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Can You Replace Zoloft With Medical Cannabis?
Zoloft is a popular antidepressant, which belongs to the SSRIs. It’s effective in managing symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Many have questions about replacing Zoloft with marijuana or vice-versa or mixing both. Cannabis is legal for medical purposes in more than 30 states now. Patients who want to access state-licensed dispensaries need to apply for medical marijuana evaluations.
Also Read- Do You Need an MMJ Card in a Cannabis Legalized State?
How do Zoloft and marijuana work? Which is better for managing mental illnesses such as anxiety, ADHD, etc. Read on to learn more.
How Does Zoloft Work?
Zoloft is an FDA-approved antidepressant, which is commonly used for treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. Moreover, doctors prescribe it to patients suffering from social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, etc.
Zoloft and other SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, also called happy chemical, is responsible for regulating mood, sleep, sexual function, etc. Increasing serotonin means positive emotions. Many studies report that Zoloft is effective in boosting sleep, appetite, and energy.
Zoloft is available in a wide range of strengths. You can buy both tablet and liquid forms of this medication. Since everyone’s condition is different, you should talk to a licensed doctor to seek professional advice about Zoloft use.
Major Risks Associated With Zoloft Use
Like other prescription medications, Zoloft also has several side-effects. However, some of the common ones are-
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting
- Skin rash
- Diarrhea
- Aggression
- Chest pain
- Trouble sleeping
Additionally, Zoloft can lead to high levels of serotonin in the body, thus causing serotonin syndrome. This happens in very rare cases, especially patients who take other medications that elevate serotonin.
However, some of the common symptoms of serotonin syndrome are anxiety tremors, confusion, increased heart rate, sweating, etc.
How Does Medical Marijuana Work?
The cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, which has amazing medicinal properties. The two important cannabinoids are THC and CBD.
There are many ways to consume cannabinoids, such as smoking, vaping, topicals, edibles, etc. No matter how you deliver phytocannabioids into the body, they stimulate the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system comprises endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors.
The phytocannabinoids bind to the cannabinoid receptors, thus boosting mood, energy, sleep, and memory.
Many studies show that cannabis can help in correcting endocannabinoid deficiency, thus managing conditions associated with it.
However, research shows that marijuana can help in managing ADHD symptoms. ADHD is caused by a shortage of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to cognitive processes—memory and attention. Marijuana works by activating the brain’s reward system and releasing more dopamine. To get the desired health benefits, make sure you get the right dosage and consumption method.
What do medical researches have to say?
A recent study shows that the endocannabinoid 2-AG can help reduce anxiety-causing effects between the amygdala and frontal cortex. The endocannabinoid 2-AG activates the same receptors as THC.
A small study shows that CBD can help in reducing anxiety, discomfort in speech performance, and cognitive impairment. However, researchers noted that non-consumers were experiencing cognitive impairment, discomfort, and other anxiety symptoms.
A 2008 study shows that cannabis strains with high levels of THC can help in reducing the amount of REM sleep, thus reducing dreams and promoting deep sleep.
Also Read- How Marijuana Treatment Works For Managing Sleep Problems?
Can You Replace Zoloft With Marijuana?
You can! Zoloft causes various unpleasant side-effects while cannabis use doesn’t lead to any health risks.
There’s a wide range of cannabis products available at medical dispensaries. These include tinctures, oils, edibles, concentrates, etc. To alleviate your symptoms completely, make sure you get the right products.
The common factors associated with marijuana’s effects on the body are-
- Metabolism
- Dosage
- Consumption method
- Strains you are consuming
However, if you want to receive the medicinal benefits of cannabis without experiencing high effects, you can go for CBD products such as gummies, oils, patches, etc.
Zoloft Interaction With Medical Cannabis
Can you mix Zoloft and marijuana? This is a common question.
There’s a lot of research available on how cannabis and antidepressants work. Many researchers have found that mixing them can lead to adverse effects.
Medical professionals believe that to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug, it’s important to determine how cannabinoids respond to the patients’ mood & behavior.
However, it’s clear that the more substances you take at once, it would be hard to evaluate the effects of each. And, to avoid this problem, medical doctors prescribe one treatment and determine its effects. Then, they replace it with another treatment and evaluate the effects.
So, if you want to introduce marijuana by replacing Zoloft or other antidepressants, or vice-versa, do it carefully. Start with a low dosage. Once you evaluated the effects of both on your health, you can make the right decision on choosing the right treatment for managing your symptoms effectively.
However, if you change strains, dosage, or consumption method, you may lose your ability to control the symptoms. In some cases, it may lead to depression, anxiety, etc.
So, always seek professional help before introducing a new drug or replacing any medication with marijuana.
How to Apply For Medical Marijuana Evaluations Online?
Marijuana is still illegal as per federal regulations. But, many states including California, have legalized its medical use. Each state has different rules for cannabis purchase, use, and possession.
However, you require a doctor’s recommendation to access medical dispensaries in your state. An MMJ recommendation letter states that you are suffering from a medical condition, which can be treated by cannabis.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not safe to visit a doctor’s clinic. So, you can talk to a doctor online through telemedicine. Here’s the complete process to apply for medical marijuana evaluations online-
- Sign up an account
- See a doctor online
- Receive your PDF MMJ letter through the email
Final Thoughts
Zoloft is effective in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, ADHD, etc. The medication works by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. On the other hand, cannabis can also help in boosting mental health by alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc. It works by stimulating the body’s endocannabinoid system.
If we talk about which is better, cannabis has the advantage. Zoloft is linked to unpleasant side-effects such as headaches, nausea, appetite loss, skin rash, and vomiting. However, cannabis doesn’t cause such risks and delivers natural results.
When introducing cannabis to your treatment plan or replacing it with Zoloft or other antidepressants, start with a low dose. You need to analyze the effects of cannabinoids on your body and choose the right marijuana strains, consumption method, and dosage. However, you should talk to a licensed doctor to seek professional advice for using cannabis for boosting mental health. Apply for medical marijuana evaluations to access cannabis legally in your state.
