{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/mental-disorders/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3641-markdown","title":"A HelloMD Interview: Psychedelics Expert Dr. Evan Wood, MD, PhD of Numinus Wellness on Mental Health & Addiction","slug":"a-hellomd-interview-psychedelics-expert-dr-evan-wood-md-phd-of-numinus-wellness-on-mental-health-and-addiction","content":"Dr. Evan Wood, MD, PhD is Chief Medical Officer at Numinus Wellness, a psychedelics company out of Vancouver, BC. Numinus is on the cutting edge of mental healthcare, specializing in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with novel psychedelic compounds.\n\nDr. Wood has a passion for changing policy, often by putting research into practice. Early in his career, his research contributed to the international guidelines for treating HIV infection among persons who use drugs. His later work contributed to the legalization of adult cannabis use in Canada and establishing clinical therapeutic guidelines for a range of substance abuse disorders.\n\nOver the last 20 years, Dr. Wood has delved deeply into the science and research around substance use and addiction. His lab was a participating site in the maps phase three clinical trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.\n\nHe is recognized for his work in improving clinical systems through research and policy leadership, particularly within the field of addiction and mental health. \n\nDr. Wood is passionate about his work in forwarding psychedelics' clinical use for various intractable health conditions. As Chief Medical Officer of Numinus Wellness he is breaking ground for safe, legal access to psychedelic medicine for conditions including depression, PTSD & substance use disorders.\n\nBelow is HelloMD's interview with Dr. Wood discussing the future of clinical-assisted psychotherapy and treatment with psychedelics.\n\n**Question: Dr. Wood, please tell me how you perceive the current mental healthcare system, where it succeeds, and where it fails?**\n\n**Answer**: I actually view the entire field of mental health and addiction with a great deal of consternation and skepticism. Currently, I think that the widely made interventions in the mental health and addiction world are often not evidence-based.\n\n I believe we pathologize a lot of things that are actually, in many respects, part of the human condition - such as anxiety and depression. It isn't that we shouldn't take them seriously. \n\nHowever, things like anxiety and depression are things that we need to grapple with from the perspective that it is part of the human condition. I do not believe we should pathologize people and tell them that they have a disease, necessarily. \n\nI believe the prescription medications that are commonly employed with mental health conditions otentimes have dubious benefits. For some patients the benefits are genuine, but for many patients there aren't any noticeable benefits. We have this notion of a mental health system that involves getting a prescription and taking a pill, as if that's going to be the solution.\n\nOften patients don't like taking these medications, as they experience negative side effects, whether it's weight gain or erectile dysfunction, or even more serious side effects, like increasing the risk of suicide. Unfortunately, I don't think we have a functioning mental health and addiction healthcare system in our society. \n\nInstead of offering a medication, perhaps we should look at changing a person's environment. That might be a better start. If we think that by taking a pill every day we're going to solve society's mental health challenges, I think that's wrong. \n\nAnyone who says that, really needs to check in with their own ethics. The reality is, we need a totally different approach to wellness and recovery with early intervention. Going to see your primary care physician who writes you a prescription for anti depressant after 10 minute assessment; is not going to help us become a healthier society. So, we need a total rethink around that\n\n**Question: What success have you had in reforming the mental and addiction healthcare system?**\n\n**Answer:** There are some bright spots and areas of success and accomplishments that I am proud of. I was involved in creating North America's largest addiction medicine training program at the University of British Columbia. During this time, I helped train and mentor junior trainees within the fields. \n\nI've had accomplishments such as being the founding principal investigator of the first supervised injecting facility in North America in terms of addiction. Here, people can get pre-obtained street drugs and use them under healthcare practitioners' supervision to avoid overdose and help connect them with addiction treatment.\n\nAnother area where I've worked with others towards success is in authoring national therapeutic guidelines for the treatment of different substance use disorders. I've got a wonderful group of colleagues here in British Columbia, and everything that I just shared has been part of a team effort. Furthermore, I'm proud of what my colleagues have done by going the extra mile to try and create a more functioning system of care for people with mental health and addiction. \n\n**Question: Besides getting involved in psychedelic research, you also were active within federal cannabis legalization in Canada?**\n\n**Answer:** Historically, there's been a massive illicit cannabis industry driven by local interest in (consuming) cannabis and the huge illicit export market to the the United States. Pre-legalization, the illegal outdoor and indoor cannabis industry boomed. In reality, this trade supported people and families; many people had basement cannabis grows which paid their bills and paid off their mortgages. However, there was a dark side to all of this.\n\nThis was an illegal economy, and we had all sorts of problems and continue to, because illegal drugs allowed organized crime and gang violence to flourish. There began to be a lot of intelligence sharing between the US and Canada as it went from cannabis to cocaine, and guns coming into the country due to the illicit trade.\n\nDue to the escalating situation, I helped to found a coalition called Stop The Violence BC, where we began to change the narrative in British Columbia. The fact the government made cannabis illegal was making the situation worse, not better. As crime worsened around the illegal cannabis trade, there was a tipping point in public opinion in Canada.\n\nOur group worked with the junior liberal party of British Columbia that ultimately took a motion to the national convention where Justin Trudeau, our current Premier, committed to legalizing and regulating the adult use of cannabis for recreational use in Canada. This was a foundation for the legalization of cannabis in Canada and helped to build the legal framework in which we work today.\n\n**Question: As Chief Medical Officer of Numinus, what do you see today and what do you hope to achieve for the future of psychedelics?**\n\n**Answer:** Our lab is a participating site in Phase three clinical trial of MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder, which MAPS has now helped yo complete. One particular area of interest for me is how this might have a positive impact the world of addiction. \n\nFor instance, one psychedelics called ibogaine, has shown great success in treating addiction. Traditionally, it's been legal in Canada but illegal in the United States. There's a whole industry of people offering ibogaine treatment to British Columbia, but it has some toxic effects, so I'm not a big advocate for it. \n\nOne reason is that ibogaine can cause a cardiac arrhythmia and can be quite dangerous for some people. But, I've certainly had patients who were in the throes of addiction and came back into my office, and I'd be like, \"Whoa, you look amazing. What happened?\" And then they would say, \"Oh, I went and did ibogaine.\" So, that is something, and I believe we have yet to see the full potential psychedelics have in treating addiction and mental health conditions.\n\nAs a result, I developed an interest in understanding psychedelics as a new approach to medicine- a new paradigm. I'm an avid consumer of the literature. With new and different studies being published by institutions such as Johns Hopkins, you can see the results of research with psilocybin for addiction and mental health and the positive outcomes being experienced.\n\nWhen it comes to addiction, the rational mind often does not allow for someone to stop using a substance. It's like the reptilian brain takes over and goes haywire with addiction, and then there is the reward pathway with dopamine that induces people to take more of a substance.\n\n I think psychedelics offer the opportunity to bring together that thoughtful brain with that reptilian brain to create radical change. It's also a total paradigm shift because you're not talking about a daily medication, take a pill and you're immediately better. We're talking about a strategy to put somebody through a psychotherapeutic intervention with psychedelics and, ultimately, a possible cure.\n\nPsychedelic intervention, in both the mental and addiction space, is extremely promising. There's more research to be done, but it looks extremely promising right now. So, I am super excited to be part of the different groups that are exploring these interventions. It shows such promise, and this may be a building block towards a much more evidence-based approach to mental health care.\n\n**Question: Today, what is Numinus doing within the psychedelics space and how does it differ from other players within the space at this point?**\n\n**Answer:** Numinus has excellence among the leadership team. In some instances, our team has lived through the psychedelic experience and has felt first hand the impact it may have on one's life. \n\nOur CEO, Peyton Nyquist has been very public about his own challenges with PTSD and how he was in and out of hospital until he found psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. \n\nIf you saw him today, he's the absolute picture of health. Thus, he carries that motivation as someone who was in a life-threatening situation and found something, psychedelics, which helped him. People who live through these experiences want to create real change, and often do. \n\nOur lab was also the first to be federally approved by Health Canada to grow psilocybin mushrooms. We are very active in doing extractions and developing products, and understanding these mushrooms on a deeper level through science. There's psilocybin, but there are also other psychoactive molecules of importance. There's lots to be learned and done in this space. We have a long ten-year history as a lab, so it is a very experienced team with great ability.\n\nThere's also the clinical side of Numinus. We are interested delivering excellence in service in regards to psychedelic clinically-assisted psychotherapy, that is evidence-based. We also take the experience from historical traditions (indigenous cultures), and learnings from the underground psychedelic community over the last many decades. Of course, we also look at the best practices from the institutions doing the serious research and clinical trials, which have brought us to where we are today.\n\n**Question: What about ketamine? It is one psychedelic that is currently legal in much of North America. What are your thoughts?**\n\n**Answer:** We're also very interested in ketamine and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy because it's extremely promising. If you look at being a full-service psychedelic clinic network, ketamine can allow us to treat individuals more or less today. \n\nIt could be anxiety or depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Within a clinical setting, we can have very highly skilled therapists and health professionals who can make an appropriate diagnosis. \n\nTherapists can tailor a treatment, which may or may not involve psychedelics, whether that be ketamine today or psilocybin in the near future. This model may involve other mental health and addiction services with a curative intent. We aim to help people, by treating a person holistically, including mindfulness practices. This may also involve psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Ultimately, we are changing the way we look at mental health and addiction within society, to help create better outcomes than what we experience today.\n\n[Watch Dr. Evan Wood](https://www.facebook.com/NuminusInc/videos/362513918349866) talking about psychedelics and the therapeutic potential.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5267175572519085,"src":"/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/ee604/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.png","srcSet":"/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/69585/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.png 200w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/497c6/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.png 400w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/ee604/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.png 800w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/f3583/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.png 1200w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/a39f1/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.png 1406w","srcWebp":"/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/58556/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/61e93/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.webp 200w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/1f5c5/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.webp 400w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/58556/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.webp 800w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/99238/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.webp 1200w,\n/static/a32e0c9bfbdd3de38b403ab8d7527822/8adbf/ddbaeb4c42c4f0f5e414924363f25e8c.webp 1406w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3170-markdown","title":"The Essential Holiday Gift Guide: 4 Experience-Based Gifts to Celebrate the End of 2020","slug":"the-essential-holiday-gift-guide-4-experience-based-gifts-to-celebrate-the-end-of-2020","content":"As the holidays approach, we're entering the gift-giving season. But 2020 has been such an odd year, and it got us talking around the office, the Zoom office, that is. We asked ourselves what kind of gifts would be best for our friends and family? \n\nWe collectively thought it should be something with significance, especially since we may be celebrating at a distance. Our answer is to give experience-based gifts, something that will bring a smile to our loved one's faces and perhaps a lasting positive impact.\n\nWe published [4 Experience-Based Holiday Gift Ideas for An Unusual Holiday Season](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/4-experience-based-holiday-gifts-for-an-unusual-holiday-season), and we follow with some additional ideas to get your holiday gift-giving juices flowing.\n \nHere are 4 more \"Experiential\" celebratory gifts to bring 2020 to a resounding close:\n\n\n\n### 1. Give the Gift of a [Yoga Practice](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-and-yoga-a-match-made-in-heaven)\n\nSince the start of the pandemic, in-person yoga classes have been a thing of the past. If you miss the community vibe of getting your downward dog on, you can get the next best thing. Online yoga classes with a teacher who gets to know you. \n\nIt may not be the same as going to the yoga studio, but some yoga teachers, like [Nat Kendall](https://www.natkendall.com/), have the ability to create connections, busting down the Zoom barrier and create community.\n\nNat is a recording artist (he gets a good chant on in every class) and a devoted student of yoga. He shares his wisdom about yoga in a heartfelt and grounded practice that is accessible for beginners and challenging enough for long-time practitioners. \n\nNat's teachings pour through online practices in an inspired way. He also teaches the necessary techniques for good yogic form with insights that enlighten your spiritual path and yogic journey. \n\n\n\n### 2. Give the Gift of Microdosing: One-on-One Personal Coaching\n\n[Microdosing](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/microdosing) is all the rage for both cannabis and [psychedelics](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/psychedelics). It's the practice of consuming small amounts of a substance in a \"[sub-therapeutic, or sub-threshold](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/microdosing-a-better-way-to-take-cannabis), amounts so low that they wouldn’t produce the whole-body effect of a full dose, but high enough that a cellular response could be observed.\"\n\nNumerous health benefits come from microdosing cannabis or psychedelics. These benefits vary based on the substance. For cannabis, microdosing may help with **chronic pain**, **anxiety**, and **sleep**. With psychedelics, people have anecdotally reported that it helps **alleviate depression** and **anxiety** and may increase the feeling of **focus** and **creativity**. But, if you're new to either, how do you get started? \n\n[We think a personal coach](https://www.bliss-theory.com/) is a good entry point and a safe way to explore unchartered territory.\n\nAt different times, Pamela Hadfield, co-founder of HelloMD, [transformed her physical and mental health](https://www.bliss-theory.com/blog/tales-of-a-suburban-mom-microdosing-cannabis-for-my-migraines-and-then-lsd-for-depression) microdosing cannabis and then psychedelics. She's a well-known educator and advocate for alternative paths of wellness and has been featured in **Rolling Stone** and **Forbes magazine**.\n\nPamela is also the Founder of [Bliss Theory](https://www.bliss-theory.com/) where she offers [one-to-one coaching for women](https://www.bliss-theory.com/whats-bliss-theory). The Bliss Theory coaching philosophy is based on transformational thinking principles and step-by-step personalized guidance on microdosing cannabis and/or psychedelics. \n\n\nChani's best-seller \"You Were Born for This\"\n\n### 3. Give the Gift of a Self Guided Astrological Reading\n\n[Chani Nicholas](https://chaninicholas.com/) is a Los Angeles-based, New York Times best-selling astrologer and author of You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance (HarperOne, January 2020). She is AWESOME, and we love her book, which is the guide to all-things astrological.\n\nOK, here's the cool and the gift-giving part. You can go onto Chani's site and [input the birthdate details of the person](https://chart.chaninicholas.com/) you want to gift-give, and it pulls up all the relevant information for that specific chart. \n\nIn her book, \"Chani shows how your birth chart -- a snapshot of the sky at the moment you took your first breath -- reveals your unique talents, challenges, and opportunities.\" Fun! \n\n\n\n### 4. Give the Gift of Self Knowledge and Growth\n\n[One Commune](https://ww2.onecommune.com/) is the online spot for personal growth. Their online courses feature some of the most enlightened thinkers of our time, including Deepak Chopra, Russell Brand (an amazing thought leader on addiction and recovery), Marianna Williamson, and more. Whether you're looking for spiritual growth, optimal health, or a way to impact the world, there's a fascinating course waiting.\n\nHappy gift-giving from the HelloMD Team!\n\n### Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online\nIt's easy to get your medical marijuana document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/get-started/). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and purchase medical cannabis today. You don't pay unless you're approved!","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/14b42/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/f836f/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.jpg 200w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/2244e/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.jpg 400w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/14b42/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.jpg 800w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/47498/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/2d2b9/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.jpg 1254w","srcWebp":"/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/58556/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/61e93/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.webp 200w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/1f5c5/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.webp 400w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/58556/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.webp 800w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/99238/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.webp 1200w,\n/static/02c6940835d162ce4e59ecc89e84b9c7/3c324/9ed3ef914499f27c5c312e8c541347a1.webp 1254w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3131-markdown","title":"5 Killer Stress-Busting Combos - Popular Cannabis Strains Paired with Vitamins and Herbs","slug":"5-killer-stress-busting-combos-popular-cannabis-strains-paired-with-vitamins-and-herbs","content":"According to the American Psychological Association’s [2020 Stress in America Survey]( https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental-health-crisis.pdf), the US is in the midst of a national mental health crisis. From an intractable pandemic to economic uncertainty and political turmoil, a long list of unprecedented events is adding new stressors to an already stressed-out world. \n\nTo cope with a near-constant barrage of stressors large and small, mental health professionals and wellness advocates [recommend a variety of strategies](https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-symptoms-signs-and-causes.htm#:~:text=Causes%20of%20stress,on%20you%20can%20be%20stressful.) including exercise, meditation, better sleep and a healthy diet. Severe stress, anxiety and depression can also be helped with medications that calm anxiety and boost the uptake of the brain’s natural “feel good” chemicals serotonin and dopamine. \n\nBut a growing body of research suggests that [cannabis can relieve stress and anxiety](https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-and-anxiety)\nwithout the side effects of many medications – and pairing it with stress-relieving supplements like valerian and kava kava might amplify its stress-busting powers. Below we list 5 stress-busting killer combos of popular cannabis strains paired with vitamins and herbs.\n\n### 5 Popular Marijuana Strains Combined with Herbs & Vitamins \n\nAlong with cannabis, a number of [herbs and vitamins](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamins-for-stress)\ncontain ingredients that can help to relieve symptoms of stress, and [many of these supplements](https://takecareof.com/articles/best-vitamins-supplements-for-stress-and-anxiety) can be combined with cannabis for an extra boost of calming chemicals during stressful times. Here’s a list of five cannabis and supplement combinations that can calm stress and relieve anxiety. Mix and match them as you like, since there are no known negative interactions between cannabis and any of these natural substances.\n\n### 1. ACDC and Kava Kava\n\nACDC is a very high CBD strain that has virtually no THC. It’s evenly balanced between indica and sativa, and it’s often used to “take the edge off” experiences that can cause stress or anxiety. Kava Kava derives from the root of the Kava (piper methysticum) plant and contains kavalactone, a substance that interferes with the breakdown of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a chemical that calms activity in the central nervous system and promotes feelings of relaxation and comfort. \n\n### 2. Grandaddy Purple and Rhodolia\n\n[Grandaddy Purple]( https://www.hellomd.com/strains/granddaddy-purple) promotes a relaxed, happy feeling along with relieving insomnia and pain. This high-indica strain is regularly used for easing the symptoms of stress and anxiety. It can be paired with rhodolia (rhodolia rosea), an herb whose roots work as an [adaptogen](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/adaptogens-what-are-they-and-how-to-combine-them-with-cbd) – a substance that boosts the body’s natural responses to \\stress. Wellness advocates say that rhodolia can also help with insomnia, chronic fatigue and stress-related burnout.\n\n### 3. OG Kush and Melatonin\n\nThe venerable [OG Kush](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/og-kush) ranks among the best cannabis strains for stress relief. This high-THC strain causes relaxation and an uplifting euphoria, and it may also help with insomnia, anxiety and migraines. Melatonin is a hormone made naturally in the pineal gland, and it’s typically released after dark to prepare the body for sleep. But melatonin may also relieve symptoms of stress. A recent study found that melatonin could reduce stress and anxiety before surgery as well as the prescription sedative midazolam.\n\n\n### 4. Girl Scout Cookies and Valerian\n\n[Girl Scout Cookies](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/gsc) is a potent indica dominant hybrid strain that may relieve stress, reduce pain and combat symptoms of depression. Valerian (from the root of the Valeriana officinalis plant) has been called “nature’s Valium” for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, and it also supports sleep. Research indicates that, like Kava Kava, it helps to inhibit the breakdown of GABA in the brain. Valerian also contains compounds that seem to inhibit excessive activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear and other strong emotional responses.\n\n\n### 5. Jack Herer and B-Complex Vitamins\n\n[Jack Herer](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/jack-herer) is a classic combination of indica and sativa strains that’s known for its ability to boost concentration and focus, but users also say it helps to reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety. B-Complex vitamins include the full range of 8 B vitamins, which are essential for transforming food into energy and keeping the brain and heart healthy. But B vitamins can also lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with stress that also plays a role in the development of blood clots and artery damage. \n\n### Understanding Stress\n\nStress is often described as the natural “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat of some kind. It’s a protective response that keeps us energized, alert and aware of our surroundings during a crisis, a dangerous situation – or even an exciting, pleasant event like getting married or moving to a new city. The stress response can also help people rise to meet challenges like making a speech, playing a competitive game or studying for a difficult exam. \n\nWhen the brain perceives a threat or recognizes a new challenge, the nervous system releases excitatory hormones including adrenaline (epinephrine), norepinephrine and cortisol. These hormones act on multiple systems throughout the body to prepare it for meeting the threat. The heart beats faster, pumping blood to the muscles, blood pressure rises, and sensory systems become hyper-acute. \n\nUnder normal circumstances, once the stressful event is past, stress levels would decrease and the body would relax and return to a more normal state. But in this modern world, especially one affected by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and multiple other crises, the body’s stress responses may remain in high gear virtually all the time. When stress responses are always “on,” the flood of excitatory hormones can disrupt health in a variety of ways.\n\nChronic stress can exacerbate existing health problems or create new ones such as insomnia, weight loss or gain, digestive problems and “brain fog” or trouble with concentration and memory. High stress levels can accelerate the aging process and raise the risk of heart attack or stroke. Stress can also contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.\n\nA variety of self-care options can help to reduce stress, such as exercising more or trying relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation. Prescription medications such as Prozac, Xanax or Celexa can also help to manage symptoms of stress and anxiety. \n\nBut some research indicates that the relaxing properties of cannabis or cannabis compounds combined with calming [herbal and vitamin supplements](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/5-natural-supplements-to-boost-your-mental-health) can offer relief for many people struggling with chronic stress.\n\n### Cannabis Relieves Stress and Anxiety\n\nOne reason for the enduring popularity of cannabis is its calming, relaxing and lightly euphoric effect. Compounds in the cannabis sativa plant, mainly cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, act on the brain’s neurological pathways to promote the expression of mood-boosting chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and the body’s natural calming cannabinoid anandamide. \n\nA [recent study](https://www.healtheuropa.eu/cannabis-combats-stress/93193/) from Washington State University found that inhaling cannabis could lower stress levels. That’s a key change from previous studies, which used cannabis in pill form in a laboratory setting, rather than exploring the effects of cannabis as it’s normally consumed. \n\nIn this study, researchers found that the largest reduction in stress came from 10 or more puffs of cannabis strains high in both CBD and THC, while just two puffs of any kind of cannabis could reduce symptoms of anxiety.\n\nIt’s important to note that for some people, cannabis can also cause feelings of paranoia and anxiety, particularly when it’s high in THC, the chemical responsible for the euphoric high. But the Washington State study provides solid scientific support for the stress relieving benefits of [certain kinds of cannabis](https://topscannabis.com/6-of-the-best-weed-strains-for-stress-anxiety/).\n\n\nStress affects just about everyone, although in very different ways. But the “killer combo” of the most relaxing cannabis strains and supplements can give stressed-out people a new and natural way to cope.\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/ee604/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.png","srcSet":"/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/69585/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.png 200w,\n/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/497c6/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.png 400w,\n/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/ee604/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.png 800w,\n/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/f3583/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/58556/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/61e93/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.webp 200w,\n/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/1f5c5/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.webp 400w,\n/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/58556/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.webp 800w,\n/static/dba6481db20bf5fdd73c77f61d618bfc/99238/9dc05d4f2c5901a43ac125af873a7cf7.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3108-markdown","title":"Why Interrupting the Default Mode Network with Psychedelics is Good for Mental Health","slug":"why-interrupting-the-default-mode-network-with-psychedelics-is-good-for-mental-health","content":"If you've been paying attention to recent news on psychedelics, you've probably heard the term default mode network (DMN). Or, perhaps you've read Michael Pollan's book, [How to Change Your Mind](https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Mind-Consciousness-Transcendence/dp/1594204225), where he details his before and after experiences with numerous psychedelic trips. In his book, he discusses how psychedelics quiet the DMN, allowing people to experience temporary deaths of the ego and form new insights and perspectives. \n\nIt turns out, when the DMN is interrupted, new channels and pathways within the brain form. New research indicates that psychedelics may be a revolutionary disruptor in the field of mental healthcare, partially because of how they affect the DMN.\n\n### What's the Default Mode Network? \n\nIn 2001, Dr. Marcus Raichle coined the term \"default mode\" to describe the state when our brains are at rest. The default mode describes an activity within the brain when it's not engaged in an active task, such as solving a math problem or learning a new job. The default mode is often associated with activities such as daydreaming, self-reflection, worrying about the past, or feeling anxiety about the future. The DMN is also where we create the picture ourselves, or our autobiographical self. The DMN is central to the story we tell ourselves about who we are and where we want to go.\n\nThe default mode network is an interconnected series of structures within our brain. There is some debate as to which parts of the brain to include. Generally, there is consensus that the prefrontal cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex, and the inferior parietal lobule are included.\n\nfMRI scans indicate that when our brains are resting, or we're \"thinking\" without a specific goal in mind, the DMN regions of the brain show higher levels of activity and blood flow. New research shows that increased activity within the DMN is linked to mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Changes in the DMN, whether it is too much activity or too little, have also been linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, autism, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.\n\nThe DMN also allows us to perform repetitive tasks and actions without thinking much about them. For instance, many of us may have the experience of driving home, but not remembering it, yet we get back safely anyway. It turns out that rote memory is much easier than conscious thinking, and 46.9% of the time, we are turning ourselves on autopilot, which is regulated by the DMN. \n\nWhile in this frame of mind, it may feel like you are doing something instinctually, and your brain no longer needs to focus. For this reason, whenever possible, the adult brain will try to switch over to save energy. The stories we tell ourselves, a multitude of actions we perform and much of our daily existence is controlled by a network in the brain on autopilot - which may or may not work in our favor.\n\n\nCourtesy of Double Bling Magazine [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/CVv2BSyANZW/)\n\n### Psychedelics: Interrupting the Default Mode Network\n\nIt's believed that the over-activity within the DMN, and its grip on our conscious and unconscious actions, play a central role in mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety. Studies indicate that when activity is decreased, which is the case when psychedelics are administered, a depressed or anxious person will often feel a sense of relief, as well as an increased sense of connection; often for several months.\n\nScientific interest in studying psychedelics runs in parallel with the desire to treat intractable mental health disorders. In 2016, [The Journal of Psychopharmacology](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0269881116675513) researchers stated, \"High-dose psilocybin produced large decreases in clinician- and self-rated measures of depressed mood and anxiety, along with increases in quality of life, life meaning, and optimism.\" \n\n[Another study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27210031) found that when psilocybin was administered to patients with treatment-resistant depression, \"depressive symptoms were markedly reduced 1 week and 3 months after high-dose treatment.\"\n\nA new [Brazilian study](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/rapid-antidepressant-effects-of-the-psychedelic-ayahuasca-in-treatmentresistant-depression-a-randomized-placebocontrolled-trial/E67A8A4BBE4F5F14DE8552DB9A0CBC97) looked at rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression. The study concluded that \"significant antidepressant effects of ayahuasca, when compared with placebo at all time, points… and brings new evidence supporting the safety and therapeutic value of ayahuasca, dosed within an appropriate setting, to help treat depression.\"\n\nResearchers agree that the resetting of the DMN may play a significant role in reducing mental disorder symptoms. A study by the Imperial College of London tracked experiential responses within 20 participants while consuming LSD. Brain scans indicated that while under the influence, separate portions of the brain made new connections with one another while the DMN was mainly in sleep mode. \n\nBut how does this happen?\n\n### Psychedelics: Effects on the Human Brain\n\nPsychedelics, such as psilocybin, LSD, and DMT (ayahuasca) act as serotonin receptor agonists. When you consume a psychedelic, such as magic mushrooms, the active ingredient psilocin creates the psychedelic \"trip\" we experience.\n\nSeratonin receptor agonists do not harm the brain; they naturally bind with the serotonin receptors within our minds. Psilocin, for instance, is a replica of the serotonin molecule we produce. It does not harm the receptor and is a copy of serotonin, which is often called 'the happy chemical', as it contributes to our sense of well-being.\n\nOnce the serotonin agonist binds to our serotonin receptors, something remarkable happens. [A 2012 study](https://www.pnas.org/content/109/6/2138.abstract) at the Imperial College of Medicine found that after psilocybin was administered, blood flow decreased to the DMN interrupting normal activities. When this occurs, neuroplasticity within the brain begins.\n\nAs the DMN's capacity diminishes, normal signals within the brain are not able to run down the same neural networks. As a result, the brain automatically creates new neural pathways and alternative ways to exchange information. \n\nResearchers from [a 2014 follow on study](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyAgx_tzh80&feature=youtu.be) observed when the DMN is suppressed by psychedelics, the overall communication of neurons within the brain is wildly enhanced. New connections are made across the brain, essentially creating \"cross-talk,\" which is usually unavailable to us. The long-range effect is that separate areas of the brain connect and process information differently. fMRI scans show that brains under the influence of certain psychedelics resemble the minds of people who have active meditation practices.\n\nWhen we switch off the DMN, we unlock new potential within the brain. Some liken psychedelics to a \"reset button,\" allowing us to return to a more childlike mindset, and to see the world in a new way. It's believed that the brain's capacity to reset itself and create new forms of communication in lieu of the DMN, is one of the primary reasons psychedelics may be a solution for so many treatment-resistant mental health disorders.\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/14b42/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/f836f/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg 200w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/2244e/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg 400w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/14b42/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg 800w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/47498/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/0e329/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg 1600w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/6a059/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.jpg 6000w","srcWebp":"/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/58556/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/61e93/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp 200w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/1f5c5/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp 400w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/58556/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp 800w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/99238/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp 1200w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/7c22d/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp 1600w,\n/static/2b54e75554d40188a1827e39523e7755/3041e/e65270ca336598e9cad372c11be4f9a5.webp 6000w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3080-markdown","title":"Meet HelloMD’s New Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patricia Frye","slug":"meet-hellomds-new-chief-medical-officer-dr-patricia-frye","content":"Dr. Patricia Frye has been a practicing cannabis physician for four years—in fact, she was the first doctor HelloMD hired to consult with patients online. Today, she’s HelloMD’s chief medical officer and a regular on our Ask a Doctor livestream series, where she answers audience questions about cannabis every week. \n\nBesides being a part of the HelloMD family, Dr. Frye runs her own thriving cannabis practice in Maryland. And on top of that, she’s recently released a book, “[The Medical Marijuana Guide](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCMNCFQ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1),” which draws on her clinical experiences in cannabis medicine. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nWe caught up with Dr. Frye one afternoon to learn more about her background, practice and how she translated her work recommending cannabis into her first book. \n\n### Tell me a little bit about your background. Where did you go to medical school and what kind of medicine did you practice before you got into cannabis? \n\nI went to medical school at University of Maryland, and I graduated from there and then stayed and did a pediatric residency; I'm board certified in pediatrics. And when I finished at Maryland, I moved to Texas, and then I went to Baylor where I studied anesthesiology. \n\nMy goal was to do pediatric intensive care or acute care. But in Houston you really couldn't do just pediatrics, so we ended up moving to southern California. And at that time, I had a young son who was having some difficulties.\n\nSo that type of scheduling really didn't work out, and I ended up back in general pediatrics. And I did that for a number of years, [working with] school and behavior problems as well as taking care of sick kids. And when I was almost retired, I came back to Virginia. \n\nThen in 2015, I got a job with HelloMD, and that was actually my first introduction to cannabis. I never really had any involvement with it—never even thought about it really—the whole time I was in California. So, it was after I got back to the east coast that I was introduced to it.\n\n### And what surprised you most about cannabis once you started to familiarize yourself with the plant? \n\nWhat surprised me the most is that you can use it and not be impaired. I didn't realize that you could use it that way—I learned that from my elderly California patients. And then it surprised me as to how effective it was, and how helpful it was for a lot of patients.\n\n### Did you have any experience in alternative medicine before working with cannabis? \n\nWell, I'm an allopath—I liked doing procedures and using medication and intensive care. I wasn't really on the alternative path, because I worked for Kaiser [Permanente], and so there wasn't really a lot of opportunities to kind of dabble with that.\n\nBut during the time that I was at Kaiser, I saw a lot of school and behavior problems, and I ended up being one of three pediatricians who saw the autistic patients in Orange County. So that was kind of a soft introduction to some alternative things.\n\nAt the time, people were kind of experimenting with gastrin, which is a digestive enzyme, for autism. And I wasn't really on the big alternative bandwagon, but there was one family who had a son who was nonverbal—very limited, a lot of restrictive behaviors—and they wanted to try the gastrin. \n\nSo, I talked with my medical director and first, my department chairman, I got the OK to use it. I gave him about two or three infusions, and low and behold, it really changed a lot for him. He started talking; he started eating things; and so, I saw a big dramatic improvement. \n\nHis response was so dramatic and so impressive that when I was introduced to cannabis, I think because of that experience, I was a little more open-minded to it than I might've been otherwise.\n\n### Given that you come from an allopathic background, what do your previous colleagues say about the work that you do now with cannabis? \n\nI don't see any of my old colleagues from California much, but I do interact with some pediatric colleagues here locally that I trained with in Baltimore. One of them sends me patients and the other one became a patient. I have other classmates who are medical directors of big internal medicine practices, and I've gone and talked [at their practices], and they send me patients.\n\n### So, it seems like the kind of work you do in the cannabis space is pretty well accepted. Can you talk about the work do you with cannabis outside of HelloMD? \n\nI've lectured quite a bit in the area. I've spoken at two of the medical schools and about three or four hospitals in the area. I do continuing medical education for nurse practitioners and for physicians on cannabis.\n\nBy doing this, I've developed quite a referral base from other doctors. I get a lot of referrals from mental health providers, from psychiatrists. There are about six psychiatrists that send patients to me. \n\nI get referrals from Children's National Medical Center, from their pediatric neurologist. Now that Epidiolex is available, I don't get as many, but for a while I got a steady stream of neurology and some oncology patients. I've done hospital visits in the area for children with cancer, where they're not doing well, and we get them on cannabis at least to try to help them feel better.\n\nI get a good number of patients from Johns Hopkins, from the pediatric gastroenterology [division]; I see a lot of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis [patients]. So, I have a fairly good reputation here locally.\n\nI write out treatment plans for these patients, and what I think they should use and what things to avoid or what to try next. It's turned into a very rewarding practice. \n\n### A lot of your book is based on your clinical experience with cannabis. Have you noticed a pattern in the types of conditions that tend to respond best to cannabis? What about conditions or patients that respond the worst?\n\nDefinitely mental health and GI [patients] respond very well. I see a lot of [people with] inflammatory pain, a lot of neuropathic pain. \n\nThe patients I see are generally fairly sick or nothing is working for them or they've experienced a lot of adverse effects from pharmaceuticals. I see a few trickling in that are mainly functional medicine type patients, where nobody can figure out what's wrong. They usually have a lot of pain. I think some of those are autoimmune. I've seen some really good results from autoimmune patients. \n\nThese patients are generally fairly sick or fairly debilitated. And so, for most patients, I do see pretty decent improvement. About 40% are chronic pain. Most of the patients I see are cannabis naive. \n\nI find that some of the patients who do the worst are the older Caucasian women, and they tend to be small. For some reason they say they’re very excruciatingly sensitive to THC—those are the ones who’ve been the hardest to get comfortable, because it seems like they'll just take one drop [of THC] and they're on the floor. \n\nBut the mental health patients seem to respond really well. Chronic pain in general tends to respond really well. I have a good response with autism. Those patients seem to improve, and I would say the seizures are the ones that are kind of hit or miss. Sometimes I'll switch them from CBD to THCA or microdose with THC. \n\nAutism patients tend to do well with CBD. Sometimes we'll add a little bit of THC or THCA and that sometimes can help. Now they're doing studies with CBDV—but it's not really available yet. \n\nI have a fair number of cancer patients who are using cannabis either as an adjunct to their conventional therapy or conventional therapy isn’t helping. I'm not overly impressed with it, but I do have a couple of patients where their tumors have resolved. But considering all of the patients that I've seen, cannabis isn’t as effective as I would hope it would be. Some of that also has to do with product availability in this area. \n\n### Let’s take a few minutes to talk about your book. Who did you have in mind as the audience when you were writing a guide on cannabis? \n\nMy goal was to make it simple enough that most people could understand it, but to have enough interesting science in it so that other providers could read it, understand it, and then maybe open their minds to using cannabis for their patients.\n\n### How's your book different from some of the other cannabis books that are out there?\n\nMost of the other cannabis books are written by nonclinical people, people who aren’t doctors. There are few out there—[Dr.] Bonnie Goldstein's book came out right after I had signed a contract for this book—but most of the other books are mostly written by scientists like [Roger] Pertwee and [Ethan] Russo.\n\nA lot of [these books] are by multiple authors. And a lot of them don't do clinical medicine. I think really of the clinicians that I would say I have a lot of respect for, I think Bonnie Goldstein’s [book] is really the only other one [that’s similar]. \n\n### Is there anything that got left out of your cannabis guidebook that you wish you could’ve included? \n\nSince [the book] has come out, there've been a lot of changes [in the cannabis space]. I almost feel like there should be a second edition. I almost feel like it's going to need to be updated maybe in another year—now with Epidiolex, with the studies that have come out in Israel with autism, new states that are now on board with legalized cannabis, and state regulations have shifted and changed. \n\nIf anything, maybe it would've been fun to put more history. I really think the history of cannabis as a medicine is pretty fascinating. But I’m actually pretty satisfied with what got covered. \n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana/) index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, [ask them](https://www.hellomd.com/) and our community will answer.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/14b42/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/f836f/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.jpg 200w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/2244e/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.jpg 400w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/14b42/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.jpg 800w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/47498/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.jpg 1200w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/acffd/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.jpg 1435w","srcWebp":"/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/58556/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/61e93/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.webp 200w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/1f5c5/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.webp 400w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/58556/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.webp 800w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/99238/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.webp 1200w,\n/static/8b8a9a79af0254a13db11c3bb8e04e41/0a0ac/2e668269dc77f1e90bd1c0991dab006d.webp 1435w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3018-markdown","title":"How CBD Can Improve Your Emotional Well-Being","slug":"how-cbd-can-improve-your-emotional-well-being","content":"Peace of mind is something we all want, but it eludes many of us. The statistics themselves are, quite frankly, depressing: One in five American adults struggles with some form of mental illness. \n\nAnxiety and depression—two common mental health disorders—can greatly damage the state of our physical and emotional well-being. The World Health Organization ranks [depression as the single largest cause of disability worldwide](https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254610/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf;jsessionid=DC8F3A8204A9DFAE7A9F944BA2D9BCCE?sequence=1), while anxiety disorders are ranked sixth.\n\nEven low-level depression and anxiety can leave us nominally functioning, while still taking a toll even if no one else sees it.\n\nWhile more stringent research needs to be done, there’s growing evidence suggesting that cannabidiol (CBD) can play an effective role in addressing mental health issues, such as:\n\n* Depression\n* Anxiety\n* Stress\n* PTSD\n* Feelings of isolation\n* Mood swings \n* Psychosis\n\n### Traditional Treatments for Anxiety & Depression\n\nDoctors often prescribe pharmaceutical drugs to treat anxiety and depression. These drugs can carry side effects, including:\n\n* Drowsiness\n* Agitation\n* Insomnia\n* Sexual dysfunction\n* Headaches\n \nAnd these medications, such as benzodiazepines, can also be addictive and may lead to serious substance abuse issues. This is why so many people are now looking for a more natural approach to addressing their mental health issues and improving their emotional well-being. \n\nEnter CBD. \n\n### CBD Helps Retain Our Bliss Molecules\n\nAn article in _Psychology Today_ by naturopathic doctor Peter Bongiorno points out that CBD oil, which doesn’t make consumers feel high like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can, is a natural, plant-based oil laden with cannabinoids.\n\nSome cannabinoids, called phytocannabinoids, come from plants. Meanwhile, our bodies naturally produce other cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids.\n\nHe explains, “[[Endo]cannabinoids are ‘feel good’ molecules naturally made by the body](https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too) when we are feeling relaxed and secure or involved in something that makes us happy, like hugging someone we care about or sitting down to a meal we are looking forward to. \n\n“Cannabinoids are also released when we sleep well and exercise. Cannabinoids bind to little docking stations in our bodies called cannabinoid receptors that help stimulate those feel good responses. Discovered in 1992, the main cannabinoid molecule is called anandamide, which is translated from the Sanskrit as ‘bliss molecule.’”\n\nCannabinoids play a strong role in keeping our bodies balanced. Research suggests that CBD helps prevent the breakdown of anandamide in our bodies, leaving us with more of the bliss molecule and, as a result, feeling happier.\n\n### Animal Studies Show CBD May Have Antidepressant Properties\n\nThe Depression Alliance explains that when cannabinoids bind to certain receptors, they can boost the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s been shown to uplift mood and reduce stress levels. [CBD specifically has been shown to amplify serotonin’s effects](https://www.depressionalliance.org/cbd-oil/), because it boosts the activity of the receptors that serotonin binds to. \n\nRELATED: [HOW CBD CAN RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION](https://hellomd.com/articles/how-cbd-can-relieve-symptoms-of-depression/)\n\nResearch from 2014 indicates that [CBD interacts positively with serotonin receptors in the brain](https://cbd-b.be/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2014-Antidepressant-Like-and-Anxiolytic-Like-Effects-of-Cannabidiol.pdf), helping keep serotonin levels balanced— an important therapy for people suffering from depression.\n\nAnother study, this one from 2018, suggests that [CBD holds promise as a quick-acting antidepressant](https://www.drperlmutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/CBD-BDNF.pdf). The study also found that CBD produced long-lasting anti-depressant effects. \n\nHowever, it should be noted that these are both animal studies, and so we really need human trials to verify their findings.\n\n### Human Studies Confirm CBD Can Help Ease Anxiety\n\nThere are human studies showing that CBD may be useful in treating panic disorders, which affect about 5% of the world’s population. Panic disorders are characterized by sudden, recurring panic attacks. _Medical News Today_ points out that [a 2017 review found “positive results” for the benefits of CBD in helping with anxiety issues](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324846.php). \n\nOne study in the review showed that “a single dose of 300 mg of CBD caused a notable decrease in anxiety levels after a simulated public speaking test.” Meanwhile, another study found that “600 mg of CBD caused a significant reduction of anxiety measures in people with social anxiety disorder.” It should be noted that these amounts of CBD are well over a typical single dose of the cannabinoid. \n\n### CBD Can Be Part of a Balanced Approach to Coping With Mental Health Issues\n\nWhile CBD shows promise in helping us achieve emotional well-being, Peter Bongiorno in _Psychology Today_ reminds us that it isn’t a cure-all but an important tool in a well-balanced approach: \n\n“I always recommend not simply taking supplements for anxiety, but making dietary and lifestyle changes, and adopting stress-relieving rituals and therapies to bring full healing to your body. Also, visit with your doctor on a regular basis or when issues pop up. While CBD is a very good supplement, I find its power is enhanced when combined with natural modifications.”\n\nPhoto credit: Peera_stockfoto/Shutterstock.com\n\nWant to try CBD, but don’t know where to start? [Shop our selection of high-quality, lab-tested CBD products](https://hellomd.com/) and have them shipped to your door. And if you have questions about CBD, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/14b42/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/f836f/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg 200w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/2244e/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg 400w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/14b42/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg 800w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/47498/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/0e329/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg 1600w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/ffa36/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.jpg 1773w","srcWebp":"/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/58556/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/61e93/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp 200w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/1f5c5/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp 400w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/58556/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp 800w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/99238/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp 1200w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/7c22d/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp 1600w,\n/static/63020423980899d6d6f847accccccb18/d1528/3a0b7d06d467d06f71c57b92bd7605c1.webp 1773w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2997-markdown","title":"Does Cannabis Really Cause Psychosis?","slug":"does-cannabis-really-cause-psychosis","content":"You may have read about a [study that seemed to make an alarming link between cannabis and psychosis](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-03661930048-3/fulltext). The study claimed that in some cities, 30–50% of first-episode psychosis could be prevented if people didn’t have access to highly potent cannabis.\n\nThese are scary numbers. And plenty of media outlets picked up the story with reefer madness-like headlines of scientists finally proving that cannabis causes psychosis.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nWell, don’t write off cannabis. While the study is important, its findings are far more complicated than the headlines suggest. And let’s be clear: If you’re consuming cannabis, you’re not likely to suffer from psychosis as a result.\n\nLet’s take a look at this issue, and find out what all of the controversy is about.\n\n### Study Finds a Correlation Between Marijuana & Psychosis\n\nThe study that’s been causing so much controversy analyzed data from 901 patients across 11 cities in Europe and Brazil. These folks were admitted to psychiatric services with first-episode psychosis between May 2010 and April 2015. Researchers compared this population to a control group of about 1,200 people from the same cities, and asked each group about their habits, including their marijuana consumption.\n\nWhat the study found was a correlation between cannabis consumption and psychosis. The researchers discovered that those who consumed cannabis daily were three times more likely to develop psychosis.\n\nMeanwhile, those who smoked high-potency cannabis—which the researchers defined as marijuana containing at least 10% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—were twice as likely to develop psychosis. This rate went up to four times as likely for those who smoked high-potency cannabis daily.\n\nIn cities where high-potency cannabis was most widely available, such as London and Amsterdam, researchers also found higher rates of psychosis. Using statistical analysis, they went so far as to say that if high-potency cannabis weren’t available in these cities, then the number of first-episode psychosis cases would drop by about 30% in London and 50% in Amsterdam.\n\nThey also estimated that across all 11 cities, about 12% of psychosis cases could be prevented if high-potency cannabis wasn’t available.\n\n### Does This Study Prove That Cannabis Causes Psychosis? The Answer Is No\n\nThese findings sound pretty damning, and of course, they need to be taken seriously. However, they also need to be taken with a large grain of salt.\n\nWhat the study proves is that there’s a correlation between marijuana consumption and psychosis.\n\nBut it in no way proves that cannabis causes psychosis. \n\nThis distinction is key, as other factors could also show that people who are predisposed to psychosis are also more likely to consume cannabis. There are several common factors that could help explain both an elevated risk of psychosis and a tendency towards heavy cannabis consumption, like:\n\n* Diet\n* Lifestyle factors\n* Genetics\n* Upbringing\n\nFor example, a separate study found that [people with schizophrenia are more likely to take cannabis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5753881/). This is because frequent cannabis consumers and people with schizophrenia have a genetic overlap. This genetic overlap increases the likelihood of schizophrenia and the likelihood of cannabis consumption.\n\nBut what it doesn’t do is show that taking cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia. \n\nRELATED: [DOES CANNABIS HELP IMPROVE SCHIZOPHRENIA SYMPTOMS?](https://hellomd.com/articles/does-cannabis-help-improve-schizophrenia-symptoms/)\n\nTo show causation requires much more extensive research. As psychiatrist and addiction researcher at Columbia University, Dr. Diana Martinez, flatly states, “[You can’t say that cannabis causes psychosis. It’s simply not supported by the data](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/19/704948217/daily-marijuana-use-and-highly-potent-weed-linked-to-psychosis).”\n\nDetermining whether cannabis causes psychosis would require:\n\n* Following participants over time\n* Collecting genetic information\n* Ideally, comparing twins\n\nPsychosis is extremely complicated, and saying that cannabis causes it isn’t a claim that’s backed up by the evidence.\n\nAnother limitation with the study is that it focused on people who were daily consumers of high-potency cannabis. In fact, most studies that have found a link between the plant and psychosis have focused on this group of cannabis consumers. \n\nBut daily cannabis consumers aren’t representative of those who partake in the plant overall. In fact, people who smoke cannabis daily make up only a fraction of overall cannabis consumers. \n\nAnd again, it should be stressed that people more likely to suffer from psychosis may also be more prone to being daily cannabis consumers. Saying that one causes the other is a conclusion that the data just don’t support.\n\n### The Medical Benefits of Marijuana in Relieving Issues Accompanying Psychosis\n\nAnother issue that can get overlooked when a study links cannabis to psychosis is that marijuana also has a number of proven medical benefits. One reason that people who suffer from psychosis may be more likely to consume cannabis is because they may simply be using cannabis as a form of self-treatment. \n\nResearch has shown that marijuana can relieve many unpleasant disorders or problems, including insomnia, stress and depression—all things that people with psychosis are already at a higher risk of suffering from. (This isn’t to say that if you do suffer from psychosis, you should self-medicate with cannabis.)\n\nRELATED: [3 POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA & STRESS ANSWERED](https://hellomd.com/articles/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-stress-answered/)\n\nCannabis is certainly not a wonder drug that will cure every ailment. Like anything, it has side effects, and it may not be suitable for everyone. \n\nResearch pointing to a correlation between cannabis and psychosis is important. And more research is needed to understand what that link is.\n\nBut using this correlation to prohibit marijuana consumption—or keep the stigma around the plant alive—makes no sense. [Alcohol abuse has been shown to cause psychosis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459134/), but few people are arguing that we need to ban alcohol or at the very least, stop drinking it.\n\nRELATED: [CAN CANNABIS BE A HEALTHIER SUBSTITUTE FOR ALCOHOL?](https://hellomd.com/articles/can-cannabis-be-a-healthier-substitute-for-alcohol/)\n\nInstead, we should try to keep things in perspective. As of yet, there’s little evidence that cannabis actually causes psychosis. Instead, there’s evidence that it has helped many people find relief from the symptoms that can accompany psychosis. \n\nPhoto credit: Fure/Shutterstock.com\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana/) index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/14b42/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg","srcSet":"/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/f836f/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg 200w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/2244e/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg 400w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/14b42/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg 800w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/47498/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg 1200w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/0e329/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg 1600w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/ffa36/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.jpg 1773w","srcWebp":"/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/58556/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/61e93/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp 200w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/1f5c5/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp 400w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/58556/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp 800w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/99238/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp 1200w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/7c22d/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp 1600w,\n/static/cea71f1cf9457729803d3c7d218535b9/d1528/b04bf226e46ff74b99e4c14e811e9238.webp 1773w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1881-markdown","title":"Depression Sufferers Find Relief in Medical Marijuana","slug":"depression-sufferers-find-relief-in-medical-marijuana","content":"Nearly 400 years ago, Robert Burton recommended the use of cannabis to\ntreat depression in his book \"The Anatomy of Melancholy.\" Although much\nof what Burton wrote can be disregarded -- for example, he claimed that\nspirits, witches, stars and magicians cause depression -- research is\nnow supporting his treatment recommendation.\n\nDepression Facts\n----------------\n\nDepression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the\nworld. The [World Health Organization\n(WHO)](http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/) estimates\nthat 350 million people worldwide are affected by depression. In the\nUnited States, approximately [16 million\nadults](http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/major-depression-among-adults.shtml),\nor about 6.9 percent of the population, have at least one major\ndepressive episode each year.\n\nAccording to the\n[WHO](http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs369/en/), depression\nresults from \"a complex interaction of social, psychological and\nbiological factors.\" Risk factors include:\n\n- Family history\n- Physical illness\n- [Chronic\n stress](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55a41e233832300006640000/cannabis-can-relieve-stress)\\\n- History of other mental disorders\n- Alcohol or substance abuse\n- Major life changes (giving birth, job loss, family death)\n- Environmental factors, such as abusive childhood and poverty\n\nThe Depressed Brain\n-------------------\n\nPatients with major depression and bipolar disorder have been found to\nhave [structural\nchanges](http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1107416&resultClick=3)\nin areas of their brains that control mood and memory, including the\nhippocampus, the thymus and the amygdala. In depressed patients for\nexample, the hippocampus is smaller and the number of nerve cells are\nreduced.\n\n[Neurotransmitters](http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/18494537),\nchemicals that relay messages between nerve cells, may also be affected\nby depression. This is the theory behind most anti-depressive\nmedications today. For instance, low levels of serotonin, which helps\nregulate mood, sleep and appetite, have been linked to\n[suicide](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1990.tb16903.x/abstract;jsessionid=45DD265BC98A4193388535C5182BADE9.f01t03).\nSelective [serotonin uptake\ninhibitors](http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm283587.htm),\nsuch as Paxil® and Zoloft®, help replace the missing serotonin.\n\nDepression and Endocannabinoids\n-------------------------------\n\nThe endocannabinoid system in the body produces chemicals that are\ninvolved in appetite, pain sensation, memory and mood, among other\nthings. A recent\n[study](http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/44/14560.full.pdf+html)\nfound that chronic stress reduces endocannabinoid production. This\nfinding suggests that tetrahydrocannabinol in medical marijuana may help\ncombat depression, caused by chronic stress, by supplementing lacking\nendocannabinoids.\n\nMarijuana Use and Depression\n----------------------------\n\nThere has been some\n[speculation](http://www.jstor.org/stable/2676359?seq=1# page_scan_tab_contents)\nthat recreational marijuana is linked to depression, but researchers are\nnow finding this may be related more to the state of the user prior to\ntaking marijuana than to its actual use. In a [large\nstudy](http://www.marijuanaknowledge.info/mjknow/treatment.php?name=Depression&treatment=depression)\nof 4400 respondents, researchers found that occasional and chronic users\nof marijuana reported less depression than those who had never used the\ndrug.\n\nWhile Burton may have gotten his science wrong with regard to the causes\nof depression, his anecdotal evidence of the effects of cannabis on\ndepression are now proving valid.\n\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/40933543@N00/2305701220)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5384615384615385,"src":"/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/14b42/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/f836f/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.jpg 200w,\n/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/2244e/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.jpg 400w,\n/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/14b42/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.jpg 800w,\n/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/16310/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/58556/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/61e93/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.webp 200w,\n/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/1f5c5/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.webp 400w,\n/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/58556/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.webp 800w,\n/static/64127c5405d7da59437023ffaf278ffc/cc834/ba060ed563832d27420798a02bafb95e.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5504,"name":"Mental Disorders","slug":"mental-disorders","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}