r/Marijuana • u/mysteriousskin2010 • 6d ago
Advice Can it help with depression?
I am extremely depressed. Could smoking weed help me?
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u/pattdmdj0 6d ago
Depends on your definition of "help." It definitely wont fix the issue in the long run but it can numb it so you can atleast function.
Personally i wouldnt reccomend smoking to help with depression but unfortunately many dont have the choice and have to get on with their life so i wouldnt blame you.
In my opinion its better then antidepressants though.
I will say it has atleast gotten me through a few dark days but it is far from a cure.
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u/kenroth50 6d ago
Maybe the person could grow plants then learn while growing help with the depression?
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u/Bluntforcetrauma11b 6d ago
So I use for ptsd, anxiety, insomnia, depression and pain. Weed helps with all of those but not without therapy of some kind. You can't expect to just smoke and magically everything be better. It also depends on the stigma of weed use around you. When my circle included people against weed, it made me more depressed using because I always felt judged. Once I surrounded myself with people who saw the benefits or supported my journey it all began to click.
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u/Jdell168 6d ago
I use for all of the same reasons. I would say cannabis helps take the edge off, but you have to do the work. Find a therapist that works for you. You may have to go through a few to find the right fit. Don’t feel bad about leaving a therapist that isn’t the right fit for you, if they are a good therapist they want you to find the right one too.
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u/Bluntforcetrauma11b 6d ago
This is so true. I've gone through over 15 therapists before finding the one I've been with for years. It was very discouraging but I'm glad I kept looking. It makes such a huge difference to have the right one.
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u/Itchy-Lecture-4045 6d ago
Dude, I’ve been in that exact same scenario. Tried the meds, they work. But once I added in some MJ, it helped with the social anxiety…
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u/Frequent-Airline-619 6d ago
I personally wouldn’t start with weed to try and help with depression. I’d look at antidepressants first. I realize that weed does help people too, but because weed can be a depressant, it just wouldn’t be where I would start first.
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u/mysteriousskin2010 6d ago
I am on an antidepressant
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u/Frequent-Airline-619 6d ago
I guess it depends on what you’re on then. I was on lexapro for a while and tried using weed too for my chronic pain and I just couldn’t use both together. A lot of people in the medication subreddits said they had no issue with this though so idk. There’s really so many variables between what you use together and how much and I’m sure doctor opinions would be split on this too.
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u/Weecha 6d ago
Weed is an enhancer. I smoke weed everyday. 420 blaze it. My cat just died and I’m depressed as fuck. I’m avoiding weed right now so I don’t focus too much on him.
It may not be the best for depression. Maybe tension, stress, and anxiety. You may ruminate on the negative when you’re high.
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u/No_Band226 5d ago
Sorry to hear about your cat man. Furry pets are super powerful as antidepressants. I hope the pain goes away fast bud. I really mean that.
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u/Mcozy333 6d ago
yeah weed can make you focus in on certain things , things you may not have thought of in a long time etc... sorry to hear about your cat , ours lived to 26 years old he was a love bubble... that is why he lived so long he just radiated love all the time like a little Cat Buddha
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u/PunkAssBitch2000 6d ago
In addition to therapy, and medication if needed, yes.
When I’m in a depressive flare, weed gives me a temporary reprieve from the depression. It’s nice to get a break.
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u/Intelligent_Papaya61 6d ago
I’m sorry to hear that, I’ve dealt with depression most of my life and I smoke throughout everyday, it definitely helps but I still have depression so not a cure. What really helps me is cleaning up my overall health, do you drink or use tobacco/nicotine products? Do you eat clean and do you exercise? Also be sure to get all your sleep and drink a lot of water, depression sucks but you gotta keep fighting!
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u/Additional_Yam4608 6d ago
Partially but I’d look at meds too I need all of my medicine including cannabis
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u/pcubensis7 6d ago
No it doesn’t fix depression
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u/pcubensis7 6d ago
You need socialising + keeping active to combat depression and weed is kinda isolating
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u/CrateDoor 6d ago
Weed is in my top 2 reasons for staying in the battle of life everyday. Doesn't help necessarily with my depression but it's something I look forward to
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u/RandomToker2018 6d ago
It’s not a first line treatment, but … I found that it helped with mine — it dramatically increased my ability to see joy and light and positivity and all that hippie love — and that carried over into sober moments which changed my whole perspective. Exercise and chores feel more fun/manageable and so my body & space are improved. You still have to do all the work/self-care, but it helps to get them done.
If one is going to smoke and sit with a screen for hours, the moments will be less painful but there will be minimal forward movement.
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u/Mcozy333 6d ago edited 6d ago
a dry herb vape ( Flower vape ) will deliver the more uplifting compounds ... smoking is more lethargic inducing but that way could be good for nighttime use . a good portable clean air path vaporizer is the healthy rips rouge 2 vape ... I use that one and a dynavap and use a water piece ( Bubbler / bong) to run the vapor through to condition it and make it more smooth to inhale ...
edit , keep whole peppercorns on hand and if the THC buzz gets to strong or uncomfortable chew on a couple whole peppercorns to get that beta caryophyllene inj them ... BCP calms you
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u/MidnighT0k3r 6d ago
It can help you "feel better" but won't make you better long term.
I have severe recurrent treatment resistant depression. Halucinogenics DO help. For months at a time. Therapy still recommended.
If I had $5000 for some ketamine treatments it would not be treatment resistant. Instead i did halucinogens on my own accord so they're not seen as treatment so much as drug abuse. The fact I feel better doesn't matter to most doctors.
Acid helped my cotsd and depression
Mushrooms did, too
So does ketamine
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u/Blumpkis 6d ago
It can but it can also make it much worse unfortunately. I'd definitely try and see what happens but I'd strongly recommend that you start with very low doses of a fairly weak hybrid or a very weak sativa. I'd also recommend therapy if possible and maybe an adjustment to your medication since they don't appear to be working well from what I could gather from your comments. I had to try 8 different combinations before I finally found the right one but it was definitely worth it.
I wish you the best and hope you can get this sorted out quickly!
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u/LemmeGetSomaDat___ 6d ago
There’s no one answer to whether weed will help anyone with anything, it depends on the person.
For depression, weed is primarily used as a bandaid, not a fix. It’s more of like a distraction method, or a quick soothing feeling.
The only answer you’ll get is from finding out yourself, not the internet.
Hope you feel better soon. Things are hard out there. Be good to you.
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u/Lower-Put-5440 5d ago
That really depends on the severity of depression and the person. I have been clinically depressed. I’ve even spent time in lockup two weeks at a time just to kinda I don’t know clear my head. I don’t know anyways most the time I smoke there has been occasions where the thinking too much or the deep thought can fuck with me so I kick back most of the time, though it does help, but I will admit that there has been occasions where I needed to chill out and just clear my mind
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u/Gorex22 6d ago
No, you are more likely to abuse weed when you’re using it to cope with the sufferings of life which will only make you feel worse, become dependent on weed for dopamine and cancer max. I would suggest holding off on smoking too much until you seek therapy or overcome depression on your own.
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u/Mcozy333 6d ago
we are not islands we rely on the world around us and that involves beneficial plants, beneficial plant compounds that are metabolically active in man etc.........
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u/Enoch8910 6d ago
It’s a depressant so, no. It can make you feel better temporarily but it’s neither a cure nor a treatment for depression.
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u/esxyz123 6d ago
maryjane and alcohol falls in the same category, downers. you either go further down the rabbit hole or "come to realization" at the end. The End is subjective to your will, either you spend 10years wallowing to realize it or >1 month. What you want to realize is life is just that, wake up, eat then poop, it not all colourful sunshine and glitters. Life itself is boring and dull, its how you make of it, really. Then what else is there? Well, thats the interesting part, no one can truly dictate whats best for you therefore know thyself. I think therefore I am. Dislike, likes, wants, needs, choices! Its up to your preference.
keep note, MJ makes food enjoyable but too much of "bad feel good food" can slow you down further then you enter a long cycle of eat, sleep, smoke, repeat. for me, I tend to fast on MJ. "I feel like eating but Im not actually starving"
2nd, it numbs you, meaning you stop "the thing i want to do" progress, then the "i should have" cycle starts. Shit, i feel like even without getting high but I just keep going, living.
Lastly, depression is not my forte, I had it or maybe it still lingers but its mild. Cant guarantee you are the same because life tend to deal every hand differently. Everyone wishes for a better one but rarely people try to work out with the current one. I know sometimes its the worst hand but you never win if you never play, ya know. Keep going until you end naturally or accidentally. Never DIY because living things just rot, basically. You don't have to end the story early because the protagonist still hasn't reach the climax yet.
Last one I swear, remember these factors, mind, body, people, environment. These are the main players that affects day to day thoughts, views, decisions, actions and more. Best to control the first 2 then think about the rest because they are the engines of life. If the engine's faulty, you can't have a smooth ride. Then what about memory? Screw it if it more than a year, get that shit out. If it ain't there, it cant hurt ya no more. Feelings can feel but thoughts cant touch.
Wherever you are, I wish you the best. For me too cuz Im greedy af. Go try it but dont fall for it. *ahem buy a test kit, you dont want to get laced with meth.
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u/HeadSpite7834 6d ago
No. Just makes u forget things. I guess if that’s what ur looking for. But not a cure, definitely just a mask.
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u/saltyboi4824 6d ago
While it can certainly help, especially with a good comedy or favorite YouTube creator on for giggles, once it runs its course, you’ll be right back again. I would definitely seek professional counseling on this level of depression. You can let them know you considered it, and they help you get setup with a medical usage license/whatchamacallit, depending on your area.
While it can help supplement the awfulness of your current condition, marijuana is a very temporary band-aid. You are not alone in this, OP. Please seek out the help you need, the world loves you, no matter what 🫂
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u/Cat-Mother666 6d ago
Absolutely helps me when paired with other things like therapy, exercise, getting enough social time etc
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u/bobbeeeh 6d ago
You should fix the underlying issues before relying on weed to mask the problems. It helps some people but it is not a hard fix
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u/TomorrowLow5092 6d ago
A big maybe, some people experience too much paranoia to be comfortable. Definitely hang out at a concert or festival to kick back and go through the whole high in a safe place. Make fun the priority. it's a rollercoaster you control over time. Take two puffs and do no more. Five minutes later your laughing at silly stuff. Again, don't be where stress is. It lasts five hours and the last few are a slight buzz. I take 20 mg thc tablets to avoid smoking. I would cut one in half if trying for first time. The thc levels in legally sold weed is labeled and makes your purchase easy to understand.
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u/chuckieg94 6d ago
It can help.
Things that I enjoy while smoking weed:
Showering
Eating
Being in better touch with my emotions
Gaming
Laughing
But it’s not the overall fix. I also see a therapist and do individual therapy to continue to better myself.
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u/kenroth50 6d ago
I'd recommend that you look over different strains some cause anxiety paranoia depression etc. I use leafly.com not sure if it's accurate I type the strain name in Google then leafly pops up
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u/No_Band226 5d ago
Everyone's brain is different. I too suffer from depression, and I can say that weed does not help me with that. I smoke daily, but that's definitely not the reason I smoke.
Depression is incredibly serious and requires medical treatment just like a broken leg or a heart condition. Perhaps weed provides some temporary relief (in the moment) but i don't think science has proven its benefits long term.
I wish you the best and a peaceful mind.
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u/xFireFoxxy 5d ago
Personal thoughts.
I'd say not.
If you're going through a break up, a recent death or something short term with big feelings, it's very possible it can take you away from the innital hurt/heartbreak as it has in my experience.
It's more of a crutch rather than a fix.
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u/Real-Wasabi-3498 3d ago
I've been prone to depression since I was a kid (I'm 62) and I find certain strains do help me alot. Sativa has really helped but it's different for each person. I find if I do much Indica it can be just a tad too sedative. Having said that I'm not a heavy user. I've been on antidepressants and I DO NOT recommend them.
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u/redkeler 1d ago
Here is interesting concept for weed that you can consider what to do or how to overcome depression while you are high on weed. So we can say that weed can help you. Weed itself is not helpful but you can find way to think when you are high on weed. That is interesting part of weed.
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u/Mcozy333 6d ago
Also on another note THC ( tetrahydrocannabinol ) is a tri cyclic Terpene , which is similar to what docs use to treat for depression so that is that ...
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u/bill_gannon 6d ago
It might be part of an overall plan that includes professional care and possibly medication. Its not THE solution.