There are abundant historical references to the use of cannabis as a suggested treatment for mood disorders like depression. (1) However, human studies are scant and the results are mixed. A 1947 study of 50 depressed patients administered synthetic THC found the drug beneficial to 36 of the participants. (2) A double-blind controlled study conducted three years later on 57 patients reported that the administration of small doses of synthetic THC did not improve their symptoms. (3) A pair of more recent studies also yield conflicting results. One reported that cannabis helped relieve depression in cancer patients, while the other determined that THC failed to improve depression in eight hospitalised patients. (4)
A 1994 survey of 79 mental patients found that those who used cannabis reported relief from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and physical discomfort, as well as fewer hospitalizations. (5) Lastly, a 1996 study cited in the 1999 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," found that Dronabinol (oral THC a.k.a. "Marinol") significantly assuaged mood disturbances and anorexia in 11 Alzheimer's patients. No side effects were observed. (6)
The conflicting data concerning cannabis and depression should caution patients considering experimenting with the drug therapeutically. Additionally, cannabis' ability to occasionally produce paranoia and other dysphorias (typically among inexperienced users) could heighten some patient's feelings of depression. Cannabis' most promising potential to mitigate symptoms of depression likely lies with patients who have previous experience with it, and are failing to respond to traditional therapies.
References used above
1. B. Zimmerman et al., "Is Marijuana the Right Medicine for You?. A Factual Guide to the Medical Uses of Marijuana, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing (1998), 138-139; L. Grinspoon et al., "Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine" (second edition) New haven, CT: Yale University Press (1997), 141.
2. G. Stockings, "A new euphoriant for depressive mental states," British Medical Journal 1 (1947): 918-922 as cited by L. Grinspoon et al., "Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine" (second edition), 141.
3. C. Parker et al., "Synthetic cannabis preparations in psychiatry: I. Synhexyl," Journal of Mental Science 96 (1950): 276-279 as cited by L. Grinspoon et al., Marihuana: "The Forbidden Medicine" (second edition), 141.
4. "Review Of Human Studies On Medical Use Of Marijuana," Dale Gieringer, Ph.D., (1996).
5. R. Warner et al., "Substance Abuse Among the Mentally Ill," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (1994) as cited by Dale Gieringer, Ph.D. in "Review Of Human Studies On Medical Use Of Marijuana."
6. L. Volicer et al., "Effects of dronabinol on anorexia and disturbed behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease," International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 12 (1997): 913-919 as cited by J. Joy et al., Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base, Washington D.C.: National Academy Press (1999), Section 4.37 (uncorrected proofs edition).
