The Impact of Cannabis on Mental Health Disorders: A Literature Review

Abstract

The topic of cannabis has been a taboo subject since the War on Drugs began decades ago. The use of cannabis in the medical setting has become more and more prominent, as it has been found to have multiple helpful properties. Cannabis is also known as marijuana and these two terms may be used interchangeably throughout this paper. There are two components in cannabis that may be mentioned throughout this literature review. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is considered the psychoactive component, while Cannobidiol (CBD) is nonpsychoactive. Psychoactive substances are things that affect brain function and cause changes in mood, thoughts, and behaviors (National Institute, n.d). Although the research is limited, marijuana has been found to help people who are diagnosed with epilepsy, as well as people who suffer from chronic pain (Safakish et al., 2020).