Marijuana, an anti-depressant?

[darawk]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

So often the "link" between marijuana and increased depression is cited by the DEA and other anti-drug crusaders...but i've never even seen this little gem reported.

[augentier]

Hmm...Cannabis helped SWIM gain confidence in herself in a lot of ways at first, but after chronic use it has made her realize how else she needs to change herself, thus making her more depressed. Tough call these days

[The Doors]

Marijuana helped SWIM go through his depression and actually made him realize things on many levels, therefore being able to get out of that depressive state of mind!

[enquirewithin]

Marijuana/ cannabis helps people relax and transcend their daily troubles for a while. For most people, it can be an anti-depressant, as this extract states.

Daily users reported less depressed mood and more positive affect than non-users.

Heavy use could well result in users being unable to motivate themselves to get things done, which might increase depression for some.

Separate analyses for medical vs. recreational users demonstrated that medical users reported more depressed mood and more somatic complaints than recreational users, suggesting that medical conditions clearly contribute to depression scores and should be considered in studies of marijuana and depression.

This is significant. In other words, it is not the marijuana which is causing depression but other factors.

[BetteNoir]

Swim is totally into pre-ventative medicine and swim heard and has read that many use Mary J after work and on weekend to relax from work and the daily grind ,which helps stave off depression .Swim also noticed and read that if other swimmers go to Doc ,Doc quickly takes Rxing Anti Ds as route to cure ,Swim thinks this is not a good approach ,If someone goes to Doc and say "I don't feel very energetic or I'm sad for more that 3 day s in a row ,this is not a automatic need for Anti depressants ,other methods non drug should be looked at first .,Swim find overrxing Anti D is world wide with North America in the Fore front .
Many people of all walks of life use Mary J as a way to relax and have for many years ,swim does not but sees no problem at all ,swim see less problems with swimmers that use Mary J as prevention then Alcohol
Anyone else see it as preventative ?