Thank you,
A very concerned boyfriend

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 (most famously as the substance in turkey that makes people feel tired after the meal). Imbalances in the brain's neurotransmitters cause depression. Higher levels of serotonin are shown to counter depressive symptoms.

Marijuana DOES NOT 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 in low to medium doses. Some of the ways that marijuana use in low to medium doses has an effect on people 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 negative effects:

Addictive effects

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 trying to be recovered during the time when one was using this drug.

Amotivational syndrome

Since testosterone levels are temporarily lowered, users of marijuana don't feel like doing much besides eating and hanging out with the small group of friends with which they are most comfortable.

Disease

Long-term marijuana use can cause irreversible changes in both male and female reproductive organs, such as lowered sperm count in men and altered shape of the uterus in women. Lung cancer, emphysema, and lowered immune system responses, such as decreased white blood cell count, could also result from extended marijuana use.

Mental health

Marijuana appears to increase the risk of developing depression and/or schizophrenia the more that one uses it.

This last negative effect should serve as a red flag, as your girlfriend believes that she is self-medicating, when she may be contributing to her depression. Her depression could manifest itself in the future, since marijuana users typically withdraw from social situations, adding to depression.

Also consider what it is about antidepressants that are so abhorrent to your girlfriend. Why would marijuana, an illegal substance, be preferable to a controlled medication taken under medical advisement to manage her stress and depression? These are issues you, as someone who cares for her, could explore with her. At the least, she may agree to see her medical or primary care provider for a medical exam and evaluation. If she then has a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety, or is referred to someone who specializes in working with people with these conditions, then chances are she will feel better than when she "prescribes" marijuana for herself.

Perhaps if you share this information with your girlfriend, showing your caring and concern, she may see that there are healthier, legal ways to manage her stress. If you suggest that she visit a mental health care provider, you could offer to go with her, so that she gets the help and/or medication that she needs and deserves.

For additional info, you can check out this site:

"Marijuana and antidepressants don't mix" on USA Today web site

Alice

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