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Medical Marijuana Strains for Depression

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Introduction
Medical marijuana has been shown to ease the symptoms of those who suffer with depression and depressive disorders. Here at Sensible Seeds we have undertaken extensive research into the cannabis strains and treatments that will offer the most benefits for those with depression. Sensible Seeds is committed to bringing beneficial cannabis strains and related medical marijuana information to you, and all medical marijuana patients. We are updating our website as new discoveries come to light and have therefore started to source a range of useful information from a variety of well-established medical marijuana websites. A summary of this information is laid out for you below.

What is Depression?

Depression is one name for many disorders that can be episodic, short lived or chronic. It is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days; depression is persistent and lasts for weeks and months. It is not something that people can ‘snap out of’ on demand. It is a real condition that requires treatment and support. Many people experience feelings of stress, sadness or anxiety during difficult times but a low mood may improve after a short time. It is not always a sign of depression.

Depression is common. It affects about one in 10 of us at some stage, and equally affects men and women and the young and the old. Depression can affects children. Approximately 4% of children aged five to 16 in the UK have depression.

 

The symptoms of depression

Depression will affect people in different ways. Symptoms vary from very mild to severe. The symptoms range from feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to losing interest in life or feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. Some people feel a little weepy while others have full blown feelings that life is not worth living and consider suicide. Patients may also suffer with excessive overeating, sexual dysfunction, and feelings of low self-esteem, guilt, or self-loathing, unexplained lack of energy, chronic pain that doesn’t respond to treatment, irritability and trouble concentrating.

 

The causes of depression

Occasionally depression is triggered by life changing events such as losing your job, moving, getting married, going to University or having a baby. Other people have a family history of depression and therefore are more likely to have depression themselves. However, sometimes there is just no cause.

 

Conventional medical treatment for depression

Treatment for depression involves either medication or talking therapies such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. Most often the patient is offered a combination of the two. Patients are also recommended to make lifestyle changes and ensure they are getting plenty of exercise and that they eat and drink healthily.

There are a variety of anti-depressant medications including tricyclic antidepressants, MAO’s (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRI’s (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) among others. However, a recent study (January 2010) published in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that antidepressants are only effective for those with severe depression.  Side effects from antidepressants are unacceptable for many people and can include the following:

·         Fatigue

·         High blood pressure

·         Constipation

·         Blurred vision or worsening of glaucoma

·         Weight loss

·         Dizziness

·         Headaches

·         Sexual problems

Added to this, many medications can lead to bad withdrawal symptoms.

 

Medical Marijuana for Depression

Medical cannabis has been used for centuries to treat depression. Robert Burton, an English clergyman, stated in 1621 that cannabis was helpful to treat depression and from the 17th century, physicians in England treated depression with it.  In 1890, British physician J. R. Reynolds noted that cannabis was helpful for depression and other illnesses (asthma, forms of epilepsy, nerve pain, painful menstrual cramps, migraines and tics).

Patient surveys and anecdotal evidence has suggested that MMJ patients benefit from using medical marijuana. Many studies show that patients who are depressed as a result of another serious disease such as cancer, HIV, MS or chronic pain, report less depression symptoms with the use of cannabis. It’s true that some doctors are wary of the link between depression and marijuana use, considering MMJ a cause of depression; however others do think of it as an effective form of self-medication. Recently, researchers have found that low doses of cannabinoids found in marijuana increases serotonin levels in the brain. Increased serotonin helps to improve mood, whereas higher doses of cannabinoids tend to increase symptoms of depression because this depletes serotonin levels.

The May 2013 issue of The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse suggested that issues with sleep may be a factor in the amount of cannabis a depressed patient uses. In particular the study found that those MMJ patients who used the most cannabis also reported sleeping well, and this was in spite of the most severe symptoms of depression. Researchers concluded that medical marijuana was useful to improve sleep quality.

This is important for those who suffer from depression because over 40% of depressed patients struggle to sleep. Kimberly Babson, Ph.D. and sleep disorder specialist at Stanford University was the lead author of this study. She recognised a link between medical marijuana and sleep in her previous work, finding that poor sleep quality was an accurate predictor of who would relapse earliest while attempting to quit using cannabis. Dr. Babson’s therefore recognised that marijuana improved sleep quality and for those MMJ patients with depression, marijuana’s effect on sleep was an added benefit.

A neurobiological study conducted by McGill University and a research institute affiliated with the Universite de Montreal similarly indicated that, “Cannabis in low doses increased serotonin levels in the brains of laboratory rats.” The depletion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls moods, leads to depression.  Anti-depression drugs work by increasing the serotonin in the brain. As in the Babson study, increased doses reversed the benefit among rats. The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience, and noted that anecdotal evidence proved that MMJ patients experienced good effects, but they also experienced “unwanted effects.”

According to the Journal of Clinical Investigation, (Nov 1, 2005) medical marijuana is a most basic and beneficial remedy for Clinical Depression, as “cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis (brain cell growth) and ….anti-depressant-like effects.”

 

Medical marijuana for Depression – Sensible Seeds

The Sensible Seeds team are constantly updating the list of marijuana seeds available to sufferers of depression and other medical marijuana patients. Keep checking back at the Sensible Seeds websites for updates on medical marijuana for depression or contact us for advice and further information.

 

BC Bud Depot -  Girl Scout Cookies  - Feminized  - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/bc-bud-depot-girl-scout-cookies-feminized.html 

Chimera Seeds - C4 – Regular -  http://www.sensibleseeds.com/chimera-seeds-c4.html 

De Sjamaan - Ingemars Punch - Regular -  http://www.sensibleseeds.com/de-sjamaan-ingemars-punch-regular.html 

De Sjamaan - Widow Skunk - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/de-sjamaan-widow-skunk-regular.html 

DNA Genetics  - Kandy Kush x Skunk -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/dna-genetics-kandy-kush-x-skunk-regular.html 

DNA Genetics -  Sleestack x Skunk -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/dna-genetics-sleestack-x-skunk-regular.html 

Dutch Passion - Seeds Snowbud -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/dutch-passion-snowbud-feminized.html 

Emerald Triangle Seeds Lost Coast OG Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/emerald-triangle-seeds-lost-coast-og-feminized.html 

Emerald Triangle Seeds -  Lost Coast OG -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/emerald-triangle-seeds-lost-coast-og-regular.html 

Finest Medical Seeds - Amnesia Haze -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/finest-medical-seeds-amnesia-haze-feminized.html 

Finest Medical Seeds - Citrus Skunk - Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/finest-medical-seeds-citrus-skunk-feminized.html 

Finest Medical Seeds - Medi Kush AKA Kushage - Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/finest-medical-seeds-medi-kush-aka-kushage-feminized.html 

Kannabia - Speedy Gonzales - Auto Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/kannabia-speedy-gonzales-auto-feminized.html 

Mandala Seeds - Ganesh - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/mandala-seeds-ganesh-regular.html 

Medicann -  Cali Jack -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/medicann-cali-jack-feminized.html 

Medicann -  Chem Dawg -  Feminised - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/medicann-chem-dawg-feminised.html 

Medicann -  Kush Fromage -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/medicann-kush-fromage-feminized.html  

Medicann -  OG Kush -  Feminised - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/medicann-og-kush-feminised.html 

Medicann -  Scrog -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/medicann-scrog-regular.html 

Medicann -  Trainwreck -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/medicann-trainwreck-feminized.html 

Mr Nice - G13 Skunk -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/mr-nice-g13-skunk-regular.html 

Paradise – Sheherazade -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/paradise-sheherazade-regular.html 

Rare Dankness Seeds - Commerce City Kush - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/rare-dankness-seeds-commerce-city-kush-regular.html 

Rare Dankness Seeds -  Dark Shadow Haze -  Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/rare-dankness-seeds-dark-shadow-haze-regular-ar-rd-012.html 

Rare Dankness Seeds - Flo OG - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/rare-dankness-seeds-flo-og-regular-ar-rd-034.html 

Rare Dankness Seeds -  Vale a Valea Haze - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/rare-dankness-seeds-vale-a-valea-haze-regular.html 

Royal Queen Seeds -  Shining Silver Haze - Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/royal-queen-seeds-shining-silver-haze-feminized.html 

Serious Seeds -  AK47 -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/serious-seeds-ak47-feminized.html 

Spliff Seeds – AK -  Feminized (Gold) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-gold-line-ak-feminized.html 

Spliff Seeds – AK - Regular (Silver) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-ak-regular-silver.html 

Spliff Seeds - Blue Medi Kush -  Feminised (GOLD) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-gold-line-blue-medi-kush-feminised.html 

Spliff Seeds - Jack F1 - Feminised (GOLD) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-gold-line-jack-f1-feminised.html 

Spliff Seeds - Jack F1 - Regular (Silver) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-silver-line-jack-f1-regular.html 

Spliff Seeds - Master Kush  - Regular (Bronze) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-master-kush-regular-bronze.html  

Spliff Seeds -  Neville's Haze - Feminised (Gold) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-gold-line-nevilles-haze-feminised.html 

Spliff Seeds - Snow White -  Feminised (Gold) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-gold-line-snow-white-feminised.html 

Spliff Seeds - Spliff 's Strawberry - Feminised (Gold) - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/spliff-seeds-gold-line-strawberry-feminised.html 

Strain Hunters Seeds -  Afgooey - Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/strain-hunters-seeds-afgooey-feminized.html 

Sweet Seeds - Ganesh Spirit -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/sweet-seeds-ganesh-spirit-feminized.html 

TGA Subcool Seeds - Dr Who - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/tga-subcool-seeds-dr-who-regular.html 

TGA Subcool Seeds - Jilly Bean - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/tga-subcool-seeds-jilly-bean-regular.html 

TGA Subcool Seeds - Mickey Kush - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/tga-subcool-seeds-mickey-kush-regular.html 

The Real Seed Company - Kumaoni Himalayan - Regular - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/the-real-seed-company-kumaoni-himalayan-regular.html 

Vision Seeds - AK-49 - Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/vision-seeds-ak-49-feminized.html 

Vision Seeds – Amnesia -  Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/vision-seeds-amnesia-feminized.html 

World of Seeds Diamond Line - High Tension - Feminized - http://www.sensibleseeds.com/world-of-seeds-high-tension-feminized.html

 

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Sensible Seeds source all their medical marijuana information from related MMJ sites on the web. This information comes from reliable sources though we cannot be 100% certain of its accuracy. Medical Marijuana strains listed for helping certain medical conditions are again sourced from other medical marijuana web sites and are not officially approved by any government organisation. Recommended strains usually come from individuals that discovered that a particular strain helped them for a particular condition though this may vary from person to person. Our Medical information serves only as a guideline and customers are advised to make their own independent research. Sensible Seeds are not qualified medical practitioners and source any medical info from information already present on the internet. We cannot accept any liability for any issue arising for information provided on our website.

The Service provides general information about medical conditions and treatments and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

You must not rely on the information provided by this Service as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information provided by this Service.

Reliance on any information provided by Sensible Seeds employees, other parties privy to the Service, or other users of the Service is solely at your own risk.

 

 
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