CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of several chemical compound called cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD is thought to have a number of therapeutic effects, including reducing inflammation, lifting and calming mood, and relieving pain. Some research suggests that it may also help with mental health and mood disorders such as depression.
What is Depression?
Depression is a common mental disorder that affects people of all ages. It’s more than just feeling sad. It’s a serious mental health condition that can have a big impact on your life.
Many people think of depression as something that can be cured by simply “cheering up,” but it’s not that simple. While the causes of depression can be difficult to find, it’s believed to be a result of altered neurochemical balance. There are many different types of depression, and it can affect people of all ages. It’s important to seek help if you think you may be depressed.
It is estimated that 16.1 million adults in the United States suffer from depression, and it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. While there are many effective treatments for depression, some people do not respond well to traditional therapies.
While there are prescription drugs that help to treat the symptoms of depression, there are additional ways you can support a more balanced mood. These include diet and lifestyle changes, and adding supplements that can improve brain chemistry.
CBD as a Remedy for Depression
While the benefits of some medical treatments are being called into question, there is mounting evidence that CBD can be can effective way to manage the symptoms of depression. A study published this year notes that more and more people are turning to CBD as their therapy of choice, noting improvement of their symptoms and lack of side effects. While most of these people continued to see a mental health professional, they felt much better while taking CBD.
The Science Behind CBD and Depression
CBD consumption triggers a cascade of reactions in the endocannabinoid system, which is intimately linked to the nervous system in terms of neurochemical signaling, acting on over 65 different types of receptor sites.
Importantly, as found in a 2020 study, it interacts with serotonin A1 receptor, which may play a role in the symptoms of depression. It also inhibits the reuptake of dopamine, so this “happy” neurochemical can circulate for longer.
While neurotransmitter interaction can be complex, with many steps, CBD appears to create a more balanced profile of these signaling molecules, leading to feelings of greater well-being and calm.
CBD vs. Traditional Depression Treatments
If you are currently taking SSRIs or other prescriptions to manage the symptoms of depression, this would be a great topic to discuss with your trusted healthcare practitioner, as changes in your dose can cause uncomfortable or dangerous side effects.
It’s these side effects which are one of the main reasons people seek more natural remedies for depression. While prescriptions can come packaged with side effects like headaches, nausea, insomnia, and worsening mental health, CBD is not seen to have these off-target effects. In fact, it’s incredibly rare to hear of any side effects from CBD aside from a feeling of relaxation and overall wellness.
In studies, CBD has been shown to relieve the symptoms of depression at least as well as the standard prescriptions, so it’s a safe and effective way for you to manage your symptoms and get back to your life.
Be cautious if you choose to take both SSRIs and CBD. Since they both are processed by the same liver enzymes, take these two compounds at different times of day to maximize effectiveness.
Conclusion
CBD is a safe and effective choice when it comes to managing the symptoms of depression and other mental health challenges. You can feel a greater sense of peace and feel more like yourself while using a compound that works with your nervous system to balance neurotransmitters and mood alike. We recommend the Starter Pack to start improving your symptoms. It comes with our three most popular flavors, and each gummy contains 25mg CBD, which has been shown to have positive effects.
References:
García-Gutiérrez, M. S., Navarrete, F., Gasparyan, A., Austrich-Olivares, A., Sala, F., & Manzanares, J. (2020). Cannabidiol: A potential new alternative for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders. Biomolecules, 10(11), 1575. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10111575
Wieckiewicz, G., Stokłosa, I., Stokłosa, M., Gorczyca, P., & Pudlo, R. (2022). Cannabidiol (Cbd) in the self-treatment of depression-exploratory study and a new phenomenon of concern for psychiatrists. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 837946. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837946
