Medical Cannabis: A Plausible Replacement for Current Anxiety and Depression Medications

Presenter: Alyssa Reese, MD student at the University at Buffalo

This video was submitted as part of the STEM for Everyone initiative hosted by the UB Women in STEM Cooperative (WISC) and UB Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE). Learn more at www.buffalo.edu/wise/stemforeveryone.

Abstract: The use of cannabis for the treatment of anxiety and depression has become an area of interest with the legalization of medical cannabis in the United States. As legalization becomes more widespread, an understanding of the effects of the replacement of anxiety and depression medication with medical cannabis is crucial for medical providers. This research seeks to provide a balanced representation of the effects of replacement of anxiety and depression medication with medical cannabis. In doing so, important overlaps between current anxiolytic, antidepressant, and medical cannabis medications will be explored to understand the scientific basis of replacing current therapies.