What Are the Benefits of CBD for Depression?
Depression is no stranger to many people. In fact, according to the latest data, around 9 percent of Americans suffer from one type of depression or anxiety disorder. Studies have found that mental disorders can affect a person’s whole life, impacting their physical health and productivity.
Today with the advancement in psychological science, there are multiple ways to deal with mental disorders. However, still many people struggle to find a treatment that has more benefits than side effects.
Therefore, it’s now more essential than ever to find a natural alternative to ease the symptoms associated with depression. CBD, a relatively newfound compound, is now attracting much attention to its potential benefits for mental disorders.
But does CBD help with depression? And if so, is it safe to use? In this post, we’ll be addressing the important matter of CBD for depression, and we’ll see whether products like CBD Full Spectrum CBD Oil can be an effective alternative.
What Is CBD Oil?
For a long time, people have been using cannabis products to help improve the symptoms of anxiety and other mental disorders. Studies prove that chemicals found in this plant can impact the mind and body and help reduce common signs of mental disorders.
That said, due to the illegality of cannabis usage in certain US states and its psychoactive features, cannabis failed to become an accepted option for anxiety and depression.
CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive substance, featuring many benefits associated with cannabis. This chemical compound has been legalized in the US since 2018, offering an alternative for those looking for a safer version of weed.
CBD is derived from the Sativa hemp plant and contains less than 0.3 percent of THC. This substance is now being used by many people for multiple medical conditions.
To learn more about cannabis and depression, check out our post, Best Cannabis Strains for Depression.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
Phytocannabinoid is a term used for cannabinoids found naturally in plants. When using CBD oil, phytocannabinoids enter our blood system and bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout our body.
These receptors are a part of a complex network known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining balance (homeostasis) in the body. However, due to different factors, this system often fails to work optimally, leading to many health problems.
Anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, mood swings, low energy levels, and chronic pain can all be caused by dysfunction in the endocannabinoid system.
When taking CBD supplements, the phytocannabinoids found in these products help ECS to work more functionally, resulting in improved mental and physical health.
Prevalence of Mental Disorders in the US
Mental Disorders are a common problem in the United States. Approximately one in every five American adults struggles with one type of mental illness. Moreover, studies show that over 173 million US adults have experienced at least one depressive episode throughout their life.
That said, only 65 percent seek treatment. This is an alarming sign that a huge number of mental patients with serious conditions are not receiving any help. Psychologists believe that the main reasons for not seeking help among patients include:
- Financial problems
- Personal choice
- Shame
- Lack of awareness
Does CBD Help with Depression?
When discussing the potential benefits of CBD for depression, it’s important to note that the body of research is quite thin. Although there seems to be an exceeding curiosity regarding CBD for depression and mood, the information we have so far is limited.
That said, the process of metabolizing and the initial studies suggest that CBD may be actually effective for mental illnesses.
As mentioned above, CBD directly impacts the endocannabinoid system, and in doing so, it can improve concentration, overall mood, energy levels, state of mind, ability to cope with stress, and fatigue.
On top of that, cannabidiol appears to have a positive effect on our serotonin receptors. Serotonin is responsible for a range of bodily functions including, emotional state, feelings of happiness, focus, and more.
Many psychologists agree that balancing serotonin levels are the key to improving depression and anxiety symptoms.
CBD for Depression – What Does Research Say?
Although there is a lack of large-scale human studies reading CBD for depression and anxiety, multiple animal models can be helpful in understanding the potential benefits of this substance.
According to a 2014 review, CBD oil has potential antidepressant effects on animals with signs of depression and anxiety. A more recent study, confirmed the previous results and concluded that CBD oil can appear as an anti-stress medication, and reduce depression signs related to anxiety disorders.
Moreover, According to research published in 2018, over 62 percent of participants reported consuming CBD products to improve a medical condition including pain, stress, and depression. Among this group, around 36 percent reported significant improvement after using CBD oil alone.
CBD for Anxiety Disorders
Depression and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. Both conditions have many signs in common, and by affecting one, CBD can improve the other as well.
Today, many people use CBD as a plant-based alternative for their anxiety disorders. A recent study suggests that CBD oil may have potential benefits for panic disorder. According to the authors of this study, over 5 percent of the worldwide population is suffering from panic disorders, and have frequent panic attacks.
Additionally, several human studies found CBD to be effective in reducing social anxiety. In one study, participants showed decreased anxiety levels after using 300mg CBD for a simulated public speaking test.
CBD VS. Antidepressants
When we talk about different treatments for depression, it’s not easy to determine what works better and what does not. Each person has different physical characteristics which lead to different reactions to the same substance.
However, in general, CBD oil appears to have some advantages over typical antidepressant drugs.
Antidepressant medications usually require constant usage and take weeks before starting to affect. However, according to a 2019 animal research study, CBD has a much faster impact on the body.
On top of that, as a natural alternative, CBD seems to have fewer side effects compared to prescribed medications. While many people avoid using antidepressants for their multiple side effects, CBD has proven to be a much safer option.
How to Use CBD for Depression
With the vast popularity of CBD as an antidepressant, and anti-anxiety, companies have increased the variety of their CBD products to answer all needs and preferences. Here we take a look at some of the most common methods to use CBD for depression and anxiety:
CBD Vape
Popular especially among the younger generation, vapes are a quick way to get cannabidiol into your blood system.
In this approach, the phytocannabinoids are released in vapor form by heating CBD vape juice. Similar to smoking, the vapor is also breathed, offering a fast delivery of effects that lasts around 30 minutes to 5 hours.
CBD Tinctures
Tinctures are the best-known CBD products available in the market. Famous for their ease of use, these products offer a convenient method for adding CBD to your daily routine.
Place a few drops of tinctures under your tongue, and wait for the phytocannabinoids to work. If you’re not keen on the taste, you can add the tincture to your tea or salad.
Fusion CBD Full Spectrum CBD is a fantastic option for everyone who looks for a quick way to ingest CBD oil. These pure oils are made using hydrophilic oil, which improves absorption by a higher bioavailability. This results in a higher potency per drop, meaning a little goes a long way.
CBD Edible
Among various forms you can consume CBD, edibles are probably the best ones. In this approach, you enjoy a tasty treat while getting the beneficial effects of CBD as well. Edibles are a perfect option for those looking for long-lasting effects.
Fusion CBD CBD Gummies / Vitamins is a collection of tasty gummies infused with 100 percent natural hemp-derived oil. Here you can find vegan and vitamins-enriched gummies with a variety of tasty flavors.
CBD Drink
Similar to edibles, these products include a variety of drinks infused with high-quality CBD oil. For those despising the bitter taste of oils, or the smell of vaping, CBD drinks can be a convenient way to consume their daily dose of cannabidiol.
CBD CBD Sports Drinks are formulated for those looking for an extra hit of energy and motivation. Enriched with electrolytes, olive oil, citric acid, vitamin E, and potassium sorbate, this product is terrific for those struggling with depression and anxiety.
Is CBD Safe?
According to the users’ report, CBD appears to be very well-tolerated, without any serious risks or side effects. However, some people may experience subtle discomforts including
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Nausea
Due to the lack of human studies, it’s hard to determine whether CBD has any long-term side effects or not. However, according to the World Health Organization, CBD is a highly safe compound and has minimal to zero risks.
That said, it’s essential to note that CBD can cause negative interactions when used with pharmaceutical medications, including antidepressants. This includes doubling the side effects of antidepressants or even altering the effects.
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