Research out of McGill, covered by the CBC, examined possible anti-depressant benefits of cannabis (and by us here). They used rats injected with small and large doses of chemicals associated with the effects of cannabis on the brain. They found that the smaller doses did have an anti-depressant effect, but that larger doses had the opposite, they were depression enhancing.

Some people report having a mood boost by smoking marijuana, which is what led the researchers to study the effects of the drug on the brain, and hopefully the research can lead to more understanding of the brain and depression. Psychologically, smoking marijuana (or taking another substance) might have some positive chemical effect, and the experience is a temporary relief from feeling depressed, but I would imagine that virtually no one would ever recommend developing a dependence on a substance for relief.

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26connections » Blog Archive » Cannabis as an Anti-Depressant? (10/26/2007)

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It’s official, I will never smoke again « Wacko Magnet (1/23/2008)

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 26 Oct 2007
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