What are the benefits of CBD for depression?

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Recent years have seen a rapid increase in research on CBD, as new research explores its potential health benefits. Several studies have suggested that CBD oil and other CBD products may be beneficial for symptoms of depression.

1. What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. Cannabis plants are sometimes called hemp depending on their levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid. The difference, however, is that CBD does not cause the psychoactive effects of marijuana.

2. What does CBD do?

If you are considering the use of CBD for therapeutic purposes, it is important to understand that the research surrounding CBD is limited. There have been a lot of studies over the past decade, but most of them have been done on animals.
Therefore, the possible benefits of CBD for depression in humans are currently mostly speculation, and there are no actual studies in patients.
However, current studies show that CBD does appear to have some benefits for depression, especially for dealing with:
Anxiety Cognitive impairment Irritability before public speaking THC and CBD may also be helpful for conditions potentially associated with depression, such as chronic pain.
Experts suggest that CBD's potential benefits for depression have to do with its positive effects on serotonin receptors in the brain. Because low serotonin levels are thought to be linked to depression.
CBD doesn't necessarily increase serotonin levels, but it can affect how chemical receptors in the brain respond to serotonin already in your system.
A study done on animals in 2014 showed that the effects of CBD on serotonin receptors in the brain produce both antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.
A 2018 review of studies concluded that CBD has anti-stress effects, which can reduce stress-related depression.
CBD research is still actively underway and new studies and reviews are published every year. As researchers begin to better understand CBD and its potential benefits or concerns, information on how to best use this product will continue to change.

3. Comparing CBD to Antidepressants

When it comes to treating depression, CBD seems to have some benefits over antidepressants.
Most antidepressants usually take several weeks to start working. While CBD has a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect, this was drawn from an animal study in 2019.
Additionally, CBD appears to cause fewer side effects than antidepressants. Common side effects of antidepressants include: Insomnia, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, and agitation. Studies to date, have not shown CBD to cause the same problems.
While CBD may provide some better benefits than antidepressants, it is not a substitute for antidepressants. Never stop taking a prescribed medication, especially an antidepressant, without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping suddenly the medicines prescribed to you can cause serious side effects. If you want to stop taking an antidepressant, work with your doctor to come up with a plan to gradually reduce your dosage.

4. Effects of CBD on Anxiety

Depression and anxiety often occur together and people with anxiety are more likely to develop depression. CBD seems to help with both of these conditions.
One study found that people taking 600 milligrams (mg) of CBD experienced less anxiety than those taking a placebo. Another study used a smaller dose of 300 mg, which still reduced anxiety levels.
Anxiety may also be linked with low serotonin, so CBD's effect on serotonin receptors may partly explain these beneficial effects.

5. Does CBD cause any side effects?

So far, CBD doesn't seem to cause many side effects. But some people may be more sensitive to it and have some unwanted effects such as:
Diarrhea Fatigue Changes in weight Changes in appetite One study found that taking high doses of extracts CBD-rich cannabis extracts can cause hepatotoxicity in rats. However, some of the rats in this study received unusually high doses of CBD.
It is difficult to know if CBD will cause any long-term side effects due to the lack of research on the matter. To date, experts have not identified any major long-term risks associated with CBD use.
Remember that this doesn't mean nothing. It simply means that the researchers haven't encountered any yet.
In a 2017 review, the World Health Organization concluded that CBD is generally safe. They note that side effects can be caused by interactions between CBD and other drugs.
To minimize your risk of side effects, talk to your doctor before trying CBD.
This is important if you take over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and prescription medications (especially those that come with a “grapefruit interaction warning”). Both CBD and grapefruit have an effect on cytochromes P450 (CYPs), a family of enzymes important for drug metabolism.

6. What products is CBD in?

CBD is available in the following four product forms:
Products for Oral Use : These products include tinctures, capsules, sprays, and oils. These blends can be taken orally or they can be used in other preparations, such as smoothies or coffee. Edible products: Drinks and foods, such as CBD-infused gum, are now widely available. Steam products: Steaming with CBD oil is one way to quickly absorb compounds. However, there is still some debate about the long-term safety of this approach. In addition, these products can also cause coughing and an itchy throat. Products for Topical Use: CBD-infused beauty products, lotions, and creams are big business these days. These products incorporate CBD into the things you apply directly to your skin. However, this formula is most likely for pain relief, not mental health use.

7. How to get CBD?

If you want to try CBD, you will need to find a reputable seller. CBD extracted from hemp is widely available in many regions. You can even find it in some health food stores. Cannabis-derived CBD is only sold in medical units.
If you want to buy CBD, look for reputable and trustworthy brands. You can usually determine if a brand is reputable by checking to see if they conduct third-party lab tests on their products.
You can find a variety of CBD-infused gum, lotion, and oil for sale online.
CBD is becoming an increasingly popular remedy for a wide range of health problems, including depression. If you want to try CBD, talk to your doctor.
While studies show the compound is generally safe, it can still interact with medications. You should double-check any other medications and supplements you're taking before you start using CBD to see if they interact.

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Reference source: healthline.com