Effects of Marijuana on Mental Health: Depression

Highlights
– THC and CBD appear to have antidepressant-like effects in animal models at certain doses but not others.
– Marijuana has been associated with diminished motivation, but a distinct “cannabis amotivational syndrome”
has yet to be substantiated.
– Studies looking at whether marijuana use is associated with increased likelihood of development of depression
have mixed findings: in some studies, associations have not been found when other variables associated with
depression and marijuana use were taken into account.
– While a slight majority of medical marijuana users report using marijuana for depression and generally find it
helpful, some evidence suggests that reductions in marijuana use by those with depression may actually
reduce depressive symptoms.