Is CBD Oil effective for Depression?

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    In this article, you will learn about the potential uses of Cannabidiol (CBD) oil for treating depression and anxiety. For many years, researchers have been trying to identify what compounds in hemp or cannabis can help people feel less anxious or depressed. The first use of CBD in clinical research was back in the 1930s when scientists used it to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. Since then, there has been a rise in scientific studies that examine how CBD affects human health. In fact, according to recent data published by the Alcohol Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI), THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower doses and increase anxiety at higher doses. CBD appears to decrease anxiety at all doses that have been tested. The different effects of THC and CBD on anxiety may be due to the fact that they act on different parts of the brain. THC binds to the CB1 receptor, which is mostly found in the brain. CBD binds to the CB2 receptor, which is mostly found in the immune system. Therefore, THC may affect emotions and cognition, while CBD may affect immunity and inflammation. The main psychoactive compound in marijuana is THC—a substance also found in large quantities in industrial hemp plants. However, most hemp grown today is genetically modified to produce much higher concentrations of CBD than THC for market value reasons. In addition to its calming effects, it has also been found that CBD can help with issues such as low appetite, poor sleep, chronic pain, and even acne problems. Read on to learn more about what we know so far about the effectiveness of CBD oil for treating depression and anxiety.

    What Is CBD Oil And How Does It Work

    Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that has many beneficial effects on the human body. It is also used as an ingredient in CBD oil, which has been found to be beneficial for the treatment of various conditions such as anxiety, depression and more. Cannabidiol has been termed as a “super-herbal” medicine because it’s a versatile supplement that can be used in various ways to improve your health. For example, CBD oil may help with issues related to sleep, chronic pain and acne problems. CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates a variety of bodily functions. Through this interaction, CBD is thought to provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Additionally, CBD is known to modulate the activity of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and GABA. This action may help to explain why CBD is effective in treating anxiety and improving mood.

    The Benefits Of CBD Oil For Depression

    There are several benefits to using CBD oil for treating depression and anxiety that we have already touched upon. Most notably, it is able to treat behavioural symptoms such as:

    • Insomnia
    • Social withdrawal
    • Fatigue
    • Loss of appetite

    This makes CBD oil a perfect alternative treatment option for people suffering from depression or anxiety. And, because CBD has no high like THC, it is safer to use than traditional anti-depressants. In fact, the AMA states that “Cannabis products appear to be very effective for treating various types of depression and anxiety” in their article on the potential uses of cannabis for mental health disorders.

    How To Use CBD Oil For Depression

    If you have depression or anxiety and are looking for a natural alternative to prescription drugs, CBD oil might be the answer. For many people, the side effects of these drugs can be harmful to their physical health and mental well-being. If you’re looking for a substance that’s not as likely to cause side effects such as nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, irritability and weight gain—and has even been shown to help relieve pain—CBD oil is a great option. When used properly, CBD oil is not psychoactive or addictive in any way. It does not get you high or alter your state of mind. There is no risk of overdose with CBD oil because it does not contain THC. The only negative aspect about using CBD oil for depression is that it will interact with other medications you may be taking. In order to use this method effectively, it’s important that you speak with your doctor first and make sure they know all the medications you are currently taking before using CBD oil.

    In General CBD is consumed in various ways. The most common way is to drop it under your tongue, waiting for at least 60 seconds before swallowing. This method is called sublingual consumption. You could also add CBD oil to your favorite food or drink. It’s important to remember that CBD oil is not water-soluble, so it might separate from your beverage. Just give it a good stir before consuming.

    CBD oil can also be taken in capsule form. This is a great option for those who don’t like the taste of CBD oil or for those who want to make sure they are getting a precise amount of CBD. Capsules are also easy to take with you on the go, making maintaining dosages a breeze.

    Side Effects Of CBD Oil

    CBD oil is becoming more popular and is even being used to treat a variety of mental health issues. There are, however, some side effects associated with CBD consumption, as many people find that it can cause anxiety or other mood problems. For instance, one study found that CBD oil affects the brain’s response to sensory stimuli in ways that might be problematic for users. The study suggests that CBD can reduce brain activity in the areas associated with happiness, memory, and self-control which could lead to depression. Another problem with using CBD oil for depression treatment is the potential for addiction. Those who use cannabis frequently may end up developing a tolerance for its effects; thus, they need more and more of it to feel the same sense of well-being. This drives them back to using cannabis as a chemical crutch in order to get through life without having any negative feelings about themselves or their lives. Some people also find they want marijuana after they stop taking it because they miss its calming effect on them. Finally, there can be an issue of withdrawal if you stop taking CBD oil suddenly after years of daily use. You may experience symptoms like depression, lethargy, and headaches when you try to stop taking your medication abruptly. In order to decrease these chances of withdrawal symptoms while quitting cannabis use, it may be best practice to gradually taper off your dosage over time or take a break from marijuana by cutting back on how often you ingest it.

    Dosage Of CBD Oil For Depression

    A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that CBD oil, when used in combination with therapy, was shown to be an effective treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The researchers found that CBD was able to decrease depressive symptoms in these patients significantly and was safe at the recommended doses. Another study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that a single dose of CBD oil increased neurotrophic factor levels in rat brains by 18 percent. The dosage of CBD oil needed to treat depression depends on many different factors, such as how severe your depression is, how much you weigh, your age, and other health conditions you may have. It’s also important to remember that not all types of CBD oils are made equal. There are many different strengths and varieties of this oil on the market including; some that contain THC, some that don’t and even ones that are mixed with cannabis terpenes like myrcene or limonene. These compounds can have completely different effects on the body than pure CBD oil does.

    Conclusion

    CBD oil is still new and appears to be effective for depression in initial studies, but it is not always effective for everyone. It can be helpful in alleviating symptoms of depression and increasing the quality of life for those struggling with the condition, but it is not a cure. So should be used in conjunction with traditional methods of treating depression such as seeing a Psychiatrist.

    Posted in