body.
- In general, people with depression may find medical cannabis helps ease many of their core symptoms – such as disordered sleep, low mood, anxiety, appetite, sex drive, sociability and more.
- Like with all medication, there are sometimes side effects. That’s why it is important to speak about any negative effects with your doctor to ensure that you are accessing the right strain or form of medical cannabis for your symptoms and needs.
The best thing to do is speak to your clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering depression treatment in the UK, namely medical cannabis. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.