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Cannabis vs. SSRIs: How Do They Compare?
If you’ve ever wondered whether cannabis might be a natural viable alternative to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of medication commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety, you probably have a number of questions about how the two options compare.
While cannabis and SSRIs share many similarities, they work by distinct mechanisms and have different effects and benefits. Whereas cannabis works by supporting your body and mind in a holistic way through your endocannabinoid system, SSRIs work by specifically reducing the reuptake of serotonin.
Either option may be effective for you, depending on your needs. In this article, we’re giving you a comprehensive breakdown of how the two options compare.
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What is Cannabis?
Cannabis sativa is a plant that renders a variety of therapeutic benefits and psychoactive effects when consumed. People have consumed cannabis for thousands of years, but it’s recently become more widely used in the United States due to it becoming more broadly legal.
Its broadening legalization has come in large part because of its therapeutic benefits, especially when used as an alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals.
Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of forms and methods, but the most common cannabis product is raw dried flower that people roll into joints and smoke. Cannabis vapes and edibles are two other widely-used products.
While research on cannabis as a medicine is still ongoing, preliminary studies suggest it may promote mental relaxation and physical comfort. As a result, many people have turned to it to supplement or even replace SSRIs.
What Are SSRIs?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of medication commonly prescribed for anxiety.
They work by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with feelings of calmness and well-being. SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin that stays between your nerve endings, thereby promoting these feelings.
Given their status as prescriptions, SSRIs are typically only used by people who have been clinically diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders (SSRIs are also prescribed for other uses, but these conditions represent the majority of their use).
Cannabis vs. SSRIs: Differences & Similarities
Here’s a look at how cannabis and SSRIs compare:
Mechanism of action
Cannabis works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system, while SSRIs work by preventing the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a receptor network in your body that regulates a variety of bodily functions, including mood, sleep, pain, and inflammation. Cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), bind to the receptors in your ECS.
By this mechanism, cannabis helps your ECS regulate your mind and body, thereby promoting calming and relaxation.
SSRIs work on a much more specific bodily system: your neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters travel between neurons, rendering sensations and regulating mental and physical sensations. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter commonly associated with feelings of well-being; a deficiency of serotonin may lead to anxiety or depression.
SSRIs inhibit the reuptake of serotonin by your neurons. By keeping this neurotransmitter between your neurons and increasing its levels in your brain, SSRIs may lead to a more relaxed mood.
Effects & benefits
Cannabis flower, which is typically high in both THC and CBD, renders feelings of euphoria, physical relaxation, and mental relaxation. The specific effects will depend on the strain, but cannabis is psychoactive and generally relaxing.
Cannabis extracts like Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) contain high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, thereby rendering very strong therapeutic effects. Medical users typically calculate their RSO dosage or other cannabis product dosage very precisely to produce the level of effects they need.
SSRIs, on the other hand, also render very noticeable effects and may also be psychoactive, depending on the dose. However, SSRIs tend to be stronger in terms of mental effects while not rendering as much physical relaxation.
Because cannabis interacts with your ECS, which regulates every vital function your body uses for moment-to-moment functioning, it has a wide range of benefits. Research suggests cannabis may have benefits for anxiety, stress, sleep, pain, inflammation, appetite, and more.
SSRIs interact more narrowly with a mood-related neurotransmitter in your body, so they tend to be used for a smaller range of conditions. SSRIs are the first-line treatment for conditions like major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Side effects & risks
Both cannabis and SSRIs have short- and long-term side effects, but the drawbacks of SSRIs tend to be more pronounced.
Side effects of cannabis include dry mouth, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and anxiety/paranoia (more common with high-THC products). Long term, cannabis use can lead to dependency if it’s relied on too heavily.
SSRIs may cause short term side effects like nausea, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, insomnia, and emotional numbing. Long term, SSRIs create the risk of dependence-like withdrawal symptoms, even though they aren’t technically addictive.
SSRIs are more scientifically proven than cannabis is, but they also tend to pose more health risks than their natural counterpart.
Want to talk?
At My LA Therapy, our warm and experienced anxiety therapy experts offer research-based, personalized care.
Best use cases
Based on its effects and benefits, cannabis is best if your symptoms are milder and you prefer natural wellness options. It’s a good alternative if more traditional methods haven’t worked for you, and it’s also a great option if you need fast acting effects.
SSRIs, on the other hand, are best if you have a moderate to severe, clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression-related condition and prefer a more evidence-based treatment with highly predictable results.
Legality & availability
Cannabis is federally illegal in the US (Schedule I), but is legal for medical and recreational use in many states. Additionally, hemp, a variant of cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC, is federally legal and legal in most states.
Despite the relatively high availability of cannabis, its quality isn’t standardized; you have to shop carefully to ensure you’re getting high-quality products that will render therapeutic benefits.
SSRIs are federally legal, but only available through prescription. They’re an FDA-approved medication class that’s frequently prescribed for people with clinically-diagnosed anxiety or depression disorders.
Can You Take Cannabis & SSRIs Together?
While cannabis and SSRIs can both play a role in your wellness plan, doctors typically don’t recommend taking them at the same time.
Taking cannabis with SSRIs can:
- Alter SSRI metabolism via liver enzyme inhibition, causing potentially harmful buildups of the SSRIs in the body
- Blunt or amplify the effects of either substance, thereby creating unexpected effects or reducing the efficacy of each
This is not to say that mixing cannabis and SSRIs never makes sense: it may under very specific conditions and when done in a controlled manner. However, you should always speak to your doctor before combining the two.
Conclusion: Which Option is Right For You?
When it comes to anxiety or depression, SSRIs are the more proven option, but the research on cannabis is promising and uncovers new things every day.
Cannabis may provide an alternative to SSRIs with fewer side effects and more comprehensive wellness benefits for both the body and mind. Still, it’s not FDA-approved, so it should be used carefully in medical contexts.
Additionally, if you’re already taking prescriptions, it’s critical you speak with your doctor before using cannabis to ensure it won’t cause any negative interactions with your existing drugs or other parts of your treatment plan.
