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Can cannabis help TREAT depression? Compounds in marijuana 'may help balance brain chemical linked to emotions' Madlen Davies Daily Mail Thursday 05 Feb 2015 Long term stress reduces their production, leading to depression Marijuana can restore normal endocannabinoid levels, stabilising mood Previous studies link marijuana to increased mental health problems Marijuana could be used to treat the depression that results from long term stress, a controversial study has suggested. Researchers said molecules present in cannabis could help relieve the depression associated with chronic stress. Endocannabinoids are naturally produced chemical compounds in the brain that affect motor control, cognition, emotions and behaviour. Researchers found long term stress reduced the production of endocannabinoids in brains, leading to depression. Endocannabinoids are similar to the chemicals found in marijuana, and its active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Therefore, cannabis could be used to restore endocannabinoids levels in the brain, researchers said. The study flies in the in the face of previous research, which has linked marijuana to increased rates of depression, anxiety, psychosis and schizophrenia 'Chronic stress is one of the major causes of depression,' said Dr Samir Haj-Dahmane, of the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions. 'Using compounds derived from cannabis - marijuana - to restore normal endocannabinoid function could potentially help stabilise moods and ease depression.' It is not clear in the study which form of marijuana would best treat stress-related depression. However Dr Haj-Dahmane cautions the research is in very early stages. 'Our research thus far has used animal models; there is still a long way to go before we know whether this can be effective in humans,' he said. However, we have seen that some people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder have reported relief using marijuana.' He added the next step in the research is to see if using a marijuana extract, cannabidiol (CBD), restores normal behaviours in the animals - without leading to dependence on the drug. The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience. However, previous studies have found smoking cannabis increases the risk of depression and anxiety. U.S. researchers found the brains of users were less able to react to dopamine - the feel-good chemical that inspires a spirit of get-up-and-go. In October last year, a definitive 20-year study into the effects of long-term cannabis concluded it is highly addictive, causes mental health problems and opens the door to hard drugs. The paper by Professor Wayne Hall, a drugs advisor to the World Health Organisation, found smoking cannabis doubles the risk of developing psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. One in six teenagers who regularly smoke the drug become dependent on it, and cannabis users do worse at school, Professor Hall said. Heavy use in adolescence appears to impair intellectual development. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2941488/Can-cannabis-help-TREAT-depression-Compounds-marijuana-help-balance-brain-chemical-linked-emotions.html
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