Is marijuana a tranquilizer? – The fresh toast

This article originally appeared on Jointly and has been republished with permission.

Are you looking for answers to the question, “Is marijuana a sedative?” If you’ve ever felt drowsy or sedated after using cannabis, you may have wondered, “Is weed a sedative?”

This article answers the questions “What is a sedative?”, “Is weed a sedative?”, and “Is cannabis a CNS depressant?”. We’ll also discuss whether weed is on the up or down and why this is such a common question.

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What is a depressant?

Sedatives are drugs that slow down brain activity. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation defines a depressant as a class of drug that decreases stimulation and arousal. Basically, depressants “do not directly reduce arousal in the brain; They increase the activity of a neurotransmitter that reduces arousal in the brain.” That neurotransmitter is GABA. In mammals, GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, and their balance controls “the general level of arousal in the brain.”

Depressants work by increasing the activity of GABA, which has “a calming effect on anxiety and acute stress responses.” Sedatives can have a range of effects, from sedation to drowsiness and “progressively extending to sleep, unconsciousness, coma, surgical anesthesia, and … fatal respiratory and cardiovascular depression.”

Fortunately, cannabis does not lead to fatal respiratory and cardiovascular depression. If you want to know why you can’t fatally overdose on weed, read this. Some common tranquilizers include alcohol, prescription benzodiazepines like Xanax, prescription sleep aids like Ambien, and cannabis.

Is Marijuana a Sedative or an Antidepressant?

Many people wonder if marijuana is a tranquilizer or an antidepressant. That makes sense, since doctors in some states can recommend medical marijuana to patients suffering from depression. Additionally, animal studies indicate that cannabinoids like THC may have antidepressant effects. However, cannabis can help you relax or fall asleep. The sedative effects of cannabis suggest that it also acts as a sedative. So, is cannabis a tranquilizer or an antidepressant?

If you remember, the definition of a tranquilizer is a drug that slows down brain activity, which is why tranquilizers are also called central nervous system depressants or CNS depressants. The opposite of a depressant is not an antidepressant but a stimulant or drug that increases CNS activity.

RELATED: Does Marijuana Lower the Effects of Antidepressants?

Basically, an antidepressant is defined as “anything, especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression.” For example, SSRIs and MAOIs are two classes of antidepressants with different mechanisms of action. SSRIs affect serotonin levels by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into the synapse, while MAOIs block the breakdown of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

In the United States, cannabis is illegal at the federal level and is classified as a Schedule I drug with no medical use. As a result, the FDA does not consider cannabis a treatment for depression. Please note that we do not advise anyone to substitute cannabis for prescription drugs. Anyone who feels they are suffering from depression should consult their doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

RELATED: Microdosing Marijuana for Depression: What to Expect

The question “is marijuana a sedative or an antidepressant” is based on the misconception that sedatives and antidepressants are opposites. Depressants refer to a drug’s effect on the CNS, not how it affects mood. In fact, many tranquilizers induce euphoria. So is weed a tranquilizer? Let’s find out if marijuana is a high or a downer.

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Is weed a tranquilizer?

The answer to the question “Is weed a depressant?” is “Yes, cannabis is a CNS depressant at some doses.” Cannabis is a biphasic drug. For an in-depth discussion of this idea, see Does Weed Help With Stress? Remember how GABA and glutamate levels determine overall brain arousal? Cannabis is known to significantly increase GABA levels. However, cannabis also increases glutamate and dopamine, meaning weed is also a stimulant.

Is weed an upper or a downer?

Obviously, the answer to the question “is weed a plus or minus” is a bit complicated. Cannabis is both an uptrend and a downtrend. There is no easy answer to this, which is why this question has persisted through the years. Aside from the effects of THC, there are other compounds in cannabis that can calm you down. For example, if you consume a strain with moderate to high levels of myrcene, linalool, or terpineol terpenes, you can experience calming and sedative effects. As we discussed in Is Cannabis Good for Sleep, medical textbooks have historically classified cannabis as a hypnotic and a tranquilizer, two types of drugs that are tranquilizers. In short, cannabis is a tranquilizer.

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Sam is an award-winning screenwriter of Are You Glad I’m Here on Amazon Prime. His passions include helping people understand purposeful cannabis use. He is Content Director at Jointly, a cannabis wellness company powered by a proprietary data platform to help people reach their full potential. The company was founded on the premise that purposeful cannabis use is the key to a better you.