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Marijuana
Marijuana — does it produce serotonin?
Originally Published: February 04, 2005 ~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: January 29, 2010
 
Dear Alice,

My girlfriend tells me she uses marijuana to calm herself if she is having a stressful day. She has been doing this for many years. She says smoking pot is like self-medicating — it is better than using anti-depressants. She also claims smoking pot helps with depression because of how it helps produce Seratonin in the body. What is Seratonin and how does it help depression? Does smoking pot really help with managing your anxiety, depression, etc.?

Thank you,
A very concerned boyfriend

 

Dear a very concerned boyfriend,

It sounds as though some answers about marijuana and its effect on mood will be helpful in understanding your girlfriend's use. Serotonin is one of many neurotransmitters found in the blood, mucous membranes lining the digestive tract and stomach, and brain. Serotonin is a chemical made from tryptophan, an amino acid found in food. Imbalances in the brain's neurotransmitters cause depression. Having higher levels of serotonin is shown to counter some depressive symptoms. 

Marijuana doesn't produce serotonin. However, it does affect a substance in the brain called anandamide. Anandamide causes a soothing sensation in the body when it reacts with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active substance in marijuana. It is the anandamide that causes your girlfriend to relax when using marijuana. Some of the ways that marijuana can affect people in low to medium doses are:

  • reduced blood pressure
  • relaxation
  • reduced coordination
  • sleepiness
  • disruption in attention
  • an altered sense of time and space

In higher doses, marijuana can cause delusions, hallucinations, and impaired memory. While marijuana use may seem like a soother to your girlfriend, she may need to know about the potential negative effects:

Addictive potential
Marijuana use affects dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in the brain's pleasure producing or reward mechanism, which helps explain its potential for dependency.

Memory impairment
Marijuana use can negatively affect short-term memory, especially memories formed while a person was high.

Heart and lungs
Marijuana smokers may experience some of the same acute symptoms as cigarette smokers, including increased respiratory infections, increased phlegm production, and daily cough. Marijuana users may have an increased risk of heart attack, especially those users who are older or have underlying heart vulnerability.

Mental health
A number of studies show an association between marijuana use and anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. It's not clear whether marijuana triggers new problems or or existing problems lead some to use marijuana.

It might be helpful to ask your girlfriend why marijuana, an illegal substance, would be preferable to a controlled medication taken under medical advisement to manage her stress and depression. You could also express any concerns you may have about how her use impacts your relationship and daily life. These are issues you, as someone who cares for her, could explore with her. At the least, she may agree to see her health care provider for a medical exam and evaluation. This provider could make a referral to a specialist if needed. If you are a student at Columbia, you can make an appointment to see a health care provider by either calling x4-2284 or by logging-in to Open Communicator.  

Perhaps if you share this information with your girlfriend, showing your caring and concern, she may see that there are other ways to manage her stress. If you do suggest that she visits a provider, you could offer to go with her so that she gets the support she deserves.

Take care,

Alice

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