As a result of the research is observational, it will probably’t say during which course this affiliation runs — if depressed individuals are extra more likely to flip to pot, or if marijuana use fuels despair.
“I believe it is most likely each of this stuff on the similar time,” Aoun mentioned. “Marijuana may very well be inflicting depressive signs. Additionally, people who find themselves depressed who’re in search of remedy are in search of out choices to assist scale back the influence or burden of their depressive signs. When conventional remedy choices are inadequate, they’re turning to marijuana.”
THC, the chemical in pot that causes intoxication, has been proven to extend ranges of dopamine within the mind, Wetter mentioned. Dopamine is a “really feel good” neurotransmitter that immediately stimulates the pleasure facilities within the mind.
That may make a depressed particular person really feel higher briefly, but it surely’s actually masking emotions that may return, Aoun mentioned.
“Medicine do not introduce new emotions that you do not have in you,” Aoun mentioned. “They only permit for disinhibition. For those who’re depressed and also you smoke marijuana, it isn’t going to remedy your despair.”
What’s extra, these dopamine rushes alter your mind chemistry in methods that may exacerbate your despair.
“It requires extra use so as to really feel good,” Wetter mentioned. “When you do not have that, you’ll begin to really feel the signs of extra elevated despair. You expertise the crash, if you’ll.”
Eleven states have adopted legal guidelines allowing leisure marijuana use, however Aoun mentioned he is extra involved concerning the 34 states which have handed legal guidelines permitting medical marijuana.
“When states are pushing for the legalization of medical marijuana with out credible proof, you are sending so many incorrect messages,” Aoun mentioned.
Not sufficient medical analysis has been carried out to firmly set up marijuana’s well being advantages, however legalization has nonetheless made pot right into a seemingly official different for people battling a temper dysfunction, Aoun mentioned.
He in contrast pot to insulin, a remedy for diabetes examined in large-scale analysis research earlier than it turned obtainable to sufferers.
“With marijuana, it has been a very totally different story the place these choices are actually pushed primarily by firms with a big monetary curiosity in selling marijuana use,” Aoun mentioned.
