{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/bipolar/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2037-markdown","title":"Does Marijuana Help or Hurt People With Bipolar Disorder?","slug":"does-marijuana-help-or-hurt-people-with-bipolar-disorder","content":"Cannabis is used to manage so many conditions that it's only natural to wonder if it can help people with bipolar disorder. The answer, however, is still unclear. While some people have said it helps them manage their bipolar disorder symptoms, research suggests that cannabis use can make certain symptoms worsen. The question then becomes: What does this mean for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder?\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### After Consuming Cannabis, Patients With Bipolar Disorder Have More Mania & Depression \n\nIn 2015, the U.K.'s Lancaster University conducted a study that concluded that [cannabis use exacerbates or worsens some bipolar symptoms](http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0118916). In\nparticular, it claimed that depression and mania increased due to the consumption of cannabis. This finding has surprised many people, in light of the fact that some doctors have recommended medical marijuana to their patients with bipolar disorder due to the plant’s ability to help support cognitive functioning.\n\nDuring the study, 24 people with bipolar disorder consumed cannabis at least three times per week and then recorded their mood in a diary. Called the experience sampling method, or ESM, its intended to reduce the risk of memory bias, which can happen when patients report their mood at a later date.\n\nRELATED: [BIPOLAR DISORDER: IS MARIJUANA A NATURAL MOOD STABILIZER?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55c10d093166350006110000/bipolar-disorder-is-marijuana-a-natural-mood-stabilizer)\n\n### Bipolar Disorder Patients Took Cannabis When Experiencing Positive Feelings\n\nBefore the researchers drew any conclusions, they analyzed the participants’ diary entries, taking into account age, sex and the use of other types of drugs. The results showed that the use of cannabis often led to more positive feelings, but were accompanied by more manic and depressive symptoms.\n\nIt should be noted that the bipolar disorder study participants used marijuana when they were experiencing positive emotions, not right after a depressive or manic episode. This suggests that their cannabis consumption wasn’t due to any self-medicating type of behavior.\n\n### Marijuana Study on Folks With Bipolar Disorder Is Flawed\n\nAs with a number of studies, people should take the findings with a grain of salt, because there are some possible flaws in this study. For example, the sample size of this study was very small: only 24 people. As well, there was a lack of diversity among the participants; they were all from the U.K., so there's no telling if their background possibly influenced the findings.\n\nIn addition, the people who participated in the study weren’t in the middle of a manic or depressive episode. It's possible the findings could be different if they were.\n\nAlso, those who were studied were only able to report their cannabis ingestion methods with the use of three categories: resin, skunk and grass. The study didn’t take into account the possibility that different doses and methods of cannabis delivery could have different results.\n\nRELATED: [WORD TO THE WISE: CANNABIS AFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a99f05df24d1300077ccb71/word-to-the-wise-cannabis-affects-everyone-differently)\n\nAnother possible problem is that the researchers involved the study may have interpreted the diary entries with a subjective lens—meaning, they weren’t objective. Their own biases could have influenced their conclusions.\n\nLastly, this study had no control group. This makes it impossible to know if people who don’t have bipolar disorder could have the same—or different—results when consuming cannabis.\n\n### The Jury’s Still Out on Whether Marijuana Is Bad for Bipolar Disorder\n\nConsidering that this study's findings may be skewed and therefore inaccurate, we can’t know for sure whether marijuana hurts—or helps—people with bipolar disorder. In the end, people who’ve noticed positive effects with cannabis on bipolar disorder symptoms should continue using it. Those who’ve noticed no change or negative effects when consuming marijuana can move on to other options for reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder.\n\nIn the meantime, anyone interested in the relationship between bipolar disorder and marijuana use can look forward to seeing more definitive answers once a larger, more accurate study is completed.\n\nPhoto credit: [Bill Strain](https://www.flickr.com/photos/billstrain/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.   ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/68a74/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.png","srcSet":"/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/69585/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.png 200w,\n/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/497c6/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.png 400w,\n/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/68a74/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.png 637w","srcWebp":"/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/26da7/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/61e93/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.webp 200w,\n/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/1f5c5/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.webp 400w,\n/static/4335fe8d37e371a1eaebb279d85bd1f0/26da7/d7a3e982b068f259e0846976771d38d4.webp 637w","sizes":"(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1987-markdown","title":"Terpenes That Augment the Healing Power of Cannabis","slug":"terpenes-that-augment-the-healing-power-of-cannabis","content":"The two most well-known components of cannabis are THC and CBD, but\r\nthere are many more important compounds in this valuable plant. So far,\r\n480 chemical components of cannabis have been identified. One important\r\ngroup of chemicals found in cannabis are terpenes. These chemicals could\r\nmake vital contributions to the beneficial properties of medical\r\nmarijuana.\r\n\r\nWhat are Terpenes?\r\n------------------\r\n\r\nTerpenes are the chemicals that give marijuana its flavor and aroma; in\r\nfact, variations in the amounts of various types of terpenes are what\r\nmake different strains of cannabis smell earthy, fruity or herbal.\r\nDifferent terpenes also have different effects on the body, ranging from\r\ncalming down inflammation and relieving pain to enhancing mood and\r\nincreasing cognitive function.\r\n\r\nThe following five terpenes are some of the most important for giving\r\ncannabis its healing properties.\r\n\r\nBeta-Myrcene\r\n------------\r\n\r\nAlso found in hops, bay leaves, lemongrass and eucalyptus, beta-myrcene\r\nis the most common terpene in marijuana. It has a spicy, herbal aroma\r\nthat users of medical marijuana may recognize as characteristic of some\r\nstrains.\r\n\r\n[Beta-myrcene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrcene# Pharmacological_effects)\r\nhas an incredible ability to help the body heal. It relaxes muscles, and\r\nstudies have shown that it acts as a general sedative in mice. It also\r\nreduces inflammation, which could help the body recover from illness or\r\ninjury. Importantly, beta-myrcene has a pain-relieving effects, which\r\ncould help explain why some people use lemongrass tea for medicinal\r\npurposes.\r\n\r\nLimonene\r\n--------\r\n\r\nThe second-most common terpene in cannabis is limonene. It has that\r\nlemony-fresh scent that many people associate with insect repellent and\r\nlemon-flavored cleaning products. In fact, manufacturers often use\r\nlimonene to make their products smell that way. Limonene occurs\r\nnaturally in both citrus fruits and marijuana.\r\n\r\nThe healing action of limonene are well-documented.\r\n[Studies](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24328705) have shown that\r\nlimonene promotes healing of the mucous cells in the digestive tract,\r\nwithout any toxic effects. This could explain why it is used as a\r\ntreatment for gastric reflux and ulcers. It may also fight bacterial\r\ninfections, stimulate the immune system, and suppress the growth of\r\ntumors.\r\n\r\nAlpha-Pinene\r\n------------\r\n\r\nAlpha-pinene -- a compound most commonly associated with pine trees and\r\nother conifers -- is another important chemical in cannabis. Like other\r\nterpenes, it has anti-inflammatory effects that augment the\r\ninflammation-fighting ability of cannabidol (CBD). Alpha-pinene dilates\r\nthe bronchial tubes, allowing users to draw cannabis smoke or vapor deep\r\ninto the lungs. Some even claim that it increases cognitive function.\r\n\r\nBeta-Caryophyllene\r\n------------------\r\n\r\nDespite its complicated name, beta-caryophyllene is actually a very\r\ncommon chemical. It's found in cloves and black pepper, and helps to\r\ngive those foods their characteristic flavors. Beta-caryophyllene (known\r\nmore concisely as BCP) binds to the cannabinoid receptor CB2. This\r\nreceptor is involved in inflammation and pain.\r\n[Studies](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24210682) suggest that BCP\r\ncould be useful for treating long-term pain.\r\n\r\nLinalool\r\n--------\r\n\r\nOften used in perfumes due to its lovely floral scent, linalool is found\r\nin a range of nice-smelling plants, including mint, lavender, citrus,\r\nand cinnamon. It's a commonly used remedy for stress and anxiety, which\r\ncan be particularly effective in combination with SSRIs. Linalool even\r\n[reduces\r\nseizures](http://www.researchgate.net/publication/12925341_Elisabetsky_E_Brum_LF_Souza_DO._Aniconvulsant_properties_of_linalool_in_glutamate-related_seizure_models._Phytomedicine_6_107-113)\r\nin conditions such as epilepsy.\r\n\r\nThe Entourage Effect\r\n--------------------\r\n\r\nThe various terpenes in cannabis work together to increase the overall\r\npotency of the plant. This is known as the entourage effect, and it\r\ncould explain why whole cannabis has more beneficial medicinal effects\r\nthan individual chemicals that are extracted from the plant. For\r\nexample, the FDA-approved drug Marinol can be useful for treating nausea\r\nand vomiting caused by chemotherapy and anorexia caused by AIDS, but\r\nthere is some evidence that whole marijuana could be more helpful and\r\ncould cause fewer side effects.\r\n\r\nThe synergy between the various terpenes found in cannabis would likely\r\nbe difficult or impossible to replicate in an artificially created drug.\r\nExtracting a single compound from cannabis changes the effects of the\r\nchemical, which can lead to undesirable side effects or a treatment that\r\nis less effective than pure marijuana.\r\n\r\nOften, patients who could benefit from medical marijuana need more than\r\none of the effects. Cannabis includes compounds that can relieve pain,\r\nnausea, loss of appetite and inflammation - a common combination of\r\nsymptoms for patients suffering from a variety of serious medical\r\nconditions.\r\n\r\nBy choosing a strain of cannabis that contains the right combination of\r\nterpenes and other compounds, patients may be able to access specific\r\nbenefits, while still harnessing the power of the entourage effect to\r\nincrease the potency of the drug. The terpenes listed above occur in\r\nvarying amounts in the different strains of cannabis, making it possible\r\nto select a strain based on the needs of the patient and the symptoms\r\nthey are experiencing.\r\n\r\nCannabis Can Improve Lives\r\n--------------------------\r\n\r\nCannabis has the ability to reduce pain, tackle nausea, and fight\r\ninflammation. As a result, it has incredible potential to help people\r\nsuffering from a range of disease symptoms and medication side effects.\r\nBy using medical marijuana, rather than a chemically synthesized drug,\r\npatients gain access to all the benefits of cannabis. These not only\r\ninclude the effects of the more than 400 compounds found naturally in\r\ncannabis, but also the interactions between them.\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/14b42/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.jpg","srcSet":"/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/f836f/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.jpg 200w,\n/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/2244e/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.jpg 400w,\n/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/14b42/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.jpg 800w,\n/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/47498/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/58556/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/61e93/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.webp 200w,\n/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/1f5c5/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.webp 400w,\n/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/58556/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.webp 800w,\n/static/52418b6d3969d98776ed2492926854f1/99238/9af6289a64ddaffee981450f399ead40.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":4997,"name":"Bipolar","slug":"bipolar","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}