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September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and there is no better time to talk about depression and its effects on the human mind. Over 40,000 people commit suicide each year, with many more people having failed suicide attempts. Depression is the leading cause of suicide, and it is important that everyone understands the symptoms and signs, and that you seek help if you need it.

One of the many treatments available for symptoms of depression is medical cannabis. Medical cannabis can treat symptoms of depression in a number of ways. Treating depression rather than ignoring it is the number one thing that you can do to prevent suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, it is important to seek help.

Improve Mood Regulation

The body has its own endocannabinoid system that responds to the cannabinoids in marijuana. This endocannabinoid system is directly tied to mental health and mood regulation. Studies have found that using medical cannabis can help regulate mood, which can decrease symptoms of depression. More research is needed to determine the right amount and frequency of cannabis to treat depression.

Medical cannabis is only legal in Florida for approved conditions, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some additional health benefits of cannabis. You might be surprised by all of the ways that cannabis can help you in addition to the condition you are primarily using it for.

Lower Risk of Obesity

A study done by the University of Quebec found that cannabis users aged 18 to 71 had healthy BMIs, or body mass index. BMI measurements are one of the key factors that doctors look at when determining someone’s health. People with low BMIs are at lower risk for diabetes and heart disease.

One of the questions that we get a lot at Tetra Health Centers is whether or not an employer can fire you for using marijuana under the legal laws of Florida. The simple answer is “yes, they can,”but it is a bit more complicated than that.

The debate about whether or not an employer can fire someone for using medical marijuana under the laws of the state have been ongoing since California first legalized marijuana for medical use. So far, every case that has gone to court has been in favor of the employer. Employees are not protected by their state’s medical marijuana laws.

The reason that most courts are likely to come down on the side of the employer is that medical marijuana is still federally illegal, and therefore not a prescription drug. This means that it is not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If your employer has a drug-free workplace policy and you violate it, you can be fired.

With over half the states in the country legalizing medical cannabis, there has been a lot of talk about how it can help patients with different conditions. You may have heard tidbits here and there of how medical cannabis helps patients. Here are the three most common conditions treated with cannabis.

Cancer

While studies are inconclusive when it comes to cannabis’s ability to cure or treat cancer, there is no doubt that cannabis helps cancer patients. It can increase appetite, decrease nausea, help combat the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and improve overall health and emotional wellbeing during what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult things a person can go through.

Our veterans are important members of our society, and it is unfortunate that they are often overlooked or even shunned by our communities. There are a lot of things out there that can help veterans be more productive members of society. One of the most beneficial things for veterans is medical cannabis. Here are three ways that medical cannabis can change the outlook for many veterans.

Treatment of PTSD

Many veterans, especially those who have seen action overseas, come back to the states with PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is the leading cause of violence and suicide in veterans. While some patients are treated with psychotherapy and medications, other veterans are finding that they get the most benefits from a combination of medical cannabis and psychotherapy.

Elderly patients over the age of 65 are the fastest growing group of marijuana users in the United States. There are several reasons that elderly patients are turning to medical marijuana to treat their many health conditions. With 33 states and the District of Columbia passing medical marijuana laws, it is becoming a popular method of medical treatment. Here’s what you need to know about the use of medical marijuana with the elderly.

Reduce Pain and Opioid Dependency

Many elderly patients experience chronic pain due to decayed joints, arthritis, back problems, or other health conditions. Studies have found that medical marijuana can reduce chronic pain and dependency on opioid pain medications. In fact, one study found that 33% of elderly patients decreased their opioid use on their own after starting medical marijuana.

Did you know that scientists have discovered a link between depression and inflammation? In fact, researchers have discovered that people who are depressed have increased inflammation in certain parts of the brain that affect mood. This inflammation could be the cause of the symptoms of more severe depression.

Depression affects millions of people every year. Whether depression is clinical or situational, the results of the studies are the same. Inflammation is present in the brain. Researchers are currently looking for ways to reduce this inflammation, so that depression symptoms can be lessened, helping medications to work better or be unnecessary at all.

One of the ways that you can reduce inflammation in any part of the body is by using medical cannabis. Medical cannabis has been proven to reduce inflammation in the body. Preliminary studies have shown that cannabis helps to relieve symptoms of depression. This lessening of inflammation in the brain could be one reason for this improvement.

Many people are not aware of the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis. In fact, cannabis is the original natural anti-inflammatory plant that can be used to treat a number of conditions. One of the reasons that cannabis has become so widespread in its medical use is because it reduces inflammation, which can reduce symptoms of a number of conditions.

Inflammatory Illnesses

There are several inflammatory illnesses that can be successfully treated with cannabis. These include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, both of which involve the immune system attacking itself and causing inflammation. While there are no cures for these disorders, cannabis can help reduce symptoms including pain and discomfort associated with these illnesses.

Surgery of any kind can leave you with a lot of discomfort and pain. How long you require something for the pain depends on how fast you heal and what type of surgery you have. Many people who undergo surgery and take prescription pain medications become addicted to them due to extended use. Instead of putting your health and mental health at risk, there are some alternatives that will reduce your dependency on pain prescriptions.

Alternatives to Pain Killers

There are many alternatives to prescription pain killers. Acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and other therapies and treatments have been developed in recent years to combat pain without risking your health. Another great way to regulate pain is with medical marijuana. Medical marijuana can help reduce pain by reducing inflammation, blocking pain receptors, and changing the way the brain processes pain from physical injury.