Medical Cannabis and Depression

Depression is more than just feeling low or unhappy for a short period of time. Depression is the persistent feeling of sadness, low mood and loss of interest in things. It can significantly affect quality of life and the way a person behaves.

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Depression is not just something a person can ‘snap out of’ and is a genuine health condition. The World Health Organisation states that Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

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This page discusses Depression in adults only. For information on Depression in children click here.

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If you feel you may have Depression, then you should contact your GP as soon as possible.

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Symptoms of Depression range from mild to severe. Those with mild depression may experience sadness and low mood but continue to engage with their activities of daily living, though they feel much more difficult to manage.

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Those with more severe Depression have greater severity in their symptoms and may find they are not able to carry out their activities of daily living. They may also have suicidal thoughts and feelings.

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Depression may cause several different types of symptoms which may include the following:

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• Low mood

• Hopelessness

• Unhappiness

• Anxiety

• Tearfulness

• Loss of interest in things

• Insomnia

• Low appetite

• Fatigue

• Low sex drive

• Physical pain in the body

• Suicidal thoughts and feelings

 

Following an assessment, people may be diagnosed with different types of Depression which may include:

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• Persistent Depressive Disorder – Depression that lasts a long time (usually more than 2 years) may be referred to as PDD.

• Postnatal Depression – Depression that happens in the 12 months after having a baby. It can also affect fathers and partners. You can get more information here

• Seasonal Affective Disorder – This is when Depression occurs at specific times of the year. You can get more information here

• Antenatal Depression – This is when people become Depressed during pregnancy. You can find more information here

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Pregnant and breast-feeding women should NOT take medical cannabis or illicit cannabis

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There are no physical tests to diagnose Depression, but it may be important for clinicians to carry out some physical tests to ensure there are no other causes of someone’s symptoms and that their physical body is well.

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There are some assessment tools and questionnaires that clinicians can use to help assess someone’s symptoms, severity and the impact they have on everyday life.

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Thankfully there are lots of things that can help Depression. These range from non-pharmaceutical interventions like exercise, self-guided help and self-care, meditation and mindfulness, support groups, peer support and community initiatives.

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Talking therapies are an effective intervention for Depression and a GP can refer a patient into those therapies. Patients can also self-refer to talking therapies in their own area.

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Some medicines such as antidepressants can treat the symptoms of Depression and a GP can help decide if this is the right treatment for a patient. In severe cases patients may be referred to mental health teams that include psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses and therapists.

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Whilst research into medical cannabis and Depression is limited, there has been an increase in the number of patients looking to medical cannabis when some of the interventions above have not been successful in managing their condition. It is important that this is done via specialist clinicians and only on prescription with the right care in place. 

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If you would like to discuss medical cannabis and Depression you can contact us here or self refer here.