Is Cannabis a Depressant?

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK. The Office for National Statistics reported that 7.6% of people aged 16 to 59 years in England and Wales (around 2.5 million people) reported having used the drug in the previous 12 months.

Many people use the drug without properly understanding the effects of cannabis on the brain. The effects experienced can vary depending on a number of factors – including their own physical and mental health and the strength and dose of the cannabis taken. Some people report feeling more relaxed, while others may feel more chatty or outgoing. Many people experience euphoria or hallucinogenic effects such as altered perceptions of sights, sounds and time.

So is cannabis a depressant, a stimulant, a hallucinogen or something else entirely?

What is a Depressant?

The family of drugs, commonly known as depressants, work on the central nervous system to slow down brain activity. This can cause the muscles to relax and the user to become mentally calm. Central nervous system depressants are sometimes called sedatives or tranquillizers and include benzodiazepines and barbiturates. They have a number of legitimate medical uses, including treating insomnia and other sleep problems, relieving anxiety, reducing muscle spasms and preventing seizures.

Depressants can have potentially harmful effects, however, especially if misused. They can reduce reaction time, impair coordination and affect concentration and mental processes- all of which could potentially increase the risk of accidents or poor decision-making.

Possible side effects may include:

• Speech may become slurred.
• Motor coordination could be impaired.
• Feelings of weakness.
• Headaches.
• Sensations of light-headedness.
• Vision may become blurry.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Slowed breathing.

How Does Cannabis Affect the Brain and Body?

While the exact mechanisms of cannabis are not fully understood, it is known that they work by affecting cannabinoid receptors, which are located not only in the brain but throughout the human body.

The two main active ingredients in cannabis are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main psychoactive part of cannabis and the element responsible for the ‘high’ that most users are after.

The feelings of a cannabis high can vary widely and be quite subjective but could include:

• Altered senses (including hallucinations at high doses).
• Altered sense of time.
• Feeling of relaxation.
• Sense of euphoria.
• Pain relief.
• Anxiety and paranoia.
• Nausea and sickness.
• Impaired reactions and coordination.
• Trouble concentrating.
• Drowsiness.

Is Cannabis a Stimulant or Hallucinogen?

Many of these effects, such as feeling more relaxed and a sense of drowsiness, are common to central nervous depressants. Others, however, such as euphoria and anxiety, are more in line with stimulants. Cannabis can also cause the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise, a potentially dangerous side effect that is also more common with stimulants.

Cannabis, then, appears to have both depressant and stimulant properties, which can vary depending on the dose, the strength of the drug and other factors. It can also have other effects such as altered perceptions, which are hallucinogenic in nature.

Is Cannabis a Depressant?

Many people who use cannabis do so because they say it relaxes them. This may be the case, but it can also cause anxiety and paranoia, especially when taken in stronger doses or with long-term use. Other depressant-like effects are more physical in nature and can include slowed reactions, impaired motor control and drowsiness. Cannabis can also cause confusion, affect your ability to think, reason, concentrate and remember.

Cannabis can increase levels of called adenosine (which is a sleep-promoting chemical) whilst also suppressing the brain’s arousal system. This can help promote sleep in people with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. Some studies have also found evidence pointing towards CBD having a calming effect on the central nervous system, with potential uses in treating conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

The Risks of Cannabis Use

Many people believe cannabis to be a relatively ‘safe’ drug, but there are a number of potential risks and harms associated with its use.

The depressive effect of cannabis can affect your behaviour, thoughts and coordination, potentially making you more susceptible to accidents and dangerous behaviour. It is illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis here in the UK, as it can impair your driving.

As already mentioned, cannabis can increase your heart rate, which can lead to cardiovascular issues. If you smoke cannabis, it can have all the risks and harms of smoking tobacco, including respiratory injury, cancer, emphysema, heart disease and pregnancy complications.

There is also a lot of evidence linking cannabis use to mental health issues. This can include relatively common but potentially debilitating conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as psychotic illnesses, including psychosis and schizophrenia. This is especially true for strains of cannabis with high THC content.

Cannabis Use and Addiction

Many people also believe that cannabis is not addictive, but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that it can be. One study found that around 9% of cannabis users in the US present some symptoms of dependence, as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV).

These could include continuing to use the drug despite negative consequences such as failing to meet obligations at work or school or usage causing problems with family members, relationships and others. Chronic users may develop a tolerance – needing to use more of the drug for the same effect – and experience withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep, depressed mood and loss of appetite. Less common physical symptoms include chills, headaches, physical tension, sweating and stomach pain.

Seeking Help for Cannabis Use

If you are worried about your own cannabis use or that of someone you are close to, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Treatments such as detox, counselling, therapy and long-term support can help you to take control of your drug use. Get in touch today for free and confidential advice or to get the ball rolling if you decide rehab is the right path for you.