Cannabis contains various chemical compounds that may interact with how antidepressants work. This could increase the risk of potential side effects. However, more research is still necessary.
Cannabis is a plant that contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and other chemicals. People prepare cannabis in various ways for consumption, and it has medicinal and recreational uses. For example, there is evidence that cannabis products could reduce the symptoms of chronic pain.
Antidepressants are medications that doctors typically prescribe for treating various mental health symptoms. There are several types of antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). They can treat the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other conditions.
Cannabis affects how the liver breaks down several medications, including antidepressants. This can lead to higher doses of antidepressants in the bloodstream, which could cause side effects.
In this article, we will discuss whether cannabis impacts how well antidepressants work.
Cannabis can potentially impact the effectiveness of antidepressants in several ways.
For example, cannabis may interfere with the metabolism of certain medications. A
Reducing levels of cytochrome P450 can lead to increased levels of the medication in the bloodstream and elevate the risk of
Cannabis use may interact with antidepressants in other ways, such as affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Cannabis could also cause side effects that contribute to the symptoms of the condition that antidepressants are treating. For example, they might cause nausea or anxiety.
A review in 2020 found that THC and CBD have potential interactions with 57 prescription medications, including antidepressants. Any interactions between cannabis and antidepressants depend on the type of antidepressant.
For example, a 2021 study found that CBD can affect how the body breaks down several types of antidepressants, including sertraline, fluoxetine, and mirtazapine. While it had a small effect on these antidepressants, it had a larger effect on citalopram. However, whether this would increase the risk of side effects is unclear.
The 2020 review of potential THC and CBD interactions also highlighted an interaction between THC and Cymbalta. Cymbalta is the brand name for duloxetine, a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. This means that consuming products containing THC could increase or decrease the amount of Cymbalta in the blood.
It is important to discuss the type of antidepressant and cannabis product that someone is taking with a doctor to understand specific interactions.
Consuming cannabis products could increase the amount of antidepressant in the bloodstream. This means that it has the potential to increase the risk of side effects.
- nausea and vomiting
- dry mouth
- constipation
- weight and appetite changes
- headache
- sleeping problems
- dizziness
- excessive sweating
- drowsiness
- problems urinating
Consuming cannabis can also potentially worsen some mental health symptoms, such as anxiety or nausea, and vomiting. High doses of cannabis could cause more severe symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, or psychosis.
Research on the medicinal uses of cannabis is still in its early stages, but there are some signs that cannabis could have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms. For example, a review in 2020 highlighted some evidence from animal research and possible mechanisms through which CBD could reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.
However, there is not much experimental research on humans on this topic. A review of 83 studies in 2019 found little evidence that CBD could improve mental health symptoms in a range of conditions, including depression. They also stated that the quality of research was low and higher quality research was necessary.
Anyone taking antidepressants should consult a doctor before trying any cannabis products. The compounds in cannabis can interact in different ways with antidepressant medications, which could increase the risk of side effects and reduce antidepressant effectiveness.
People should also discuss the side effects of cannabis products with a doctor. These side effects may contribute to symptoms of depression, such as anxiety or nausea.
Cannabis is a plant that contains various chemical compounds that affect brain chemistry. Antidepressants also influence brain chemistry and are typically for treating mental health symptoms. Cannabis can affect the way that the body breaks down medications, including antidepressants.
People taking antidepressants should be aware that cannabis could increase the risk of side effects. It may also contribute to the symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders. People should discuss potential interactions between cannabis and antidepressants with a doctor.