Compounds in marijuana Can help TREAT depression -Ssudies show

Cannabis could be used to restores levels of endocannabinoids in the brain. Depression occurs when these chemical compounds are depleted by stress, University of Buffalo researchers found.
Endocannabinoids are naturally produced chemical compounds in the brain that affect motor control, cognition, emotions and behavior.

Researchers found long term stress reduced the production of endocannabinoids in brains, leading to depression.

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.

 

Therefore, cannabis could be used to restore endocannabinoids levels in the brain, University of Buffalo, U.S., researchers 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. 

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