Saturday, May 21, 2011 -

    New Research Into Cannabis And Mental Health

    Will Gibson, University Of Reading

    Will Gibson is studying psychology at the University of Reading.  He is researching the neurological effects of cannabis consumption under the supervision of Dr Ben Whalley, Dr Claire Williams and Dr Gary Stephens.

    Cannabinoids And Mental Health – A Fresh Perspective

    Whilst the national media repeatedly warn about the dangers of cannabis consumption, particularly to those with pre-existing mental illness, a large number of patients with mental health issues continue to smoke the substance for recreation as well as a form of self-medication. Despite many negative presentations of cannabis in the British media, the worldwide scientific community and pharmaceutical industry are beginning to take a serious interest in the development of medicines based on the psychoactive chemicals, known as cannabinoids, contained in the plant.

    The importance of good mental health is steadily increasing as a public priority; this is being reflected in an increase in prescriptions for modern anti-depressants, in particular selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).  Recent figures from Primary Care Trusts (PCT) show the number of prescriptions for products like SSRIs  have been increasing progressively since their release on the market.

    Several suggestions have been made to explain this  increase, including reports from the BBC that it may be due to the economic recession: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12986314

    An article from Moore et al (2010) in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reports an increase in the numbers of prescriptions for SSRIs. It highlights the fact that many of the patients receiving a prescription for SSRI’s were doing so as part of the treatment programme for pre-existing mental health conditions and argues therefore that these figures are more of reflection in a shift of prescribing behaviour as opposed to an increase in the prevalence of mental illness.

    It is increasingly common for prescribers to provide patients with SSRIs and other anti-depressant medications such bupropion hydrochloride for conditions other than their traditional indications. Such indications include; stopping smoking, anorexia, anxiety disorders, personality disorders as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hormonal problems.

    Regardless of whether there has been an increase in the actual prevalence of affective disorders such as depression it is clear that mental illness has a significant impact on society. The mental health charity “Mind” reports that at any one time 1 in 4 people in the UK will be suffering from a mental health condition. One in six people currently employed in the UK are suffering from depression and the impact on the economy is estimated at£26 billion per annum (Mind.org 2011).

    Prescriptions for antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications) and hypnotics (used for sleep disorders) are extremely costly to the tax payer. (Ref PCTs and NHS/NDFS) Furthermore, despite overwhelming support for the effectiveness of SSRIs from British prescribers the effectiveness of these drugs is a matter of continuous debate. Fournier et al (2010) conducted a meta-analysis of data collected from previous studies into these medicines and found that with mild depression scores many SSRIs are only moderately more effective than placebos.

    So could cannabis and/or individual cannabinoids offer a more effective alternative?

    Neuroscientists at the University of Reading have been studying the potential medical uses of cannabinoids for nearly a decade.  So far this research has mainly focused on the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids for patients suffering from epilepsy and eating disorders.  However, plans have now been approved to research the psychological effects of various isolated cannabinoids.  GW Pharmaceuticals, which will be supplying the research materials, already has established specialist research centres dedicated to breeding cannabis plants to contain artificially high levels of certain cannabinoids and our lab will be examining the psychological effects of specific cannabinoids. Whilst there is a wealth of research into the psychological effects of the cannabis plant as a whole, we feel there is not enough information on the effect of individual cannabinoids.

    Dr Ben Whalley, Dr Claire Williams, Dr Gary Stephens

    The cannabinoids that this research will focus on include but are not limited to: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinol, cannabigerol, tetrahydrocannabivarin and cannabichromene.  Previous research into these and other cannabinoids suggest that isolated cannabinoids may have a diverse range of medical indications.  Such potential usages include prescribing certain compounds as anxiolytics, anti-depressants and sedatives. We hope to begin lab testing in June 2011 and publish results summer 2012.

    Meanwhile we  are keen to hear of your experience of using cannabis therapeutically for mental health concerns or diagnosed conditions. If you are interested in contributing to this research please add a comment below.

    Disclaimer: This research is essentially preliminary, all compounds are being tested on laboratory rats.  Any findings would have to be replicated in humans before they could be utilised in a medical or political decision. Please do not attempt to replicate any of our trials without Home Office approval, possession of isolated cannabinoids is regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

    References

    Increase in proportion of patients on long-term medication accounts for increase in antidepressant prescribing in UK. Evidence Based MentalHealth, 13(2):61, May 2010.

    Jay C. Fournier, Robert J. DeRubeis, Steven D. Hollon, Sona Dimidjian, Jay D. Amsterdam, Richard C. Shelton, and Jan Fawcett. Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(1):47–53, January 2010.

    Michael Moore, Ho M. Yuen, Nick Dunn, Mark A. Mullee, Joe Maskell and Tony Kendrick. Explaining the rise in antidepressant prescribing: a descriptive study using the general practice research database. BMJ, 339, January 2009.

    Primary Care Trust Prescribing Data: October – December 2010 (released May 2011)

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    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=659717857 Julian Pursell

       Yes! We need research into Cannabis For Autism ASAP! Feel free to recruit via ‘Cannabis for Autism’ on Facebook or ‘Autism Mothers’ on Face Book.

      We urgently need this research to be done as a matter of the highest priority please!

    • http://www.facebook.com/CommunityCriminal John Ellis

      been using it in place of max dose of most of the list of anti depressants for about 5 years solid now average about a gram a day. the main problem i come across in using cannabis is some times the cannabis i source does not have the right amounts of whatever usualy CBD although i suspect many of the other cannabinoids. I gave up AD’s mostly because of the different side effects across the ECSN. from collapse of my immune system in my mouth bleeding from veins into the skin sexual disfunctions memory loss. From what ive come to understand about AD’s they themselves are just manipulating the ECSN prozac’ makes CB receptors SSRI’ lower AEA lvls. Cannabis seems to fix many of these innitial problems makes the CB’s feeds the CBs and raises the levels of AEA and AG2 be it with plant cannabinoids THC/v and CBD and not synthetic salts.
      the last 5 years have been amongst the most peacefull of the 30 years ive suffered.
      Hope things go well with this line of research as I know from personal experiance that cannabinoids work and outclass AD’s

    • Photopro_1

      Replaced bipolar pharmaceutical cocktail about a year and a half ago with cannabis. Still have some of the mania and depression, but am able to recognize better and make concerted efforts to right myself. No side effects that I notice…unlike with prescription drugs. 

    • Dan Ford

      I have used cannabis on and off as an anti-depressant for around 30 years. I find the current black market sources however pretty useless, I suspect because of premature cropping. I would be willing to pass on what I know to help constructive research.

    • Candice Amson

      I am a medicinal cannabis user. I have used cannabis everyday for around 25 years. Without going into the details too much here, I would be very interested, and more than happy to help with your research. I feel that I would be a very good study as a patient with mental health issues over a long period. I take a high dose of anti-depressants. I also need cannabis, and have withdrawal without it. Only recently through finding people like myself, have I come to accept that cannabis is what I need and stop fighting myself and trying to stop. I now accept that prohibition is my problem, not cannabis. 

    • Matt_naomi

      I have been diagnosed with aspergers syndrome and ADHD and would like to volunteer for research. Please contact me if you are interested. 

    • Thankful Mum

       My son has been using cannabis for a number of years now to control his seizure disorder, night terrors and eating disorder (which is related to the cataplexy he has), as well as his arthritis. He discovered that it stopped and/or alleviated all these things when he used it. He is not a drug abuser, a loser, nor an addict (as some Governments would have one believe), and due to his cannabis use is able to live an almost normal and productive life. As a parent I want my son to be healthy. I’ve been there through many attacks and it is scary.  I have also seen the wonders of cannabis in action and have no qualms about him using it for a medication. Cataplexy is no laughing matter, it is an insidious disorder to have (as with many other disorders) and  as cannabis works to ease the nasty (and life threatening) symptoms, then I wish the Government would stop interfering with people’s choices, especially once they’re of adult age!

    • Twr

      I suffered from my first mental breakdown at the age of 20. Now at 38 I have continued to use cannabis as a self medication instead of the pharmaceutical anti-psychotic drugs like Risperidol that I have been offered. I prefer CBD heavy cannabis resin as an everyday smoke as strong high grade skunk can be more psychoactive. I think that further research into this medicine is vital for human health please feel free to contact me for any more information.

    • John

      I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. The depression has been with me as long as I can remember and fills my memories of primary school, it has poisoned my relationships and ruined many times that I should’ve been, by all rights, happy. The anxiety is a recent phenomonen that was brought on by stress.
      Cannabis has been, truly, a lifesaver. I suspect I would have killed myself if not for it’s calming influence. It has turned both the depression and anxiety into managable irritants instead of the controlling factors in my life. I am now doing well – I have taken up music, sport and have long term goals, some career based, some not, that I’m striving to attain. I doubt it’d be the same story without cannabis.
      Despite that, prohibition and social stigma mean I have to pay a huge amount for my medicine of choice, buy it off some dodgy bloke, cannot inform the majority of my family of the situation as they’d think me no different from a heroin addict and get told by the vast majority of both doctors and mental health consultants that I’m essentially poisoning myself and should stop immediately. I’m disinclined to listen.
      So good luck, Mr Gibson, I hope you can change the perception of this drug from poison to medicine.
      If you wish to use this comment then go ahead and, indeed, if I can help you with your research then I would be happy to do so.
      John

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FVTDDEDH5WNN4Y6ZRNPSNL3YPE Brandon Corona

       ”Misconduct – Drug Abuse”, as written on my DD-214. Cannabis, as a medically induced therapeutic, has been helping me cope with appetite problems after experiencing a brief three day punishment aboard the USS Essex’s brig(“bread and water”). Instead of neglecting my new “anti-drug”(cannabis), I researched and educated myself, which brought me here, today. I still struggle with sleeping difficulties, but only due to depression that I will NEVER get a job, unless a ban is lifted from this “deadly narcotic” as I had always(like others) presumed it to be. I do not believe it contributes to my overall anxiety, just fear of failing more pre-employment UAs. My motor skills have remained the same. I only worry day-to-day about changing my discharge status. I was greatly disappointed in myself, after serving four years in the USN, and being rewarded an OTH discharge; however, cannabis as the drug of abuse(which, apparently, can’t be abused) has been more of a reward, upon receiving my own certificate from my current physician. I appreciate everything our country has been doing to progress and move on past these hard times, as I, like others have been LEARNING to do, not ignore.

    • Medicalcannabis

      I am a Medical user. For more than 1 condition- iv bin a Medical user for 25years. Cannabis Has Helped (Saved)  me in So many ways though the years! all the research has bin done already. its bin goin on how long now. Time to tell the people the TRUTH… CANNABIS The Tree Of Life. Is The most Natural Herb (Medicine) known to man /women FACT.  NO MORE DELAY SICK PEOPLE NEED IT TODAY.

    • Darren-Jack Broad

      I also have been diagnosed with depression for over a decade now, and find that anti-depressants like SSRI’s or MAOI’s really don’t work well enough on there own. Because of this i have been frequently self medicating with cannabis, this has alleviated the worst symptoms of depression on its own. i would be happy to volunteer for any research you need to do.

      -Darren-

    • Grrrr

       John, do not panic. Theres plenty of us in the same boat. I had a bit of a nervous breakdown several years ago. After 8 months on SSRI’s I decided enough is enough and turned back to weed. Best decision I ever made. My only advice would be…. be careful. Not all weed is equal. I find quite a few strains that I don’t get along with. I like a happy medium. Some sat dom strains make me pretty “edgy” while “White” strains seem to make me a bit introspective with is never good for us depressive types. Of course under a regulated system we’d all be  able to get the correct meds to get the job done. While at the same time not lining the pockets of big  pharma or putting a burden on the NHS for something that quite frankly is managable with a little quality bud.

    • Craig

       i used cannabis for a period of about eight years. I am presently a non-user. in the period i have not been using cannabis i believe i have been granted a greater perspective of my cannabis use – the pros and the cons. i can see why i became a user in the first place – depression, to balance mood swings, anxiety, sleep paralysis and insomnia. as a treatment for all of the above cannabis was massively effective. i should point out that the extent of my use became such that i was waking in the middle of the night with withdrawal symptoms, so it didn’t completely solve the problems of my insomnia. i should also point out, in the interests of truth, that my dependency was such that i did, to some extent, withdraw myself from society. having said this, i am also aware of how cannabis has enriched my life, and freed me up to subsequently have a life, of how, i believe, cannabis has helped me to break unconscious cycles of disabling thought processes. i would like to use cannabis, but under the instruction of a health expert. i wouldn’t dream of buying cannabis off the street for fear of contaminants, and previously i was the victim of a knife crime perpetrated by a dealer. i still suffer from all of the above complaints, with the exception of sleep paralysis, and for which i would like to use a safe and effective medication. i wish you luck with your research. if i can be of use please do not hesitate to get in touch, and please send me your thesis when you are happy for others to read it. best wishes, craig.

    • Miguel

      Having grown up in Holland, I have been in touch with weed or hash from
      my early teens and so were most of my friends, so having a smoke was
      never a big deal. I used it only in a recreational way for many years.
      I’ve also had long periods without having any cannabis. I’m not one of those
      people who find it easy to approach street dealers, so some breaks were
      kinda forced on me.
      I have been suffering from fibromyalgia/ME/CFS, chronic back pains, and arthritis in my hips for at least the past 5 years. Since I was diagnosed properly 3 years ago I have been given several types of medication including dehydrocodeine, amitryptaline, zopiclone, and valium. All these medicines have achieved is given me more problems as a result of the side-effects and have not improved my quality of life.
      For many years I have been aware of the medicinal qualities of cannabis, but it wasn’t until the middle of last year that I really looked into the medicinal benefits of cannabis. I decided that growing my own was the best way to go. As a novice grower I had to learn as much as possible about how to grow, and which strains to grow. I have just finished my 4th grow, and I am finally totally happy with the result.
      It’s not that easy to convey in words the relief I get from each puff of cannabis. Let me give an example:
      For the past 4 weeks I have been suffering a lot from mood swings, lack of sleep, no interest in intimacy with my wife, and just a general feeling of being totally fed up. This despite taking medication to help ease those symptoms.
      The harvest of my grow was useable as few days ago and after one hit from a bong I felt more relaxed, and pain free than I had felt in the previous 4 weeks using my prescribed medication. I have slept properly for the past 2 nights, and I am feeling in a much better condition generally speaking. I even managed to feel happy for once….
      I can only say that without cannabis I would very likely be in a much worse condition both physically and mentally. My quality of life has gone up thanks to cannabis.
      I think that I should have the right to medicate myself with my medicine of choice without the fear of getting busted or breaking the law. What I do is maybe in legal terms a “crime”, but how can this be if there is no victim?

      I would be more than happy to help in your research, please let me know if you do.

    • Paul

      I use cannabis with my pescribed medication to fully control my epilepsy sizures, I have grand mal epilepsy and was never sizure free i started useing cannabis for this about 4 years ago and as long as i can get clean cannabis i stay sizure free if i go a month or more without i start having sizures again, I just dont like being labled a criminal for trying to inprove and prolong my life, One epilepsy sizure is one to many i dont want to die young so i keep doing what im doing but its against the law so the criminals deal you dirty cannabis that is the bad side of it, I hope we one day see a change in the law here in the uk i dont think we will but i allways live in hope. 

    • Mrshoeshineman

      I consider myself to be both a medical and social cannabis user, everyone knows the social side of it, but the reason I use it medically is for BPD. Borderline personality disorder is a personality disorder described as a prolonged disturbance of personality function in a person (generally over the age of eighteen years, although it is also found in adolescents), characterized by depth and variability of moods. The disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood; black and white thinking, or splitting; the disorder often manifests itself in idealization and devaluation episodes, as well as chaotic and unstable interpersonal relationships, self-image, identity, and behavior; as well as a disturbance in the individual’s sense of self. In extreme cases, this disturbance in the sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation.

      In january 2010 I lost my job due to a spiralling depression and began to become suicidal. I had been seeing my GP with regards to my depression since Novemeber 2009 and had been prescribed fluoxetine which is an SSRI, commonly known as prozac. The government approved medicine ended up making me become completely apathetical and I become someone I wasn’t. I started drinking everyday, hanging out with the wrong friends etc. This all culminated in a drunken suicide attempt in august last year where I was taken into a mental ward. Whilst there I saw other victims of what I consider to be a detrimental society. At that point I decided I was to turn my life around. It was at this time I decided to give up drinking. I ended enrolling on an adult college course in order to get myself into university (to which I am going to in September).

      My life has been completely saved by cannabis. I only ever smoked occasionally prior to these events and a month after I started at college I met some new friends and we have smoked pot every single day since. Our conversation seems to reach such philosophical depths that I consider myself to be quite full of wisdom even at the age of 22. It has opened my eyes to the world and just how much of it is lies. I see those in power not even wanting to hear the pleed from people with regards to anything not just the legalisation of cannabis. After seeing the futile attempts by the people of our once great country at both of the student protests as well as the cuts protests, I lost my faith that the government will hear anyone but themselves. I fully endorse the legalisation of cannabis on all aspects.

      I think the greatest benefits we as a nation will get from the legalisation is the restoration of communities, the amount of money it will inject into the system, the amount of money it will cut from ‘terrorist’ funding, its medical use is ever expanding and wouldn’t be surprised if it is the cure for everything. With its legalisation we would most likely (or at least hopefully) see a lowering in peoples income tax, council tax etc because of the substantial amount of money the cannabis trade will make. Thousands of jobs would be created. To me this plant, this herb, this thing that will grow regardless of what a piece of legislation says, is a lifesaving miracle. I constantly try and tell people that what they think of marijuana is predominantly gov’t propoganda and have been telling almost everyone I know to fight for it not to just smoke it, grow it, deal it, eat it, vaporize it etc. I’m currently thinking of starting a petition in my local area to recognise the use of marijuana as less harmful than alcohol and tobacco aswell as the effect it will have on the economy which is what everyone wants the answer to. I have already been writing to my MP Stephen Metcalphe of Basildon, Essex with regards to raising the issue in court. He gave me the general schpiel of how it is destroying lives etc etc. The general drivvle that comes out of most politicians. Overall I have faith in truth, the truth is undeniable fact, those who fight against truth are fighting for nothing. The government do not want to admit they were wrong and they certainly dont want to let Joe public know that they may have lied to them about something. The truth will prevail it must.

    • alan.

      I’m also interested in taking part in trials. I suffer from various ailments, depression, insomnia, restless leg syndrome to name a few.
      I know I may be a bit late in coming forward but put my name down anyway.
      Thanks.

    • yusAFi

      I  suffer from degenerative disc disease.  It causes severe chronic pain.  Inturn i have been made disabled with problems when walking and incorrect posture.  To control the symptoms i have to use  10 opiate based tablets (120sr dhc 2Xdaily and 2X30/500 co-codomol 4Xdaily) a day along with diazepam 10mg and anti inflammatories, alongside these i have to take an antibiotic to keep my skin healthy a cream to stop the itching and omniprezole to stop acid build up, oh and not to forget the lactulose for the constipation.  Thats 18 diff drugs a day.  The system is literally raping my insides out.  I have found cannabis to be a better source of pain releif with less side effects.  It relaxes my muscles, takes away the pain and eases the inflammation-thus relieving me of usinng lactulose antibiotics and creams.  Basically 3 joints a day sorts me out and i dont need to take all the pills the dr prescribes.  Which in the long term will have adverse implications on my internal organs.  I spoke to my gp about Sativex, he said he would love to prescribe it but the nhs will only fund it for MS and cancer.  He did however point me in the direction of a private GP who is willing to prescribe it to me at a cost of around 6-1200 a month depending on how much i use.  Basically i am forced to either break the law or become a smack head.  Something does not make sense especially when considiering cannabis is organic and all these pills are petro-chemically produced or synthesized how can cannabis be so expensive when prescribed compared to the £50 cost of my 18 tablets.  My personal opinion they want us to be addicted to opiates-benzos plus they dont want ppl like me to live long which is why i either pay through the roof, break the law failing that i can rape my insides with thee 18 pills a day.  WHAT A WONDERFUL HEALTH SYSTEM WE HAVE.

    • Mark

      I can thank cannabis for solving my sleep problems and surprisingly my asthma. It also helps with my depression and to grow my beard 

    • Anonymous

      Am I alone in despising and mistrusting antidepressants?  I suffer from Crohn’s disease. This is chronic, has had a major negative impact on my health and I believe, has caused me to suffer from depression. Over a period of more than ten years I have been prescribed SSRI after SSRI, but all of these tend to get ‘flushed through’ my system thanks to the Crohn’s disease. What was meant to raise my mood actually tended to make me very ‘up and down’ instead.  Eventually a psychiatrist who had done more reading on the matter prescribed an older Tricyclic antidepressant called Imipremene. This did stay in my body but it also gave rise to some nasty and frightening effects. I would wake sometimes at night, hallucinating large globs of black oil swirling around my bedroom as well as feeling attacked by unseen forces…quite disconcerting.  I stopped taking these because I also noticed some sort of problem with my short and mid-term memory.  I’m 50 now and haven’t smoked cannabis since I was a student. But given my terrible experience with conventional antidepressants and the fact that I have heard that Cannabis may provide some relief for Crohn’s victims I would be happy to help with your research.

    • Anonymous

      I suffer from Crohn’s disease and this led to depression.  I was prescribed SSRI after SSRI but all of these get flushed through me thanks to Crohn’s disease, making them ineffective and actually causing more problems. Eventually a better-read doctor prescribed an older Tricyclic called Imipramine. This did stay in my body long enough to be metabolised but caused some horrible side-effects. I had to stop taking it.  

      Now, casting my mind back many years I do remember that Cannabis did enable me to properly relax. Though the Law would prevent me from trying’ I would guess that this relaxing capability in Cannabis might help me.  (For the past ten years I have not been able to escape the constant tension created by the combintion of Crohn’s and depression).  Conventional poisons have failed me.  I’d be very willing to help in your research.

    • http://www.facebook.com/ReachForTheStars1 Debbie Wilson

      I was run over by a pick up truck as a pedestrian. 1989. 7 years later due to seizure medicine side effects I fell and re injured my head. For the past 17 years I have lived with daily clusters of partial and partial complex seizures. The THC has already reduced my grand mal seizures from 122 yr to 12 year. But I need CBD for the secondary seizures and nerve root pain from a fall down the stairs and I am opiate resistant. I have lost my large intestine to medicine side effects. I would need sublingul or oral medicine as I do not absorb or you could crush it. I am a medically retired felony probation and parole officer that shared my story wiith Treating Yourself Magazine.Oct. 2011.
      My name is Debbie Wilson and I am the number one writer of brain injury poems and prose as well as PTSD and epilepsy. I run a Facebook Brain Injury Awarenesss page. I would get the word out. I already know it will work because I got the opportunity to do a week trial in Michigan. The oral cannabis drops sublinguel relieved every pain in my neck and spine. I did not have partial complex seizures for 2 weeks. That was the longest I have gone in 17 years. Please consider me for the trial!

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001100138256 Derek Mcdoffel

      Been living with Bipolar for 16 years now, have always self-medicated. I find that when depressed, it uplifts me and when slightly manic it makes my mind race with ideas and thoughts. I enjoy that. But when going on a proper manic phase, that builds up over weeks, I have found that high THC content cannabis can push me further down the spiral of hate-chaos. Ha ha. If it was regulated, I could go to a Cannabis Club like in Spain and when going manic, maybe find something with a lower THC and higher CBD content to calm me down.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001600829192 Lee Connachan

      I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when i was 17, although now they are leaning more towards Schizotypal Personality Disorder w/ Psychotic occurances. I was on every medication one after another, some of which have damaged my health severely. I was told that Cannabis was the cause of this, and believed it, so i quit smoking it. Needless to say, nothing got better, only worse, until 3 years ago. I watched a Documentary that changed my life forever, opening my eyes and my mind to the pure benefits of smoking good quality, mature Cannabis, without Tobacco. Ever since, my life has slowly improved, to the point i’m at now, where i can feel and function like a healthy person again. I don’t even feel ill 80% of the time, and i really believe that Cannabis has helped repair all the damage done by the Disgusting Anti-Psychotic medication, which includes two broken relationships and estranged parents. We need to research more into the benefits of Cannabis on not just Mental health, but ALL Health, the government need to stop lying and just admit they are wrong, so we can all move on to a better understanding and way of life :)

    • Focusonpeace

      Glad to hear your feeling better, when you use cannabis, may i make a suggestion to use CBD rich strains? As CBD is an anti psychotic cannabinoid and is used to treat people with Schizophrenia and Psychosis.
      Try and get those CBD rich strains, or at least a THC/CBD ratio of 1:1. For example ‘Critical Mass’ is 5% THC, but 5% CBD, and ‘Cannatonic’ Which is something like 6.2/6.9 CBD/THC (genetics are a cross between a female MK Ultra(F1) and G13 Haze male).

    • http://www.facebook.com/fraser.lightbody Fraser Powell Lightbody

      smoke to relieve anxiety depression and reduce muscle tremors, anti deps and beta blockers are simply no good, have asked gp for sativex but she has never heard of it, asked her to research for me but not hopefull, so i would like to be considered for trials please.

    • stevie

      hi i have me/cfs fibro & ibs .i havea widerange of symptoms .worst being cognitive problems ,pain.burning or numb sensations ,loss of appetite,sleep distrbance ,insomnia light & noise sensitivity,malaise ,fatigue ,tinitus, cramps .light headed upon standin or walking,hypersesitivitys to foods lactose caffeine pain killers ,antidepressants. . i spent months in bed before discovering cannabis madea huge difference. i had smoked it recreationaly but idnt realise its potential as medicine until i got sick . got some to help with sleep and loss of apetite and found out very quickly it eased near all my symptoms .im no longer in bedpart from normal hours ,still dont go out to often apart fromsall visits but i truly believe/know it has madea huge difference.

    • ChristopherSawtell

      You might care to use Google to make a search using the search term: “Shona Banda”.

    • JohnCrohns

      Thank you for sharing this.