Sparking up a joint with friends is a way to chill for many tokers.  But for others, weed can be a very effective treatment for stress, depression and anxiety.

Many experience depression, and often treat it with prescription anti-depressants to help find some relief. But with the rise in antidepressants and related concerns about addiction, many have begun seeking other options.

Nearly all medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, have some kind of undesirable and often times dangerous side effect.

Fortunately, cannabis has been shown to improve depressive symptoms. Studies have indicated that the most common self-reported reason for using cannabis is in its ability to reduce feelings of stress, tension and anxiety. Similar to the way many anti-depressants do but without the required daily take and side effects.

Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day.

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Cannabis works in a very natural way together with the body’s own system. This makes cannabis a pleasant recreational substance, but also a medicinal plant that can alleviate or cure a variety of ailments including depression.

Research has proven cannabinoids cause new brain cells to grow; a process known as neurogenesis. The process of growing new brain cells, specifically in the hippocampus, explains why cannabis is so effective in treating mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress; these conditions are all related to a lack of adult neurogenesis.

Weed could be all that is needed to treat individuals suffering from anxiety and depression.

Those suffering from depression often deal with unproductive and negative thought cycles. But those who smoke weed once or more weekly have reported fewer episodes of depression.

Relaxed attitudes toward marijuana use have seen an increase in many using weed to reduce stress, to socialize, to alleviate depression and to sleep better. Helping us achieve and maintain balance without the use of prescription drugs. 

Feature Image: Brenda Pina
Feature Image Model: Melissa Getchell
Sources: SensiSeeds.com

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Written by Muze Collective

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