Recorded to be cultivated at least 3,000 years ago, this plant has been used for multiple purposes, ranging from medicinal, addictive, and therapeutic purposes.
As technology has evolved, doctors and researchers alike have been continuously debating whether cannabis is safe for regular human consumption. Legalizing it remains a point of contention for many countries.
The Food and Drug Administration in the US has not yet declared marijuana a legitimate medical tool. Although CBD, a compound found in cannabis received approval last 2018, the proven scientific and medical benefits of marijuana use are still highly contested within different expert circles.
Canada’s Approval
Recently, Canada has approved the use of cannabis and has legalized it in the country, granted it follows certain regulations. Today, you can purchase cannabis from Kingston for as long as there are cannabis stores.
Cannabis is now used as a treatment for health conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, alcoholism, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Despite claims, it is still unclear whether the use of marijuana did have a direct effect on curing the disease itself, or was it only able to alleviate some of the symptoms.
Yet, with all this uncertainty, many people still bank on the use of marijuana to help cure their mental health conditions, such as depression, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Some professionals corroborate this, while others are fervently against it.
Not Enough Scientific Data for Treatment of Mental Health Conditions
In comparison to the aforementioned miraculous benefits that marijuana can bring to the human body, other medical experts have also pointed out that it can also cause negative effects as well.
Regarding mental health conditions, experts believe, that the daily consumption of cannabis, only makes the symptoms of certain conditions, such as bipolar disorder, worse. Others even go further and suggest that the use of cannabis triggers these disorders. However, the link between the 2 is based on limited evidence. Further research is needed for the findings to be conclusive.
Evidence regarding cannabis use suggests that regular marijuana users tend to have more suicidal thoughts and a higher proclivity for depressive disorder. It is also said to be a trigger for patients with psychosis and schizophrenia.
On the contrary, it has also been found that cannabis greatly improves the learning and memory performance of subjects who used it. And, mental health conditions aside, other doctors have found that the regular use of marijuana could cause testicular cancer, respiratory diseases, chronic coughing, and throat infections. Given all these uncertainties, it can be easily said that marijuana is not the miracle crop that other experts suggest it to be.
These contradicting results alone suggest that the use of cannabis for treating mental disorders has not been fully accepted by the scientific community.
It still requires more research, data, and case studies, to comprehensively determine whether cannabis is really safe for mental health treatments. Overall, the use of marijuana for curing mental health conditions still has experts on the fence, so before you add cannabis (in any shape or form) to your list of treatments, you should consider the implications that it can either do nothing for you or make your symptoms worse.
Psychiatrist’s Recommendations Regarding CBD and THC
Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are cannabis compounds that can have different effects on the human body. The uses of CBD and THC in the medical world are many, and it comes in many forms, whether in oil, vapour, or powdered form.
Psychiatrists have found CBD to be a helpful tonic for patients with depression and anxiety.
The use of CBD also makes it easy for many to self-medicate, which most professionals warn against. They say that, although CBD and THC can alleviate some of the symptoms of mental health disorders, it is not the direct cure. It also has to be taken in tandem with regular therapy sessions and other medications to ensure that the patient does not become addicted or dependent on it.
Available in any marijuana dispensary, CBD and THC have sometimes been blindly abused by other people who claim to have done their own research. Regarding that, psychiatrists always suggest that patients visit professionals first for sound medical advice, before going DIY on their treatments.
Final Thoughts
As of now, experts, scientists, and medical personnel alike are still debating whether cannabis is good for mental health. As an individual, despite all the personal research you’ve done, never underestimate the dangers of self-medication and always consult your doctor.
The future of marijuana in the medical field is still unclear. For now, it still requires more research, case studies, and experimentation to ensure it’s safe to use and confirm its alleged miraculous health benefits. Therefore, take it easy when using it, and trust the medical experts; instead, approach an RMT in Waterloo to help you feel rested and relaxed.
