Cannabinoids as Anti-depressants
Cannabinoids as Anti-depressants
It may seem obvious to some, but recent studies have shown cannabinoids to have anti-depressant-like effects. Cannabinoids, commonly heard in conjunction with “legal weed,” are studied because they are believed to have, much like cannabis, positive effects for our bodies.
A study in The Journal of Clinical Investigation has shown that cannabinoids actually promote neurogenesis in experimental lab rats. Unlike drugs such as nicotine, heroine, and cocaine, which suppress cellular neurogenesis, cannabinoids help to produce anti-depressive effects. The researchers measured the anxiety levels in the test subjects and were initially simply hoping to show that cannabinoids do not inhibit neurogenesis but were pleasantly surprised. Although the research is still in the beginning stages, the findings seem promising for the development of a defense of cannabinoids, “legal weed,” and even cannabis.