Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among the most common Mental health conditions for which Australians are prescribed medicinal cannabis.
Most prescriptions. For mental health conditions, and more broadly for other conditions, there are products containing high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This is the a part of cannabis that causes the “high” and might affect pondering and mood.
Many of those prescriptions are for inhaled products, comparable to dried leaves or flowers that folks smoke or inhale.
This pattern of using inhaled, high-THC content for mental health conditions — partially — is driven by trends in prescribing amongst men ages 18 to 44.
For trouble alone, there are About three times Greater approval for products containing the very best levels of THC than products containing only CBD (cannabidiol).
But this prescribing pattern is inconsistent with the most effective available research. Most high-quality clinical trials for anxiety have tested CBD-based products fairly than THC.
This is only one example of how Australians are using medicinal cannabis to treat mental health conditions without the most effective available evidence to back it up.
Let’s start with the issue.
There is anxiety The most common cause of mental illness People seek for medicinal cannabis in Australia.
is Emerging evidence CBD may help some individuals with anxiety, but results are inconsistent.
The largest and most comprehensive Systematic review on medicinal cannabis and mental health found that it didn’t significantly improve anxiety symptoms. We still need large, high-quality trials and studies that reflect how people use medicinal cannabis in the true world, the authors said.
Evidence for THC is much more mixed. In our previous article we talked about how some people find THC makes them feel calm, but others say it makes them feel anxious. Because few trials have investigated THC for anxiety, it’s difficult to attract firm conclusions.
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What about PTSD?
Evidence to this point for using medicinal cannabis to treat PTSD is proscribed.
While some report profit, results from a small variety of high-quality randomized controlled trials (the gold standard for clinical evidence) have been mixed.
In quite a bit A short studyOnly five people accomplished your entire protocol. This tested cannabis incorporates either a mixture of 10% THC and 10% CBD, or a product with primarily 10% THC.
Both products appeared to enhance PTSD symptoms within the short term, however the trial had difficulty recruiting participants. A bigger study could be needed to find out whether the outcomes are reliable.
Another test Smoking cannabis was tested with three strengths: 12% THC, one consisting primarily of CBD, and one with equal amounts of THC and CBD. There was no change in PTSD symptom severity for either product in comparison with placebo. Smoking cannabis, including medicinal cannabis, can be Not recommended Because of its known disadvantages.
Limited and unsure evidence is one reason for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Decided not to fund. Medicinal cannabis for the treatment of mental health conditions, including PTSD.
What about depression?
High-quality evidence for using medicinal cannabis for the treatment of depression can be lacking. Oh A recent systematic review No relevant randomized controlled trials were found.
Oh Small pilot studies tested 150-300 milligrams of CBD each day with the usual treatment for bipolar depression. CBD was well tolerated, meaning it didn’t cause serious uncomfortable side effects, nevertheless it didn’t help symptoms.
Studies for several types of depression are mixed. something Show potential advantages fairly Adverse effects including worsening symptoms or severe mental health effects comparable to psychosis, suicidal thoughts or anxiety. It can be unclear whether the uncomfortable side effects are because of the product or an underlying mental health condition.
Is medicinal cannabis protected?
Emerging evidence shows that psychosis has been reported in people using medicinal cannabis containing high levels of THC.
Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (or TGA) They say Products containing THC are generally not suitable for individuals with a private or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia. This caution also applies to individuals with past or present mood or anxiety disorders.
This is principally because THC can worsen or trigger symptoms in individuals who already suffer from these conditions.
Why the increased risk?
Is it due to the THC or were these people already at higher risk? It is probably going a mixture of each.
Daily or near-daily cannabis use (which is common with medicinal use) is connected to Increased risk of, or may contribute to the event of, psychosis.
Young people People taking medicinal cannabis (and cannabis typically) for mental health conditions could also be at particular risk of uncomfortable side effects because their brains are still developing.
Other Research shows that high-potency THC products appear to hold more mental health risks. Those who use ceaselessly, or for long periods of time, are more in danger.
So the emerging picture is that the product used, the way it is used, and the person matter and might affect health outcomes. High-THC products increase risks across the board, but those risks increase amongst those that start young, use ceaselessly, or proceed for long periods of time.
What happens once I stop taking it?
Some people whose mental health symptoms worsen once they stop taking medicinal cannabis show that their medication was working. But that does not must be the case. They could also be experiencing cannabis withdrawal.
Many individuals who use cannabis (medicinal or otherwise) experience a rebound in symptoms – eg. restlessness or Sleep difficulties – When they stop. It may feel very much like the symptoms that prompted them to hunt treatment.
We also know around. One in three or four people People who use cannabis medically develop into depending on it and experience withdrawal symptoms in the event that they suddenly stop using it.
Therefore, cannabis withdrawal could also be more common than people think, and could explain the symptoms that appear when someone stops taking it.
How do I do know what’s right for me?
Many studies taking a look at whether medicinal cannabis may also help with various mental health conditions are of low quality or have conflicting results. So the evidence is just not yet strong enough to recommend it as the most effective treatment for any mental health condition.
So consult with your trusted, regular medical skilled to make it easier to assess the potential advantages and risks of medicinal cannabis, especially if you will have a history of mental health concerns.
Given the mixed evidence and the TGA’s warnings, it’s really essential to get personalized medical advice.