CBD’s potential to reduce pain and promote relaxation has drawn a lot of interest in recent years. It has gained a lot of popularity as an anxiety treatment, and new studies indicate that it might also assist with depression.
Continue reading to find out more about CBD’s effects on depression, safety concerns, and what the research says about it.
What is CBD?
The cannabis sativa plant, commonly known as hemp or marijuana, contains over 400 different compounds, among them cannabidiol, or CBD for short. Cannabis also contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive ingredient.
Despite coming from the same plant, THC and CBD have somewhat different effects. Feelings of exhilaration, relaxation, and increased hunger can be brought on by THC. The less noticeable effects of CBD include pain reduction and relaxation.
According to recent research, CBD may be used to treat a number of illnesses, including:
Research suggests that CBD may help treat some mental health conditions, too, including:
How CBD help depression?
There is currently some evidence to suggest that CBD can alleviate depression.
Research has indicated that CBD may change the brain’s serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for emotion control, stress, and mood.One family of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) also acts by changing serotonin levels in the brain.
Current research on CBD and depression?
Several research studies have looked at whether CBD can help with depression:
- A 2019 study examined CBD’s effects on depression among male and female rats. The researchers had rats consume 30mg/kg of CBD and then evaluated their coping abilities while completing a test. The researchers concluded that CBD helped reduce helplessness in the rats, which is a common symptom of depression.
- A 2020 study exposed rats to various stressors while treating them with CBD over a 28-day period. The researchers evaluated the rats for depression and anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure) and found that CBD helped decrease these symptoms.
- A 2018 study of medical cannabis users had them track their symptoms and doses and then analyzed these results. The study revealed that cannabis helped reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Users reported a 50% reduction in symptoms of depression. The researchers also found that a high amount of CBD (>9.5%) and low amount of THC (<5.5%) produced the largest improvements in depression.
- A 2019 case study of an adolescent with multiple substance use disorders, depression, and anxiety found that CBD treatment over an 8-week period resulted in a decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms. The person was also able to attain abstinence from all substances and stop taking antidepressant medications.
All things considered, the study on CBD appears to point toward its potential benefits in lowering depression. On the other hand, the number of published studies on CBD as a depression treatment in humans is quite low. Therefore, more investigation is required to determine with certainty whether CBD treats depression.
Are there any side effects of CBD?
CBD is generally regarded as safe for human use. However, it has the same potential for negative effects as other drugs and supplements. Among these adverse effects are:
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
Certain individuals should not take CBD, such as those with liver problems and expectant or nursing mothers. Additionally, it is dangerous to combine CBD with several drugs, particularly those that have an impact on the liver. Consult your physician before taking CBD together with any medication.
Can I use CBD with antidepressants?
It’s possible that your psychiatrist or healthcare provider will approve of you using CBD products concurrently with your depression prescription.
CBD, however, should not be taken in conjunction with carbamazepine (Tegretol), an anti-seizure drug that is occasionally used to treat bipolar disorder. This is because using CBD with this medication may make negative effects more likely.
How to take CBD for mental health benefits?
CBD is available in several different forms including:
- Oils
- Vapor
- Nasal sprays
- Capsules
- Edibles
- Creams
The most popular way to use these items is with CBD oils.You can put the oils under your tongue or include them into drinks like coffee or tea. Edibles and capsules are two more well-liked forms of CBD for depression.
Those looking for depression treatment might want to look at products with a low THC content (<5.5%) and a high concentration of CBD (>9.5%) for the best results. Regrettably, there aren’t any recommendations now regarding how much CBD should be taken to treat depression.
Consult your healthcare practitioner for further details regarding the appropriate dosage and if CBD is a useful treatment option for you.
Is CBD addictive ?
Addiction is the inability to stop consuming a substance in spite of negative consequences in one’s life and difficulties in abstaining from it. Pure CBD doesn’t make you feel “high,” in contrast to the psychoactive ingredient THC in marijuana. Furthermore, the World Health Organization states that there is no proof linking CBD to abuse, dependence, or issues with public health.
However, CBD products may contain THC, which has the potential to be addictive, even though pure CBD is not thought to be an addictive chemical. This is so because the FDA does not monitor these goods since they are marketed as supplements. Ask your healthcare professional if CBD is good for you if you’re worried about its potential for addiction.
Summary
Research on CBD suggests that it might be a useful treatment for depression, but further studies are required to get a firm conclusion and determine the right dosage.
Most people agree that CBD is non-addictive and harmless. However, it can have adverse effects and should be avoided if you have a liver problem, are pregnant or nursing, or taking certain drugs.