



Depression is a common but serious mood disorder that can have a significant impact on the quality of your life and your relationships. Whether you have been formally diagnosed or have explored treatment options on your own, you probably already know that science has not made many advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of depression. You may also have been frustrated by the fact that the only options your doctor offered you were prescription drugs or talk therapy.





We are bombarded with a deluge of messages from Big Pharma telling us that taking prescription antidepressants is the only way to handle feeling low. Pharmaceutical antidepressants were introduced in the 1950’s and now there are more than thirty on the market. These are a viable option for some but are certainly not for everyone.





Many prescription antidepressants target serotonin levels, and cannabis works in much the same way—by increasing levels of serotonin. This was demonstrated in a 2007 study with animals. A 2009 study showed that an antidepressant effect can be stimulated in rats merely activating cannabinoid receptors — the same mechanism used by cannabis. Another study conducted in 2015 showed that cannabis could help with chronic stress by keeping the endocannabinoid system working correctly.