CAC Brings Awareness to Mental Health Awareness Month
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During the month of May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health, hoping to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families!
Why do we promote Mental Health Awareness Month?
According to Youth.gov, mental health awareness month started back in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, as well as celebrate recovery from mental health illness.
It all started in the twentieth century when Clifford W. Beers, a recent Yale graduate, suffered his first episode of bipolar disorder after his brother fell ill and passed away. After surviving a suicide attempt, they sent Beers to multiple public and private hospitals where he saw firsthand the cruel and unusual treatment people suffering from mental illness received. Beers himself was subject to a straightjacket for 21 consecutive nights.
After they released him, Beers wrote an autobiography exposing the treatment patients with mental illness experienced. In 1909 Beer, along with a philosopher and a psychiatrist, created the National Committee for Mental Hygiene, which eventually turned into what we know today as Mental Health America.
Mental Health and COVID
During this time of Covid-19, mental health is more important than ever. The change from everyday normal life to wearing masks and social distancing has been detrimental to this nation’s mental health. According to the Center of Disease Control, 31 percent of adults reported suffering from anxiety and depression in June 2020, and eleven percent seriously considered suicide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) speculated in 2020 that “the measures such as self isolation and quarantine have affected usual activities, routines and livelihoods of people that may lead to an increase in loneliness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, harmful alcohol, and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal behavior.”
Besides being forced to spend time by ourselves, covid-19 has affected the jobs of millions of Americans. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the 16.9 million people unemployed in July 2020, 9.6 million could not work because their employer closed or lost business because of the pandemic. No matter the age, losing a job can be damaging in more ways than one, specifically when it comes to mental health.
According to the American Psychological Association, “the mental health impacts of today’s job losses are likely to be significant, given a large body of research showing that unemployment is linked to anxiety, depression and loss of life satisfaction, among other negative outcomes.”
Carl Van Horn, PhD, a professor of public, workforce and unemployment policies at Rutgers University says, “losing a job and being unemployed for a long period of time is a psychological trauma and a financial trauma, and the two are closely intertwined.”
Organizational psychologist at the University of Minnesota Connie Wanberg, PhD, says work provides us time structure. “It provides us purpose and also provides us social interactions with others, Wanberg says. “When you lose all that, it creates a lot of difficulties for people.”
So what can we at CAC do to help combat the rise in mental health crises?
Mental Health and Cannabis
According to the Drug Policy Alliance, “emerging evidence indicates that psychiatric patients who try marijuana show significant improvements in symptoms and clinical outcomes (such as lower mortality rates and better cognitive functioning) compared with those who have not.”
In 2019, Gallop did a study on the use of cannabis in the United States. The study found nationwide cannabis sales increased 67 percent in 2020. The results also showed that 12 percent of Americans are active marijuana users and 14 percent of Americans currently use CBD. Of those 14 percent, 40 percent use CBD for pain and 20 percent for anxiety.
Here at Commonwealth Alternative Care, we are proud to provide cannabis and CBD to patients combating mental health. Our budtenders are trained to help patients find specific strains that work best for them. The following are our current strains and how they help combat mental health symptoms. Keep in mind we are not doctors and everybody is different. These strains may or may not provide relief to you.
STRAINS FOR DEPRESSION: NF1, Chemdawg, Banana Punch, Cinderella 99, Cherry O.G, G.A.S, GG #4, Jilly Bean, Orange Cookies x MAC, Rosaberry, Sour Diesel x Animal Cookies, Swamp Dog, Unbroken Chain, Ayahuasca Gold, Bandana Bruce, Gelato Kush, Jilly Breath XX, NF Kush Cake, Northern Gorilla, Medicine Man, Crescendo, Deep Line Alchemy #6, GMO x MAC, LA Kush Cake, Lava Breath, Orange Apricot x MAC, Mac & Cheese, Peppermint Kush, Blueberry Punch Cake, Hash Plant D, Watermelon Gelato, Animal Crunch Berries, MAC Dawg, Pink Snowman, 88 G13 x Hash Plant x Northern Lights #1.
STRAINS FOR ANXIETY: Dionysus, Chemdawg, Banana Punch, Cinderella 99, Cherry O.G, G.A.S, GG#4, Jilly Bean, Orange Cookies x MAC, Rosaberry, Sour Diesel x Animal Cookies, Swamp Dog, Unbroken Chain, ACDC, Ayahuasca Gold, Bandana Bruce, Gelato Kush, Crescendo, Deep Line Alchemy #6, GMO x MAC, LA Kush Cake, Lava Breath, Mac & Cheese, Orange Apricot x MAC, Peppermint Kush, 88 G13 x Hash Plant x Northern Lights #1, Blueberry Punch Cake, Hash Plant D, Watermelon Gelato, Jilly Breath XX, NF Kush Cake, Northern Gorilla, Animal Crunch Berries, Blueberry Punch Cake.
STRAINS FOR BIPOLAR: Chemdawg, Banana Punch, Cherry O.G, GG#4, Orange Cookies x MAC, Sour Diesel x Animal Cookies, Swamp Dog, Unbroken Chain, Bandanna Bruce, Medicine Man, 88 G13 x Hash Plant x Northern Lights #1, GMO x MAC, Blueberry Punch Cake, Animal Crunch Berries, MAC Dawg, Pink Snowman.
STRAINS FOR PTSD: NF1, Chemdawg, Banana Punch, Jilly Bean, Orange Cookies x MAC, Sour Diesel x Animal Cookies, Swamp Dog, ACDC, Ayahuasca Gold, Bandanna Bruce, Jilly Breath XX, NF Kush Cake, Northern Gorilla, Medicine Man, 88 G13 x Hash Plant x Northern Lights #1, GMO x MAC, Lava Breath, MAC Dawg, Pink Snowman.
What makes these strains good for mental illness?
We know the relationship between terpenes and cannabinoids as the entourage effect, which ultimately differentiates one strain of cannabis from another. Below are the terpenes and how each one contributes to mental health.
Myrcene: The most prevalent terpene and is found in most varieties of cannabis. Myrcene concentration dictates whether a strain will have an indica or sativa effect. Strains containing over 0.5% of myrcene produce a more sedative high, while strains containing less than 0.5% myrcene may have a more energizing effect. Potential Medicinal Value: Treatment of insomnia, pain, inflammation. Also found in mangos, lemongrass, thyme and hops.
Pinene: The chemical compound gives distinctive earthy aromas of pine, the earthy smell you would expect in a forest. Pinene is the most common naturally occurring terpenoid and acts both as an anti-inflammatory and a bronchodilator. Potential medicinal value: treatment of asthma, pain, ulcers, anxiety, cancer. Also found in pine needles, rosemary, basil, parsley and dill.
Caryophyllene: The only terpene known to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Best known for its spicy and peppery notes. It may produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Potential medicinal value: treatment of anxiety, depression, inflammation and pain. Also found in black pepper, cloves and cinnamon.
Terpinolene: Characterized by a fresh, piney, floral, herbal and occasionally citrusy aroma and flavor. It is found in a variety of other pleasantly fragrant plants. Terpinolene is found most commonly in sativa-dominant strains. Potential medicinal value: antioxidant, sedative, antibacterial, antifungal. Also found in nutmeg, tea tree, apples, cumin, lilacs.
Humulene: A fairly common terpene and is present in modest quantities in a variety of cannabis strains. It’s partially responsible for giving the plant its distinct spicy, herbaceous and subtly floral bouquet of aromas. This terpene may act as an appetite suppressant and exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. Potential medicinal value: antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Also found in cops, coriander, cloves and basil.
Linalool: Gives a floral scent reminiscent of spring flowers but with spicy overtones. It possesses sedative properties and may be an effective anxiety and stress reliever. It may also be used as a pain reliever and anti-epileptic. Potential medicinal value: treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, inflammation, neurodegeneration. Also found in lavender.
Limonene: Limonene is a dominant terpene in strains with a pronounced effect. It is also found in the rinds of citrus fruits. Limonene aids in the absorption of other terpenes through the skin and mucous membranes, and has been used to treat anxiety and depression. Potential medicinal value: treatment of anxiety, depression, inflammation and pain. Also found in fruit rinds, rosemary, juniper and peppermint.
Employee / Patient Testimonials
“Marijuana has helped my bipolar 2 by keeping my mania calm and in check” - Marissa G., Patient Sales Agent
“I have a condition called Gastroparesis. Before I had my medical card I was on 12 different medications. My doctor recommended I get [my medical card] originally for managing my day to day pain symptoms but we also noticed that because my anxiety wasn’t as consistent (due to the marijuana) neither were my flare ups. I don’t think I’ve been in remission of a flare longer than six months until after I started regularly medicating” - Erin W., Social Media Manager
“When I was 21 I was diagnosed with clinical depression. I started using prescription medication which did not work, but after a year on them I decided I wanted to try a more holistic approach to treat my depression without having to depend on medication. At this time I was not using cannabis, so I decided to give it a try and I haven’t needed to be on my antidepressants since! I can’t say that it’s cured my depression, but it definitely makes it easier to get through the rougher days when I do have them, and it makes the good days even better!” - CAC Patient
“I’ve had PTSD for years. My traumatic memories come up out of the blue sometimes, however most of the time they creep up at the end of the day. Moments like these leave me feeling paralyzed by memories and in some cases, so restless that I am unable to sleep. Getting my medical card and trying specific strains helped keep the memories and stress at bay and helps ease me into sleep every night when nothing else would work. -Samantha D., Sales Floor Lead
SOURCES
https://www.mhanational.org/our-history
https://www.mhanational.org/issues/current-mental-health-legislation
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/10/toll-job-loss
https://drugpolicy.org/does-marijuana-negatively-impact-mental-health
https://flowhub.com/cannabis-industry-statistics