“I have been using medical cannabis for four years. Before medical cannabis, I was taking roughly 10 prescribed pills per day. I was lazy and unmotivated to do anything. Now I have the ability to have a better quality of life with the pain and PTSD demons in check.”
-CHC Patient testimonial.
Mental health medications are only a portion of a patient treatment plan to improve their quality of life, this includes cannabis. Millions of veterans and civilians all over the world are treating their anxiety, anorexia, stress, insomnia, PTSD and depressive symptoms with cannabis, yet a stigma still exists.
From 2013 to 2018 we have seen close to 96% of our patient base decrease pharmaceutical use and report improved symptom management. Studies also show a correlation with our data, a 2-year study demonstrated that cannabis users reported improvements in health satisfaction, quality of life, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. This all while decreasing pharmaceuticals, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions.
Cannabis is not a cure. Although, there have been many reported positive outcomes. Cannabis is not the only treatment that one should consider aiding their mental health. You will still experience mental stress, triggers, and general ups and downs in life. Having a tool to help with coping has its own obstacles. In life there is a lesson to be learned in stress. With having such a profound coping mechanism to decrease anxieties also reduces the likelihood of finding a non pharmaceutical way to overcome. Although you may be experiencing symptom management, we must ensure we are still applying some challenge to ourselves to grow.
At Canada House we still witness, post legalization, stigma towards the use of medicinal cannabis for mental health. Yet it is the number one wellness concern of our clients, from the ages of 18-60 years, both male and female. Stigma has the potential to make a person feel embarrassed and misunderstood leading to possible social isolation, reduced employment, poor housing, and poverty. This increases the likelihood of worsening mental illness increasing the difficulty to cope. With so many people suffering, a community effort is needed to stop this cycle of illness. Individuals who are utilizing prescription medications for their mental health also fight this stigma and have a negative outlook on their own use of medication. Some people feel ashamed that they use something to feel “normal” and wish they did not have to resort to these medications. When it comes to most other medications this stigma seems to not be there. We must break down the barriers that are stopping individuals from seeking help.
Endocannabinoid System and Mental Health
There has been an increasing body of research geared towards understanding the endocannabinoid system, and its mechanisms regarding homeostasis of intellectual function. Both of our CB1 and CB2 receptors regulate emotion, stress and adaptation responses. Reduced function of the CB2 receptors has shown involvement with psychiatric disorders. In the depressive patient there was a noticeable decrease in the production of 2-AG (arachidonyl glycerol) during high anxiety/stressful encounters. It appears through clinical findings; the endocannabinoid system plays a role in those suffering from mental health concerns.
Anxiety and Depression
The use of CBD for symptom control of anxiety and depression has been increasing in popularity. CBD has appeared to activate other receptors outside of the CB2 receptor, such as the 5HT1A and TRPV1, both are involved in the anxiolytic and mitigating panic/fear responses to stress. In a 2019 study, patients who were provided one daily dose of 600mg CBD demonstrated effect but caused sedation. This demonstrated promise that higher doses of CBD could be beneficial for insomnia and anxiety. THC has been utilized for anxiety/panic control. There have been occurrences with those who have utilized THC, presented with an increased frequency of breakthrough episodes. Utilizing THC for anxiety and depression control should be approached with caution.
Anorexia
THC is understood to be the most active compound to promote appetite. It has, in clinical research, decreased Leptin levels (a hormone causing appetite suppression). You can smoke or vaporize dried cannabis flower for fast onset. Many patients reported stronger efficacy of their cannabis with inhalation over oral consumption. For medical reasons, we recommend vaporizing the dried flower over smoking. CBD and the terpene Humulene can suppress your appetite and should not be a part of your first line of defence for appetite encouragement. Those who suffer from lack of appetite and nutrition can experience significant decline in their quality of life, do not suffer in silence.
Insomnia
Many studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that ingesting marijuana strains with higher levels of THC and sedative terpenes typically reduce the amount of REM sleep you get. Reducing REM sleep means reducing dreams — and for those of us who experience PTSD, it could mean reducing nightmares/night terrors. So, the theory is that if we spend less time dreaming, we will spend more time in a “deep sleep” state. The deep sleep state is thought to be the most restorative, restful part of the sleep cycle.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Many of our veteran patients suffering from PTSD have experienced improved symptom control with THC dominant care plans. There is no doubt THC is valuable, we do know that the endocannabinoid Anandamide (AEA) is significantly diminished in those who suffer from PTSD. The phyto (meaning plant) cannabinoid THC chemical structure is very similar to AEA. Anandamide is responsible for motivation, appetite, pain, cognition, and emotions. In one small study, 5mg of THC was administered to a group suffering with PTSD symptoms, others were provided a placebo. Those who dosed with THC showed decreased night terrors and improved sleep patterns over those who did not. THC dominant care plans are encouraged to take a daily dose of CBD to prevent memory impairment.
Self-Care
Performing mindfulness or self-care is important to everyone’s wellness. Some alternative therapies you can trial in conjunction with cannabis usage are as follows.
- Mindfulness (yoga, meditation)
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Deep breathing exercises
- Physical exercise
- Changes to diet
Although these techniques have helped many, there are many other factors that can potentially decrease the effectiveness of these techniques. Not every therapy is suited for each patient. We encourage our patients to openly communicate on how they feel both mentally and physically to their medical team. Patients are welcome to participate in our free online meditation, yoga, or fitness classes to maintain physical and spiritual wellbeing.
It is time to end the stigma towards cannabis and mental health. At the end of the day we have a mental health crisis at our doorstep, and we cannot just turn our head away. The use of antidepressants and anxiolytics is growing in all age groups. If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD or any other Psychological condition, we urge you to speak with your Doctor. Below are some resources for more information.
Now more than ever we must practice self-care, compassion, and empathy, or it will never get better.
Resources:
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
https://cmha.ca/mental-health-meter
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/contact/talk-to-a-professional
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html