Back in 2020, it was reported that about 8.4% of the U.S. population had depression. This is not including any of the people who had not been diagnosed, which could make the actual number much higher.
It seems as if more and more people are experiencing depression in the United States every year. This could be due to a number of things, but the pandemic probably had some influence on this. People did not go out as much, and many of us understandably felt lonely.
Even if you don’t know it, you probably know someone, or multiple people, with depression. It is important to understand what depression really is and the feelings people with depression may experience.
People struggling with depression need support from their family and friends. Becoming educated on the subject is important, so we can be there for our loved ones.
What Is Depression
Depression is an extremely common and very serious mental illness. It can affect how you feel, how you act, and how you think. As you can imagine, depression can impact every part of a person’s life from work to relationships to confidence and self-image.
Many people who have been diagnosed with depression report feelings of sadness, loneliness, and a loss of interest in daily activities. These feelings can lead to physical problems as well and decrease ability to function overall.
Here are some of the common symptoms of depression:
Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of energy or increased fatigue
Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
Feeling worthless or guilty
Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
In order to be clinically diagnosed with depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks and must somehow interfere with your level of functioning.
Everybody feels sad sometimes, especially in situations like grief or the loss of a job. Feeling sad and upset as a result of these things is completely normal and is not the same as depression.
Depression and Marijuana
The simple answer to the age old question of whether marijuana can help treat depression is that it depends. It depends on who you ask, as it depends on each person and unique symptoms they experience.
Many studies have been conducted on marijuana and depression but not as many as we would like. Due to the fact that marijuana is still considered a Schedule I substance, testing can be difficult to implement.
A study conducted last year found that those who used marijuana had lower depression rates than those who did not use marijuana. Another follow-up study was conducted, and those who began using cannabis saw a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms.
Many people who experience depression may have trouble eating and sleeping, which marijuana can help with. Cannabis can get you on a more regular sleeping schedule and help you get better-quality sleep as well.
Marijuana can help people to feel more relaxed, peaceful, and happy, which can be helpful for people with depression.
On the flip side, some people say marijuana makes their depression worse and contributes to their already lacking motivation. There is really no right or wrong answer.
Try Medical Marijuana Today
The only way to find out if cannabis can help your depressive symptoms is to try it and see. Depression is not a qualifying condition on its own in Louisiana, but if you have a qualifying condition as well as depression, you can see if cannabis also helps your depression symptoms.
In Louisiana, you must have a medical marijuana card to gain access to medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state. If you don’t already have yours, we can help with that!
Cannabis is a great alternative medicine option that offers natural, safe, and legal relief for an array of symptoms. If you think marijuana could help some of your symptoms, what are you waiting for?
Schedule an evaluation online today with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors to see if you qualify for your medical card. Not only will you discuss your condition and options, but you can do so through a virtual appointment in the safety of your own home!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!