The hemp cannabinoids CBD and THC can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs, and in the case of antidepressants, can also affect their effects at the nervous system level. According to available data, cannabis can affect the effectiveness of antidepressants, with the dose of one and the other possibly playing a role in the occurrence and extent of this effect.

CBD and THC can affect the metabolism of antidepressants

Once administered, the drug releases the active substances it contains, which are absorbed and distributed throughout the body. Metabolism (biotransformation) of drugs is a biochemical process of drug metabolism in the body, enzyme systems present in the liver, gastrointestinal tract, skin and other tissues are involved. The end result is compounds that can be easily excreted from the body.

After the drug is administered, the process of metabolism begins, during which chemical processes occur that lead to the breakdown of the drug. The resulting metabolites can be active - "healing" - or inactive. The latter are immediately excreted from the body.

The process of metabolizing drugs is influenced by many factors (genetic factors, gender, age, diseases, mode of administration), a particularly important one in the context of antidepressants and marijuana is the interaction with other substances.

Cannabis and antidepressants - can antidepressants be combined with CBD and marijuana? - Cannabinoids

Vaughn, S. E. et al (2021), Journal of Personalized Medicine.

Research overview 2021 suggests that cannabis (whether containing only CBD or CBD and THC) can interfere with one enzyme in the liver that is responsible for breaking down many drugs, including some antidepressants.

Decreased levels of this enzyme can lead to increased levels of the drug in the bloodstream and increase the risk of side effects. However, it is important to note that interactions between cannabis and antidepressants depend on the type of antidepressant.

To those noted during the action research Adverse effects resulting from abnormal metabolism of some antidepressants due to interaction with marijuana include:

nausea,
diarrhea,
constipation,
anxiety, fear,
feeling of fatigue,
dizziness,
appetite disorders and weight changes,
Drowsiness,
excessive sweating,
headaches,

Interaction of CBD and THC with antidepressants at the nervous system level

Both antidepressants and cannabis affect the "behavior" of the nervous system and neurotransmitters in the brain.

SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are the most commonly used group of antidepressants. They can be used for people with anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, among others, social phobia.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a huge role in the nervous system. Among other things, it affects mood - too little serotonin contributes to depressive states and anxiety disorders. The action of drugs in the SSRI group is to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic gap of nerve cells, that is, to leave it in a place where it can stimulate nerve cells to send impulses for a longer period of time. The anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties are due to the fact that the concentration of serotonin in the brain increases under the influence of the drugs.

Cannabis consumption can also potentially worsen some mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea and vomiting. High doses of cannabis can cause more serious symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations or psychosis.

Does cannabis have antidepressant effects?

Research on therapeutic the use of hemp cannabis is still in its early stages, but there are some indications that cannabis may have a beneficial effect on depressive symptoms. For example, a review conducted in 2020 highlighted some evidence from animal studies and possible mechanisms by which CBD may reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.

When to contact your doctor

Anyone taking antidepressants should consult a doctor before trying any cannabis products. The compounds in cannabis can interact with antidepressants in various ways, which can increase the risk of side effects and reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants.

People should also discuss with their doctor side effects of hemp products Indian. These side effects can contribute to symptoms of depression, such as anxiety or nausea.

Research show that marijuana use can also affect the way SSRI drugs work - the cannabinoids CBD and THC also interact with serotonergic centers in the brain. There are no data to date that clearly explain the mechanism of this interaction, but the cases of patient(s) discussed in the article show that simultaneous use of antidepressants and marijuana can lead to relapse or exacerbation of symptoms.

As this phenomenon has been observed in users taking cannabis on their own, it is difficult to determine what doses, mode of administration or varieties of cannabis caused the exacerbation of the disease for which the patients/treatment with antidepressants.

Researchers point to the need for controlled studies in this area, especially given the immense popularity of products containing hemp cannabinoids and the ever-growing number of people being treated with antidepressants.