The use of medicinal cannabis as an alternative treatment for depressive disorders: integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to analyze, through an integrative review, the use and applicability of medicinal cannabis as a complementary treatment in patients with depression such as unipolar disorder. Methods: the research question was “Is it effective in using medicinal cannabis as a complementary method for treating patients with depression due to unipolar disorder?”. The databases used were PubMed and Portal Capes (published between 2018-2023), with the search strategy (Depression” OR “Psychic Symptoms”) AND (“Cannabidiol” OR “Cannabis”) AND (“Young Adult” OR “Adolescent” OR “Young”). Results: there is work that supports the use of cannabis as an alternative treatment for depression; the majority, however, affirm the ineffectiveness of the compound in improving depression, with some even demonstrating its harm. Positive results ranged from 34.8% to 53% of the sample. Conclusion: there is no rigorous consensus on the benefits and harms of the medicine, and new research in the area is necessary.