[ad_1]
Researchers have poured cold water on the idea you can use weed to treat conditions like anxiety or depression.
They say the evidence that it has any effect just isn’t there.
Analysis published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry looked at cannabinoids – any chemical derived from the cannabis plant – and its affect on various mental health conditions.
‘There is scarce evidence to suggest that cannabinoids improve depressive disorders and symptoms, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, or psychosis,’ the researchers wrote.
‘There is very low quality evidence that pharmaceutical THC (with or without CBD) leads to a small improvement in symptoms of anxiety among individuals with other medical conditions.
‘There remains insufficient evidence to provide guidance on the use of cannabinoids for treating mental disorders within a regulatory framework. Further high-quality studies directly examining the effect of cannabinoids on treating mental disorders are needed.’
Derivatives of weed, such as CBD-based products, have been skyrocketing in recent years as their medicinal use has increased.
The authors did find some evidence to suggest THC (the main mind-altering compound found in cannabis) may help relieve anxiety in cases of chronic pain – but it was of ‘very low quality’.
Genevieve Edwards, Director of External Affairs at the MS Society, writing for Metro.co.uk, believes that medical cannabis does help relieve pain for those struggling with MS.
‘MS is relentless, painful and disabling, and evidence shows that cannabis could help around 10,000 people with this condition who experience pain and muscle spasms, and haven’t responded to other treatments,’ she said.
[ad_2]
READ SOURCE
