Buzz
Depression is a prevalent mental health condition, and cannabis stands as the most widely used illegal drug in the United States. Many individuals turn to cannabis to manage various issues—including mood disorders—often relying on personal experience and sometimes research. However, the absence of clear pharmaceutical guidelines leaves uncertainty about whether cannabis is truly helpful or potentially harmful.
Whenever cannabis is discussed in medical circles, it’s essential to highlight how little is understood about its mechanisms—due to the lengthy history of prohibition, which has hindered proper research. We are now stuck in a situation where rigorous scientific studies are constrained by federal policies.
When considering cannabis as a treatment for depression, the lack of solid data is detrimental to those who may benefit from it. What amount is too much? Which cannabinoids are most effective for treatment, and which may worsen symptoms? What do the latest studies reveal? (But first, if you’re thinking of using cannabis to treat your depression, it’s crucial to explore other options or therapies, especially if your symptoms are severe.)
Insights from Research
Depression is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are various types, each with distinct symptoms, and depression can even occur alongside chronic pain. With so many influencing factors, recommending a universal treatment is not feasible. (For example, seasonal affective disorder is worlds apart from the mood fluctuations seen in bipolar disorder, and each requires different approaches.)
The same complexity applies to cannabis. With thousands of strains and chemical variations, which can change depending on how the plant is grown and processed, there are no simple solutions. These variables would make research challenging even without the added complication of legality, and this is why scientific opinions on cannabis for depression, as well as many other medical uses, remain divided.
As Emma Stone from Leafly recently pointed out, “no clinical trials to date have focused on cannabis as a treatment for depression, so it’s currently difficult to draw decisive conclusions about whether the plant is helpful or harmful for individuals with depression.”
In fact, a 2020 study concluded, “There is...evidence that the use of cannabis may lead to the onset of depression; however, strong evidence points to the inverse association; i.e. that depression may lead to the onset or increase in cannabis use frequency.”
One review of several years' worth of studies found potential in the idea that, when produced under controlled conditions, cannabis could be fine-tuned to address specific disorders. “There is currently encouraging, albeit early, evidence for medicinal cannabis in the treatment of a range of psychiatric disorders,” the review concluded. “Supporting evidence is emerging for certain key isolates, but clinicians should remain cautious about prescribing higher dose THC formulas, keeping occupational safety considerations in mind.”
In the absence of robust research, anecdotal evidence
Some experts are more optimistic. Eileen Konieczny, a New York-based author of Healing with CBD: How Cannabidiol Can Transform Your Health Without the High, a registered nurse, and board-certified patient advocate, has been advising her patients on cannabis-based treatments since 2008. She generally views the plant as low-risk when used responsibly but cautions that it’s not a cure-all and isn’t suitable for every condition.
She believes that the public's interest in cannabis as a treatment for mental health disorders is largely driven by the widespread nature of depression, but the answers simply aren’t clear yet. “Patients deserve to understand how a medication might affect them so they can weigh the benefits or limitations they may encounter,” she remarked. “Having a definitive answer would benefit everyone involved. Unfortunately, there is little clinical evidence to support cannabis as a treatment for depression.”
Much of the evidence available remains anecdotal, though some has been studied. Konieczny referenced a 2018 study of patient-reported data from Strainprint, an app that tracks cannabis use by strain/cultivar and symptoms. The study revealed that “89.3 percent of the 3,000 participants reporting depression symptoms noted a reduction in symptoms; those using low-THC/high-CBD strains showed a greater reduction in symptoms than those using predominantly THC strains.”
There was an important caveat, however: “When observed over time, these same individuals reported a return of depression the more they used cannabis over an extended period. This suggests that while cannabis may offer short-term relief for depression, it might escalate baseline depression in the long term.”
Before we can truly understand the relationship between cannabis and depression, we first need to learn more about how the drug interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, as well as the entourage effect—how cannabis influences that system.
Those who work with cannabis in creative or service-based fields have shared their own anecdotal experiences suggesting that cannabis can aid in treating depression. Jordana Wright, a photographer and author of Cannabis for Creatives, shared that she has taken antidepressants for most of her adult life, sometimes supplementing her treatment with cannabis. The results, however, are inconsistent.
“There are moments when it helps me navigate acute flare-ups in a reliable, pain-free manner,” she explained. “At other times, it has the same effect as listening to a sad song when you're feeling down—it just magnifies things in the wrong direction. It all depends on the situation, timing, strain, dosage, and mindset.”
Of course, no antidepressant—regardless of how much research supports it—works the same for every person. Many individuals go through multiple options before finding one that best addresses their mental health without causing too many unwanted side effects. But Wright believes the stigma surrounding cannabis keeps many people from considering it as a legitimate medicine. “Once I removed the stigma around cannabis in my own life, I began to see it as a positive tool for better mental health,” she said. “If you’re working with a psychologist or psychiatrist, be open about your cannabis use. If it helps you, it’s important to find a doctor who is either pro-cannabis or at least receptive to it.”
For Wright, finding the right treatment was essential. “I’m fortunate to have found an antidepressant and dosage that allows me to experience a wide range of emotions, but when I have a flare-up of symptoms, I prefer cannabis to something like Xanax. Cannabis helps me manage intrusive thoughts and painful emotions, allowing me to think through problems and be more proactive in seeking healthy solutions and patterns.”
Danielle Olivarez, Founder of Highlites, a platform focused on destigmatizing cannabis use for wellness, also advocates for moderation and mindfulness. In an email to Mytour, she shared, “As someone with depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia, I realized that overconsumption could quickly turn into self-harm, and being self-aware helps me stay honest and intentional.”
In the absence of reliable scientific studies, those turning to cannabis for depression must navigate it on their own—but Olivarez believes they can do so responsibly. “I truly believe in the potential of cannabinoids to help manage depression symptoms...when consumed mindfully and with self-awareness,” she said.
