A reason to smile
Depression is a serious medical condition, and it's important to get help if you think you may be depressed. However, some people find that cannabis can be helpful in treating depression, especially if they're not getting relief from traditional antidepressant medications. Studies have shown that CBD may help with some symptoms of depression and anxiety, including insomnia and lack of appetite. Compounds in cannabis called minor cannabinoids can also help elevate moods by increasing feelings of joy or euphoria - sometimes we need help finding finding the right one for our needs. That's why we've put together this list of tips for using cannabis as part of your treatment plan for depression:
Start small
First and foremost, start small. It's best to go slow, especially if you're new to cannabis. Start with a low dose and increase it gradually over time. If you take too much at once, it can feel unpleasant or even cause anxiety or paranoia—not exactly the ideal mood-booster! Additionally, some strains of cannabis have a higher THC content than others (the chemical compound in marijuana that gets you high). Make sure that what you're using has enough CBD (the other main active ingredient in weed) to balance out any potentially uncomfortable effects of high-THC strains.
Try different cannabinoids
Now that you know what cannabis can do for you, it's time to start experimenting. But don't worry—there's no need to experiment alone!
Try different cannabinoids: Cannabis is a versatile plant and there are different cannabinoids and methods of use to try. As with any medicine, cannabis comes in many forms, so you may prefer one cannabinoid over another.
Try different times of day: Using cannabis at night can help with sleep issues but keep in mind that consuming too much before bedtime might cause some users' minds racing instead of relaxing them enough for sleep.
Be patient
When it comes to using cannabis for depression, be patient. You may not feel the effects of cannabis immediately, and it can take several weeks for your body to adjust to the new medication.
In addition, don’t overdo it! It’s important that you take it slow when you start using medical marijuana as a treatment for depression or anxiety. The high from dosing can last anywhere from an hour and a half up to three hours or more depending on how much THC or cannabinoids are in your product of choice. If you use too much too soon and get overwhelmed by the intensity of being high, it can set back your progress. The key is balance: find a dosage that works well for you without making yourself sick or anxious (which can happen if you use too much).
Avoid overindulging
Use it every day, or even more than once a day. Studies have shown that using cannabis more frequently than this can have beneficial effects.
Avoid smoking too much at once; you don’t want to be left with a strong sense of paranoia or anxiety after your high wears off.
Keep your cannabis use private; while many people are open about their cannabis use these days, others aren't as comfortable doing so, and you should respect this preference if possible.
If you're going to drive, do so in moderation—even if some states allow recreational use, driving under the influence is still illegal everywhere! And if you've ever had any history of mental illness (depression/anxiety), ask your doctor before trying out cannabis as a treatment option just in case there may be an adverse reaction between the two.
Take a walk
Exercise is another great way to boost your mood and reduce depression symptoms. A walk outside in the fresh air can help clear your head, get you some fresh air and sunlight, and get you away from your computer or television for a little while. If you don't feel like going for a walk outside, try taking a brisk stroll on the treadmill at home instead.
Exercise has also been shown to improve sleep quality which can affect how well we feel throughout the day.
Get your environment right
Creating the right environment is important for your mental health. It’s crucial to have a safe and comfortable space where you can relax, unwind and feel calm. If possible, try to create an area in the home that feels like yours alone – this might be a corner of the living room or somewhere else in the house where you can go when you need time away from everyone else.
Have all of your tools and equipment ready to go before you start experimenting with cannabis as medicine for depression.
You’ll want to keep any cannabis products stored safely at home so they don’t get into the wrong hands – especially if there are children around who could easily access them by mistake. It’s also important that everything is stored out of reach: keeping things where they belong will prevent any accidents while ensuring that nothing gets misplaced or forgotten about at home!
Meditate/Go to yoga/Practice mindfulness
There are a number of ways to get your mind off your negative thoughts, including meditation and yoga. Meditation can help you relax and focus on your breathing. This can be especially helpful for those who have trouble sleeping due to anxiety or depression. Yoga is another great way to feel more grounded and connected to your body, which may help reduce depressive symptoms. Mindfulness is also an effective practice in helping you pay attention to the present moment instead of dwelling on past events or worrying about the future. All these practices are great options if you want something that doesn't require any special equipment (like a treadmill), but they do take time and effort!
Ask the right questions and do your research
If you're struggling with depression, it's important to find the right treatment. Cannabis is one way to help ease your symptoms, but it's not the only option and shouldn't be used on its own. In fact, there are many other effective treatments available for people with depression—from medications to therapy and lifestyle changes like eating well and exercising regularly. Before starting on any new treatment plan, ask your doctor or therapist about what's most appropriate for you based on your specific situation.
Cannabis may not work for everyone, but it could work for you.
While cannabis may not help everyone with depression, it could help you. If you're considering using cannabis for your own mental health issues, here are some things to keep in mind:
Cannabis is not a cure-all. Just like any other medication or treatment for depression, it's important to be aware that cannabis isn't going to work for everyone and shouldn't be used as your only option. You should always consult with a doctor or health care professional before beginning any treatment, especially if you have a preexisting condition or suffer from another medical condition at the same time as depression.
If you're looking at using cannabis as an anti-depressant alternative or supplement to traditional medicine, make sure you do plenty of research on how different strains work and what kind of dosage will work best for your needs before trying anything out! There are hundreds of strains out there so start small and then take note of which ones have helped (or hurt) when trying different ones out until eventually finding one that works best for
Microdosing is helpful at first
If you're just beginning to explore cannabis for your depression, microdosing is a great place to start. You can use it to figure out what works for you, avoid overindulging and negative side effects, and prevent yourself from getting too high.
Microdosing is basically taking small amounts of cannabinoids like D8THC or CBDA oil that are low dosage, but still provide therapeutic benefit. You could take a couple sprays of oil each day for maintenance, or continue to build up to your preferred dose (both popular options). Microdosing should help ease some symptoms of depression without making them worse—and without getting high enough to feel uncomfortable with others around!
Consider talking to a therapist or counselor.
While the benefits of using cannabis for depression are clear, it's important to remember that not all strains or methods of consumption will be right for everyone. If you're unsure what may work best for you, consider talking to a therapist or counselor; these individuals can help you find the best strain and method based on your needs.
If you are looking into getting cannabis from a dispensary in your area, make sure that they have knowledgeable staff who know how and when to recommend different types of products (ie. edibles vs smoking and difference in cannabinoids). As well as this, if possible talk to other people who have used cannabis themselves before coming up with an initial plan as well as any potential side effects associated with using it regularly so there aren't any surprises down the line!
Learn how cannabis can help depression and find what works best for you!
Cannabis can help with many different mental health issues, including depression. There are many cannabinoids that have been found to be beneficial for depression symptoms, so it’s important to do a bit of research beforehand so that you can find the strain that works best for you. It may take some trial and error before discovering your favorite type of cannabis and the perfect dosage method, but it’s worth it! Once you’ve got a good grasp on what type of cannabis will work best for relieving your symptoms, try using our handy tips in order to make sure that you're getting the most out of your experience.