Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental health problems that may have lasting consequences on your health, social life, ability to work, and general well-being.
Your doctor may prescribe medication that will help you to cure or manage depression. Many of these drugs have severe side effects, such as mood swings, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.
If this has happened to you, you may be considering CBD for your depression symptoms. The question is, does CBD actually work for depression?
Let's dive into the topic with this article!
CBD has shown promise in early studies as a treatment for depression and anxiety and may have fewer side effects in some people.
The 2014 survey results can help explain why CBD could be beneficial in treating depression. They show that, in most studies, CBD has a positive interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain.
Serotonin affects various bodily functions, including emotional state and a sense of well-being or happiness of a person. Maintaining a balance of serotonin levels is often a necessary treatment for people with depression.
Animal model tests provided some evidence of using CBD in treating depression.
According to 2014 review authors, the results of various studies show that CBD acts as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety compound in animal models of depression.
The authors of a 2018 review also noted that many studies have demonstrated CBD antistress and antidepressant activity in animal models.
The compound has a visible antistress effect after short-term or long-term use. In some tests, CBD acted as an antidepressant.
The authors also found that the compound works without the direct activation of endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, which may indicate a lower risk of CBD becoming addictive or becoming a habit.
This is crucial because many people are concerned about the potential dependence on antidepressants and cannabis compounds.
In a 2018 study, scientists reported that CBD promised as a fast-acting antidepressant.
Most CBD research is carried out on animals first requiring more direct research on humans before definitive claims can be verified. These initial results are an essential step in establishing CBD as a research tool for humans functioning in the body.
Some human studies indicate that CBD may assist other conditions commonly associated with depression, such as anxiety or panic disorder.
A CBD test for panic disorder in 2017 has shown positive results.
According to the authors, a panic attack affects about 5% of the world's population and causes unexpected and recurring panic attacks.
According to a study in the journal, in human models, a single dose of 300 milligrams (mg) of CBD resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety levels after a simulated public speaking test.
Others found that 600 mg of CBD resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety measures in people with a social anxiety disorder.
What is Depression?
Depression is classified as a mood disorder. Most describe this as a feeling of sadness, loss, or anger that interferes with a person's daily activities.
A trusted source of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 8.1% of adult Americans over age 20 suffered from depression over the two weeks 2013 to 2016.
People suffer from depression in different ways. This can interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and reduced productivity. It can also affect relationships and some chronic illnesses.
Conditions that may be aggravated by depression include diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer.
What Causes Depression?
We cannot pinpoint exactly what causes depression, as there are various factors involved, but some commonalities in patients include:
Biological Differences: It seems that depressed people have physical changes in the brain. The importance of these changes is still uncertain but can help determine the cause.
Brain Chemistry: Neurotransmitters are natural chemicals in the brain that can play a role in depression. Neurotransmitters and how their neurocircuits react play a role in depression.
Hormones: Changes in the hormonal balance of the body may be involved in initiating or initiating depression. Hormone changes after pregnancy and postpartum due to the thyroid, menopausal, or other conditions.
Heritability: Depression is more common in people whose blood also has this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that can cause depression.
Treatment Options for Depression
Drugs and psychotherapy are sufficient for most people with depression. Your family doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medication to relieve the symptoms.
However, many depressed people also have an interest in seeing a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or another mental health expert. Just make such you make a visit to your doctor for more advice on the best treatment option for the symptoms.
While CBD is not a cure for any disease, it has been shown to help with symptoms you may be experiencing. If you want relief and think CBD may be a solution for you, be sure to check out Mana Artisan Botanics™
Medical Treatment
Many types of antidepressants, including those listed, are available. You should discuss any significant side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.
These include; Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Atypical antidepressants, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and Tricyclic antidepressants.
Alternative Treatment
For some people, other methods, sometimes referred to as brain stimulation therapy, may be suggested:
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). In ECT, electrical currents go through the brain to influence the function and effects of a neurotransmitter in your brain to relieve depression. ECT is commonly used in people who do not improve with medicines that cannot take antidepressants for health reasons or who are at a high risk of suicide.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which may be an option for those who did not respond to antidepressants. During TMS, the healing bandage on your scalp sends short magnetic impulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain that contribute to mood control and depression.
CBD Treatment
Many people decide to take CBD directly using a variety of tinctures, capsules, and oils, but there are many varieties of products one might choose.
CBD may be more effective when you use it regularly.
There appears to be no risk of developing an addiction to CBD, so long-term use may be safe for most people.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate natural additives such as CBD, so it is crucial to only buy products which have 3rd party Lab testing to ensure you know exactly what is in it.
How CBD Can Treat Depression Symptoms
Although depression may rarely occur in one's lifetime, people usually experience multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur all throughout the day, almost daily, and may include:
- Feelings of sadness, tears, gaps
- Stubborn rage, irritability or frustration, even in a small matter.
- Losing interest or pleasure in most, if not all of the usual activities, such as sex, recreation or sports
- Sleep disorders, including insomnia or excessive sleep
- Tiredness and lack of energy and even small tasks require extra effort
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased desire and weight gain
- Anxiety.
- Reduced movements of thought, speech, or body.
- Feeling of worthlessness or guilt, pointing to past failures or guilty
- Difficulties in thinking, concentrating, making decisions or remembering things
- Inexplicable physical ailments, such as back pain or headaches
- Frequent or recurring suicidal thoughts, thoughts of death, or suicide attempts
Due to lack of research, scientists do not know how CBD oil can help treat issues like depression. Some studies suggest that cannabidiol, apart from affecting the endocannabinoid system, may also affect receptors involved in serotonin modulation (a chemical believed to affect happiness).
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What's the CBD Dosage for Depression?
Based on widespread anecdotal evidence only, the standard CBD dosage recommendation may depend on your body weight. Start with 1 to 6 mg for every 10 pounds of body weight.
We've built a calculator for you so that you can find the lowest starting dose for your body weight below:
The above dosage recommendation is general and merely a suggestion. Your case may differ in that you may need a lot more, while others may need a lot less. Please consult with your physician before supplementing your treatment with CBD.
FINAL THOUGHTS
CBD is a powerful compound that gains popularity as alternative medicine.
Although there is promising evidence for the future use of CBD as antidepressants, further research on humans needs to be made to ascertain whether they are safe or effective.
If you are interested in using CBD in the treatment of depression, you should talk to your doctor about how to use it and the risk of interaction with other medicines.