Can CBD help depression? There are over 264 million people suffering from depression, according to the World Health Organization. They also note that most of the people grappling with depression also suffer from anxiety symptoms. To treat these two mental health conditions, people use CBD and antidepressants. However, antidepressants have several side effects, some of which are life-altering such as mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and sleeplessness. The difference between CBD oil and antidepressants is that CBD is a more natural and practically safe alternative. Have you ever heard of third party lab testing? No? Third-party lab tests are how compounds in CBD oil are tested by independent labs that have no interest in the CBD industry. The tests are rigorous, and they aim at distinguishing
the best CBD oil for depression and anxiety from the rest. Okay, now to our primary focus; does CBD help with depression and anxiety? Read on to find out.
Can CBD help treat depression?
To better understand if indeed you can use CBD oil for anxiety and depression, we must first understand the correlation between CBD oil and depression, the causes of depression and how CBD is used to curb them. Depression can be caused by a number of issues, including inflammation or trauma and chronic illnesses, which result in structural brain changes. People who suffer from depression can have a specific region (hippocampus) in their brain responsible for memory, emotion, and learning atrophy, and in severe situations, it may shrink. However, this part can recover through neural regeneration. Scientists believe that CBD helps protect and stimulate neural regeneration in the hippocampus. And they back it up with test results from both rodents and humans. A case
study (conducted on a child) published in 2016 confirmed the effectiveness of CBD in treating PTSD and sleep disorders. The use of CBD helped improve the child's sleep and reduced anxiety. So, yes! You should use CBD oil for depression and anxiety.
How to use CBD Oil for treating Anxiety and Depression
Now that you know it's advisable to use CBD for anxiety and depression, how do you go about it? There are
several CBD products available. You can opt for
full-spectrum CBD oils, CBD isolates, or broad-spectrum (which is a combination of full-spectrum and isolates) products. We cannot say that one product is superior to the other. However, you should know that a high-quality, broad-spectrum CBD product will enhance the entourage effect without any psychoactive effects. You take CBD oil by either placing a few drops in your mouth or mixing it with food.
How to find the Right Dosage
There isn't a one-size-fits-all dosage when it comes to CBD oil for depression. The correct dosage will depend on the person. Some factors are taken into consideration when
determining your CBD dosage including;
- Body mass
- Severity of condition
- Concentration of CBD
- Drug on drug interaction
Concerning the drug on drug interaction, the question would be: can you take CBD with antidepressants? Generally speaking, there is no risk associated with using CBD with antidepressants. However, some experts say that, though it's hypothetical and may not be a substantial cause of concern, CBD can interfere with how these medications are metabolized. To safely combine CBD with antidepressants, it is recommended that you seek medical advice. To minimize the risks, you will have to take a calculated approach. Doctors will initially recommend a small CBD oil dosage for depression, which will gradually increase over time if needed. This allows your body to get used to
the effects of CBD and decrease the antidepressant's dependency.
Is it Effective for Treating or Improving Mental Health?
Research shows that CBD does treat many diseases like cancer, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis anxiety, and depression. Plus, the FDA also approved the use of CBD to treat epilepsy. This explains the recent surge in popularity of CBD products, including tinctures, patches, and the more famous CBD oil, with over 14% of Americans admitting to using them. Several clinical trials illuminated the effectiveness of cannabidiol in treating social anxiety and reducing depressive episodes. The test subjects reported positive results after using CBD products. Opting for a CBD oil for depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses will, among other benefits, offer you a holistic approach for reducing manic episodes.
CBD for Anxiety and Depression: Risks and Side-Effects
Even the best CBD oil for depression has some significant disadvantages, which you should know. For one, you can only buy the in states where medical marijuana is legal.
Then there is no FDA-approved CBD product for the treatment of anxiety or depressive disorders. So when you see a "special CBD for bipolar depression", then you should be warry. Manufacturers can more or less put whatever they like on the labels. Remember, we mentioned third party testing? The tests analyze the terpene level, solvent contamination, presence of pesticides and heavy metals, and
THC potency. They will inform you of the exact amount of CBD in the product to avoid buying a product with too little or little CBD. Quality CBD is considered safe and has mild side effects, including dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, and sleep issues.
Best CBD for anxiety and depression
Apart from CBD oil, there are also CBD strains from hemp plants that can treat mental disorders. CBD strains for depression, though less common, are preferred by new entrants into the cannabis wellness program. A high CBD strain will deliver the same effect as a CBD oil would, meaning you will still avoid the anxious side effects of THC. Now that you know CBD will help treat depression, then what are you waiting for. You can opt to stop using antidepressants and settle for this natural remedy. Or use them co-currently if you wish. However, when you get the absolute best CBD for depression, you may never look back. You will treat the depression while still enjoying other benefits it offers to your body.
