Cannabis and Mental Health – 3 Ways Weed Supercharge Your Mind
Weed is legal in Canada, meaning anyone older than 19 years can buy, smoke, transport, and even grow cannabis. This wasn’t always the case.
Less than ten years ago, the possession or use of cannabis attracted punitive measures like fines and even jail time.
One of the reasons for this change in legislation is that cannabis and mental health are believed to go hand in hand.
We’ve all heard about the benefits of using cannabis on our physical health. The holy herb is touted to provide relief against physical symptoms like chronic pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and insomnia.
However, many people use marijuana in a bid to enhance, improve, or simply complement their mental health.
Due to the legalities surrounding cannabis, very few studies were conducted in the past regarding this topic. But now that weed is legal, many researchers are looking into cannabis and mental health.
Does the plant really help our mental health? What is its effect on the brain? Does it have any risks or side effects?
In this feature, we’ll answer these questions and more. If you want to start using marijuana but are unsure about how it will affect your mental health, this guide is for you.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is a psychoactive drug obtained from the cannabis plant. It has a whole bunch of names, depending on where you go.
Cannabis has quickly become one of the most popular drugs in the world. It doesn’t matter where you go; you’ll likely find some weed there.
Marijuana has been a part of many civilizations for centuries. Some communities used it to make herbal tea, while others smoked hashish before beginning their worship rituals.
Today, weed belongs on so many people’s daily regimens. Wake up, meditate, medicate… and that’s a great way to start your day.
Cannabis and Mental Health: What Does Science Say?
We’re living through some of the toughest times in history. Sure, that’s a tad dramatic, but it’s not an exaggeration. We just made it through a global pandemic that brought about loss, isolation, and devastation abound.
Many people lost their loved ones to the coronavirus, while others lost their jobs and businesses.
Friendships and relationships were disrupted by the distance and calls for quarantine. As a result, loneliness and isolation thrived, and our collective mental health took a dip.
It’s not a surprise that the number of medical marijuana patients in Canada was at the highest it has ever been in 2020.
Stuck in their houses, most people were simply looking for something they could use to take the edge off, sleep better, maintain an appetite, and simply keep their mental health in check. And for the most part, it worked.
But what does science say about cannabis and mental health?
1. Cannabis for Anxiety
We can’t talk about cannabis and mental health without mentioning anxiety.
Anxiety refers to feelings of persistent worry, fear, or stress regarding normal day-to-day encounters. It is an evolutionary mechanism that enables humans and animals to intuitively sense danger and respond accordingly.
For example, it’s normal for your stomach to feel a little tight as you’re walking down a deserted street late at night.
However, some people have anxiety disorders. This is whereby the mind perceives danger where none exists. This results in the manifestation of physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, an irritated stomach, and more.
Anxiety disorders may make everyday situations difficult, leading to avoidance, self-isolation, and even depression.
Many people dealing with anxiety have turned to cannabis as an alternative to Benzos and other pharmaceutical medications.
Research indicates that cannabis does have anxiolytic properties, meaning it could help keep anxiety at bay. This is especially the case if you smoke weed rich in CBD.
It’s important to note that seeing a mental health professional is the only way to treat your anxiety.
Cannabis may help alleviate symptoms such as a racing heart, restless legs, and more, but only a therapist can teach you healthy coping mechanisms to ensure you can easily keep your anxiety under control.
2. Cannabis and Depression
Another thing that comes to mind when talking about cannabis and mental health is depression.
If you’ve been depressed before, you know how terrible it feels. You feel lethargic, sad, hopeless, and empty. You lose interest in the things you used to love doing, and you find yourself wallowing deeper and deeper.
Most people have reported feeling as though life would never get better, adding to the overall frustration they feel. According to a report from the Canadian Mental Health Association, 6.5% of Canadian youth experience major depression each year.
Depression is generally treatable through talk therapy, medication, self-help, changing your diet and lifestyle, and engaging in more physical activity.
While antidepressants may help, the body becomes used to them when one uses them for a long time. This means you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using your medication.
This explains why so many people are turning to cannabis whenever they feel stressed and depressed. But does it help?
Marijuana— especially sativa strains— is thought to offer some relief from the symptoms of depression. If you’ve been high on a good sativa, you know what we mean.
Sativa strains typically make us feel more excited, euphoric, energized and uplifted than we normally would.
You may also find yourself feeling more giddy, talkative, and ‘laughy’. If you’re going through depression, you could use a laugh, even one that’s short-lived.
3. Cannabis and Insomnia
Some people may consider insomnia a physical illness, but we’ve decided to include it here because of the effect this condition has on our mental health. Insomnia is a disorder that makes it hard for one to fall and stay asleep.
Everyone experiences a lack of sleep every once in a while. However, if you find yourself tossing and turning in bed all night, waking up exhausted, and having a hard time fulfilling your daily responsibilities, you may be dealing with insomnia.
Some people use sleeping pills to combat their insomnia. While these may work in the beginning, your body is likely going to need more and more for you to stay asleep, and this may lead to addiction or dependence. That’s why so many people smoke weed.
Cannabis is a known sedative that leaves users feeling calm, sleepy, and relaxed. It also inhibits the secretion of cortisol, a stress hormone directly tied to wakefulness.
If the quality of your sleep has gotten compromised, a good indica may be all you need. Strains such as Blackberry Kush and Girl Scout Cookies will have you nodding off in no time.
Mental Health and Weed: Is Marijuana Helping My Mental Health?
If you smoke in order to enhance your mental health or improve certain symptoms you may have, it would be devastating to find out that weed has only been making things worse. And this is the case for some people.
We all have different genetics and THC tolerances, so it makes sense that we respond differently to marijuana.
While the herb might make some users feel calm, relaxed, and mentally at peace, it may exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety, paranoia, and even depression in others.
Does Marijuana Have Negative Effects on Mental Health?
Now that we’ve seen how marijuana can benefit your mental health, let’s have a quick brush through the risks it may pose.
- Cannabis and Anxiety
Some people have reported feeling anxious after smoking weed. This commonly happens when one smokes a sativa or a very high-THC strain.
If you have a history of panic and anxiety attacks, it would be a good idea to stay away from such strains.
Cannabis only relieves anxiety when taken at small doses together with some CBD. Higher doses are known to cause or increase anxiety.
So, What Weed Is Good for Anxiety?
If you’re looking for the best weed for your mental health, we recommend sticking to a nice, calming indica. We especially love Wedding Cake, an Indica-dominant hybrid that will have you reclined in no time.
This strain has a pleasant, creamy aroma and taste that will remind you of cake, cookies, and ice cream. While it does contain some Sativa genetics, smoking Wedding Cake will give you a well-balanced high.
Another strain you could try if you’re dealing with anxiety is Purple Kush, a pure indica that’s loved by smokers all around the world.
This strain will make your mind feel blissful and euphoric, providing relief from any anxiety and stress you may be feeling.
- Cannabis and Schizophrenia
You’ve probably heard or read about the correlation between schizophrenia and marijuana use. Let’s be clear: marijuana use doesn’t cause schizophrenia. Well, at least not for everyone.
People who are genetically predisposed to schizo, or are early onset schizophrenics, are especially at risk of developing the disorder when they smoke weed.
Schizophrenia is characterized by disorganized thought, speech, and behaviour, hallucinations, difficulty concentrating, and even memory loss. It is a chronic illness that can’t be cured but can be treated using medication, therapy, and specialty care services.
- Cannabis and Weed Psychosis
Weed psychosis refers to an altered state of mind that some people may experience when they consume a lot of THC.
Cannabis concentrates like waxes, shatter, and budder contains 60% to 80% THC. If you overindulge in such products, you may find yourself experiencing weed psychosis.
And what are the symptoms of weed psychosis?
- Paranoia and delusion
- Feelings of suspicion
- Feelings of grandiosity and invincibility
- Inappropriate emotional reactions
- Hallucinations
- Feelings of detachment and dissociation
- Disorganized and disturbed thoughts
- Nightmares
- Changes in general behaviour
The symptoms of weed psychosis typically last three to four hours, but may last up to 24 hours depending on your tolerance and the dose you took.
So Is Cannabis Good or Bad for Mental Health?
The debate is still raging on as we speak: does weed make or break your mental health?
Well, the truth is, the answer is different for everyone. You’re the only one who can assess how your body and mind have been impacted by your cannabis use, and whether this impact is positive or negative.
Some users may find that smoking weed helps them stay grounded, present, and out of their heads. It makes it easier for them to maintain an appetite and create healthier eating habits.
They use weed after working out because it relieves their sore muscles, and gets them snoring away as soon as the head hits the bed. For such a person, cannabis may well be the glue holding their daily activities together.
On the other hand, some users may find that weed does nothing more than make them feel anxious, paranoid, and lethargic.
If you feel like cannabis is doing more damage than good to your mental health, you’re probably right. Remember: cannabis use disorder exists.
You can speak to a mental health professional if you’re having a hard time figuring out whether or not weed is hurting your mental health.
If weed brings you a sense of well-being and mental clarity, by all means, smoke away! There’s never been a better time to be a marijuana enthusiast.
You can buy weed from BudExpressNOW – the best online weed dispensary in Canada and have it delivered right to your door! It doesn’t get more Express than that.
