Dreams have been described as a rehearsal for real life, ways to satisfy desires, and some form of nighttime therapy. A new theory aims to understand everything.
Dreams have been described as a rehearsal for real life, ways to satisfy desires, and a form of nocturnal therapy. A new theory aims to understand everything.
Released January 20, 2021
Cannabis was legalized in Canada in October 2018 and is now available in various stores. Interestingly, Health Canada just released the results of its 2020 Canadian Cannabis Survey, which found that 27% of Canadians had used cannabis in the past year. About half of those who use cannabis reported using it for medicinal purposes, with rates of use being particularly high among people reporting poor or fair mental health.
These results overlap with the existing research literature indicating that a significant number of people with mental health problems are using cannabis therapeutically to treat symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, trauma, and chronic pain. Such medicinal use can reduce suffering because cannabis contains analgesic and sedative properties that are generally effective and safe when used in moderation.
Overall, roughly one in seven Canadians use cannabis for medicinal purposes, many of them have mental health problems. There is evidence that this can have positive effects on quality of life and general wellbeing.
Although cannabis has been legal for over two years, many stereotypes and scars still surround people who use medicinal cannabis, leading to discrimination and Exclusion can result. For example, a study by the University of British Columbia found that cannabis users were often viewed as irresponsible and unreliable « hit heads » by a wide variety of people, including employers, colleagues, and even health care providers.
These stereotypes are far from the truth, because a wide variety of people with mental health problems use cannabis for medicinal purposes, including professionals, workers, seniors, parents, and military veterans. In fact, one study found that 52% of Canadian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (including many who have served in Afghanistan) use cannabis for reasons such as relaxation, emotional calming, and pain management.
These findings are in line with the findings of a subcommittee report on Veterans Affairs of the Senate of Canada on the Medical Use of Cannabis, which found that veterans frequently resort to cannabis after other medical treatments have failed or resulted in intolerable side effects. Indeed, one veteran told the committee that « medical cannabis saved his life and … improved his quality of life by exponential dimensions, » while others stated that cannabis is a preferred option for treating pain over opioids, with its potential for addiction, Abuse and Overdose.
In short, the scars and stereotypes surrounding cannabis users obscure the fact that people from many different walks of life are now using cannabis for health purposes. With this in mind, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (an official government body) recently funded 14 community-based projects that aim to study, document, and destigmatize cannabis use in different groups.
I am leading one of these newly funded projects , which produces a range of educational documentation that describes the various reasons for the use of cannabis by people with mental health problems and examines the effects of that use on their wellbeing and quality of life. What is important is that the documentaries are produced by a social enterprise made up of filmmakers with mental illnesses who are familiar with some of the aforementioned stigmas and stereotypes firsthand. This means that we approach our tasks with empathy and understanding.
These instructional videos will highlight the voices of cannabis users with mental health problems and prioritize their perspectives by letting them share their stories and experiences on camera. While the videos focus on the benefits, they will also include a discussion of the potential risks associated with cannabis use, especially with overuse. So we will also interview a number of experts to ensure a variety of perspectives.
Once completed, these videos will be made freely available on social media. In addition, they will be shown during a series of organized screenings (with panel discussions) to a wide variety of audiences including employers, health care providers, post-secondary educational institutions, and other community organizations.
Ultimately, we hope this basic process of video production and distribution will help to destigmatize cannabis use for reasons of mental and physical health, thus removing this misunderstood problem from the shadows. This can help create a climate of acceptance and inclusion for the growing number of people who use cannabis therapeutically.
a regular cannabis user and a clean and sober pilot, and no drug testing when all other things are equal, Doesn’t it matter which one flies the Grand Canyon helicopter with your kids?
Comments from beauty contestants who fail the common sense tests aren’t exactly virtuous, they’re kind of cheesy.
There are very few Conditions that studies show marijuana is used to treat. For the majority of the « self-medication » this is just another dissociative coping mechanism. People should be treated for their anxiety and depression, but marijuana isn’t that treatment.
Rob Whitley, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University and a research fellow at Douglas Hospital Research Center.
Ref: https://www.psychologytoday.com
