Mental Health: Exploring Medicinal Benefits of Recreational Drugs

Globally around 284 million people suffer from anxiety disorder and about 264 million have depressive disorders. We have the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which show us that more than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. have mental illness in some form. The statistics show that in 2021, around 14.1 million were diagnosed with serious mental illness.

Also, in alarming proportion, the Youths suffer from mental health, particularly with anxiety and depression. Data shows that 1 in 5 youths in the age category of 13 – 18 had either suffered from serious debilitating mental illness or are currently experiencing it.

Because of stigma and fears of judgment, people with mental health issues often don’t receive professional help. To have some temporary relief from their emotional pain, some often turn to recreational drugs. We also have different clinical studies which show us promising results, especially with psilocybin and MDMA.

Cannabis, THC, and Mental Health: What You Need to Know

What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

This is an important regulatory system in our body and is responsible for maintaining balance (homeostasis). Let’s take a closer look at its key parts:

• Cannabinoid Receptors: CB1 receptors, located mainly in the brain and central nervous system, help regulate your mood, memory, pain, and appetite. So, why do people feel ‘high’? This happens when THC attaches to the receptors, so your perceptions also change. People may feel an altered sense of perception, euphoria and relaxation. Also, some people may notice their memory and cognitive function are also affected, this is mainly because the CB1 receptors in the memory-related region of the brain known as hippocampus, are sensitive to THC.
• CB2 Receptors: CB2 receptors are mainly located in peripheral tissues, especially in immune cells, and are not present much in the brain which is also why people don’t experience the typical psychoactive effects. When the CB2 receptors are activated, there is often less inflammation, a factor that is studied as a potential therapeutic use for inflammatory conditions.
• Anandamide (AEA): A naturally occurring endocannabinoid that connects to CB1 and helps people with pain, mood and appetite.
• 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG): is another endocannabinoid that is important for the immune function and neuroprotection.
• Mood Regulation and Pain Perception: The ECS plays a role in regulating mood, and stress responses, modulating pain perception and sensitivity.
• Appetite and Metabolism: The ECS is involved in appetite regulation and metabolic processes, meaning it can influence feelings of hunger.
• Neuroprotection: As ECS is connected with neuroprotection and maintains our brain health, it is studied for its possible role in different neurodegenerative diseases.

THC: The Key Psychoactive Compound in Cannabis

• The Chemical Signature: The chemical structure of THC allows it to connect with the endocannabinoid system in our body, particularly the CB1 and CB2. This in turn triggers a response that causes the psychoactive effects associated with the use of cannabis.
• The “High” and Beyond: When THC binds to CB1 receptors, it can induce a range of effects, including heightened sensory perception, altered thinking, relaxation, and euphoria. This is commonly referred to as the “high.”
• Variable Effects: The effects of THC can vary significantly among individuals with factors such as dosage and mode of consumption (smoking, vaping, edibles, etc.) playing an important role.

Medicinal Potential of THC

Although THC is well known for its recreational use, its medicinal potential has gained much attention in recent years.

Here are some areas where THC has been considered for its medicinal potential.

• Pain Management: THC has analgesic properties (pain-reliving) which are particularly good for people with neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain, and musculoskeletal pain.
• Nausea and Vomiting Control: THC can also help with nausea and vomiting, which are particularly great for people undergoing chemotherapy.
• Appetite Stimulation: THC’s ability to stimulate appetite can help people with conditions that can cause appetite loss such as cancer or HIV / AIDS.
• Muscle Spasm Reduction: THC has muscle relaxant properties that can help manage conditions characterized by muscle spasms, like multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injuries.
• Glaucoma Treatment: There is some research that shows THC could temporarily lower the intraocular pressure, meaning it could be used in the treatment for glaucoma where vision loss is often an issue. 
• Sleep Aid: THC’s relaxation-inducing effects may aid individuals with insomnia or sleep disorders in achieving restful sleep.
• Neuroprotective Properties:  THC could have neuroprotective properties which could help people with diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
• Mood Disorders: While the effects can be complex, some individuals report temporary relief from symptoms of mood disorders like depression and anxiety with THC use.
• Epilepsy: THC in combination with CBD could be an option for the treatment of epilepsy that is resistant to medications.
• Inflammation and Autoimmune Disorders: As THC has anti-inflammatory elements, people with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis may find some help with the management of the disease.

THC on Mental Health

 Let’s take a look at the medicinal potential of THC:

• Depression: Some users report temporary mood elevation and a sense of relaxation with THC use, which may provide relief from symptoms of depression. It is important to remember that in some cases, THC could have unpredictable effects such as worsening symptoms for people with a history of depression or mood disorder. High doses or prolonged use may worsen depressive symptoms in some cases. The response to THC in individuals with depression can vary widely, and its efficacy as a treatment is not well-established.
• Anxiety: How THC impacts people with anxiety can vary from person to person, with some experiencing increased anxiety or panic attacks, particularly when taken in high doses. But, the CBD in cannabis has anxiety-reducing properties, which means, it could potentially counteract the THC’s anxiety-inducing effects. Strains with a balanced THC-to-CBD ratio are often preferred for anxiety-prone individuals.
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): Some studies suggest that THC could potentially lower the emotional impact of traumatic memories. While some may find relief in symptoms, others may experience worsened flashbacks – therefore, the use of THC for PTSD should be approached carefully as it could result in adverse effects.

Psilocybin’s Medical Promise for Mental Health

Psilocybin is considered a serotonin receptor that is found in certain mushrooms. People have become very interested in psilocybin and many studies are also involved to understand its positive benefits for conditions such as anxiety, alcohol dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

How does Psilocybin work?

Psilocybin mainly affects the brain and central nervous system by connecting with the serotonin receptors. Here’s how psilocybin works:

• Conversion to Psilocin: Psilocybin is converted to psilocin by the body which gives people psychedelic effects.
• Serotonin Receptor Activation: When the serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptors, are activated, it causes a change in brain connectivity. Basically, what happens, is the areas of the brain that usually do not communicate much become connected. This difference is often felt as the unique experiences people feel after taking psilocybin. 
• Enhanced Plasticity: Psilocin has been associated with increased synaptic plasticity meaning it can form new neural connections and pathways.
• Changes in Perception: Psilocybin can cause perceptual changes, including vivid visual hallucinations, altered time perception, and synesthesia (the blending of sensory experiences, such as seeing sound or hearing colors).
• Default Mode Network (DMN) Suppression: Psilocybin is known to suppress the activity of the brain’s DMN which is connected with self-referential thoughts, introspection, and mind-wandering. This reduction in DMN activity is linked to a sense of ego dissolution and the feeling of interconnectedness often reported during psychedelic experiences.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Mental Health

• Mechanism of Action: SSRIs can increase the levels of serotonin by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, a process where they are reabsorbed by nerve cells. By preventing the reuptake, serotonin can remain in the synapses for a longer time, meaning a positive effect on mood regulation.
• Common SSRIs: These are fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), and paroxetine (Paxil) which are often prescribed for common mental health conditions.
• Efficacy: Although SSRIs are generally considered effective for depression and anxiety, individual responses can vary in treating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It may take several weeks for the full therapeutic effects to become apparent.
• Side Effects: People may experience nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, weight changes, and, in some cases, increased anxiety during the initial weeks of treatment.
• Precautions: You should only take SSRIs under the guidance of your healthcare provider and should take the medication as prescribed. When discontinued, some may even experience withdrawal-like symptoms known as discontinuation syndrome. Also, people taking SSRIs need to be closely monitored as it is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in some people.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

A study titled “Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study” was published in The Lancet Psychiatry. There were 12 participants who had severe treatment-resistant depression who received psilocybin orally, 10 mg and 25 mg, 7 days apart.  The study shows that the people’s symptoms have lowered 1 week and 3 months after high-dose treatment. Also, an improvement in anxiety symptoms was noted.

• A Word of Caution: If you are thinking about using psilocybin for treating mental health issues, you should only do so under the guidance of health professionals as self-administration carries risks.

The Trend of Psilocybin Micro-dosing for Depression and Anxiety

Recently we notice that the trend of micro-dosing with psilocybin has become quite popular for managing depression and anxiety symptoms. Let’s take a look at how micro-dosing helps people;

What is Microdosing?

Micro-dosing involves taking sub-perceptual doses of a psychedelic substance, such as psilocybin, in quantities so small that they do not induce a full-blown psychedelic experience. Instead, people taking micro-doses hope to benefit from the therapeutic benefits but also to be able to remain fully functional in their daily lives. People often feel a sense of increased creativity and improved focus with reduced symptoms of anxiety or depression.

While scientific research on micro-dosing is still in its infancy, anecdotal evidence has fueled interest and experimentation. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of micro-dosing as a treatment strategy.

DMT and Mental Health

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a potent psychedelic compound that has been looked into as an alternative treatment option for various mental health problems. Although this research field is new, let’s take a look at how DMT is explored as an alternative to mental health.

• Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: This method uses giving people a controlled dose of DMT in a supportive setting with therapists who are trained.
• Potential Mechanisms: The therapeutic potential of DMT may be related to the profound and transformative experiences it can induce. These experiences could mean a shift in perspective and emotional processing that could help people address their mental issues.
• Research on Depression: Some studies show that when DMT is given to people in a therapeutic context, they may experience sustained antidepressant effects which are linked to a sense of connectedness and deep emotional insights. 
• Anxiety and PTSD: DMT is also looked for its potential to help people with anxiety disorders and PTSD by helping them process traumatic memories or anxiety-inducing thoughts.
• Safety and Professional Guidance: DMT is a powerful and short-acting psychedelic, and its use outside of a controlled therapeutic setting can be associated with risks, including psychological distress.
• Legal Considerations: The legal status of DMT varies widely by country and region. In many places, it is classified as a controlled substance. It is essential to be aware of and adhere to local laws and regulations regarding its use.
• Individual Variability: Responses to DMT can vary widely among individuals. While some may report profound and positive therapeutic outcomes, others may experience challenging experiences. This underscores the importance of careful screening and guidance by mental health professionals.