Cannabis for Mental Health Rising in Canada
COVID-19 Adds Stress and Other Impacts to Mental Health – LPC
More and more Canadians are turning to cannabis for mental health. Dr. Mark Kimmins, an advisor on medical cannabis at Natural Health Services, said there has been a considerable increase.
“People are scared and not sleeping properly,” Dr. Kimmins said. “Chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression are the top reasons people use medical cannabis. When used properly, cannabis can provide relief of all these symptoms.”
An Angus Reid poll found that half of Canadians report a worsening of their mental health; one in ten said it had worsened “a lot”. Mental health concerns including worried (44 per cent), anxious (41 per cent), and bored (30 per cent).
Christine Tracey from Calgary takes cannabis to help treat insomnia. She uses it more now, she said.
“Since COVID, I’m chewing on something by noon for anxiety… It’s not about being at 100 per cent anymore, it’s about being functional,” she said.
But does cannabis for mental health work? Like many things, it depends on the person. There are known issues with using cannabis mental health treatments and the CMAJ questions cannabis risks and benefits. Plus, the cannabis addiction rate is about 10 per cent, so cannabis can become a mental health issue on its own.
Dr. Kyle Burns, a board member of Anxiety Canada, said using cannabis might help you relax. But…
“In the short term, cannabis can reduce tension and the physical symptoms of anxiety,” he said. “But there isn’t evidence it has long-term benefits.”
As with any drug, it’s always best to talk with a doctor or medical professional using cannabis for mental health.
This editorial content from the LPC News Team provides analysis, insight, and perspective on current news articles. To read the source article this commentary is based upon, please click on the link below.
