Depression has become a widespread disease. The WHO estimates that more than 322 million people in the entire population are affected. This corresponds to an increase of around 18 percent within 10 years. Even today, there is still stigmatization in some places; people do not take mental illnesses seriously! For those affected, this is an additional burden. Many of them rely on CBD against depression, hoping to find a natural and non-stressful remedy!
How can depression be recognized?
There is no such thing as the classic “depression. Many people are less active in phases of their lives, feeling melancholy, sad or sorrowful, among other things. Stress can lead to a constant overload and the disease depression can develop. The symptoms are very diverse, for some people everything is too much, other people have problems only in certain areas of life. Classic signs of depression include:
- Listlessness and overreaction to stress
- Crying for no reason and constant sadness
- Listlessness and withdrawal from social activities
- Sleep disturbances or excessive sleeping
- Lack of self-acceptance and constant feelings of guilt
- Hopelessness and anxiety
When full-blown depression is suspected, it is always important to seek medical advice. Mental illness is no reason for shame; it is just as real as gastrointestinal complaints or other organic ailments.
Whether a person suffers from depression can be found out with a test at the doctor’s office. Targeted questionnaires make it possible to assess the situation. Sometimes the depression exists only in parts of the life. For example, private life is not affected, but occupational stress causes a reduction in the quality of life.
What is CBD and how does it work?
CBD is a cannabinoid from the hemp plant. Hemp has been used for centuries in traditional natural medicine to treat various ailments. Unlike THC, another cannabinoid, cannabidiol does not induce intoxication or get you high. This is why it is so interesting for treating various ailments. In addition to CBD itself, other important ingredients are contained in a full-spectrum oil:
- Terpenes
- CBG
- CBN (not always)
- Flavonoids
- Cannabichromes
- Minerals, vitamins and proteins
Are there any studies on CBD for depression?
Researchers in Rio de Janeiro indicated that CBD oil may be suitable for depression. Various studies showed that CBD can have an influence on the endocannabinoid system and the serotonin receptors in the brain. Thus, the anxiety-relieving and antidepressant effect could be explained. The effect has already been demonstrated in animal models, but whether it can be transferred to humans is not yet entirely clear.
The goal in treating depression is to improve the quality of life of those affected. In many cases, patients are cured after a single episode. However, estimates suggest that about one-third of all patients with depression experience recurrent episodes.
Studies in animals showed that CBD oil can have an effect on mental illnesses such as depression. By stimulating the receptors, symptoms such as listlessness, feeling empty, self-doubt, insomnia and listlessness can possibly be alleviated.
Can CBD replace an antidepressant?
Depression is a multifaceted disease. Those affected do not always take antidepressants for treatment. In some cases, behavioral therapy is also used to try to better structure everyday life and change lifestyle. In the case of mild depression, this can already have a significant effect. It depends on various aspects whether the doctor and patient decide in favor of an antidepressant.
If the affected person develops suicidal thoughts in the course of his or her illness and the symptoms are very distressing, treatment may make sense. But even antidepressants are not cures for eternity. Their effectiveness can wear off after a while. It is significantly crucial to work on lifestyle as well.
When patients look for alternatives, they quickly come across the hemp plant. In fact, CBD drops are popularly used, mainly due to their favorable side effect profile. However, they should not be seen as a substitute for antidepressants.
Very important: If patients are already taking antidepressants, they must not under any circumstances discontinue them arbitrarily and immediately. This can lead to an exacerbation of symptoms.
How is CBD used for depression?
Those who choose CBD for depression will find numerous items on the market today. If medication is already being taken, it is important to consult the doctor first. Tricyclic antidepressants can interact with CBD and unwanted side effects may occur. When taking SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors), CBD oil can usually be combined for depression. Again, always check with your doctor first!
For beginners, a CBD oil with a content of 5% is best suited. It is available in drop form and can thus be easily dosed.
Which CBD oil really helps with depression?
The variety of cannabinoids is impressive. The hemp plant has much more to offer than just CBD, most studies have been done on THC so far. THC can be counterproductive in mental illnesses, plus it is (still) banned in Europe. CBD, on the other hand, has now been the subject of several studies and researchers are trying to figure out what influence the cannabinoid has.
Most CBD medicines on the market are produced according to the same specifications. The THC content must not exceed 0.2%, and it must also be an EU-certified commercial hemp variety.
Before an inferior product ends up in the shopping cart, buyers should inform themselves about the cannabidiol. Has it been produced in a natural way? Are the CBD products loaded with herbicides and pesticides? An organic CBD oil is made of all-natural ingredients and does not add any harmful substances to the body when used! The CBD extract is extracted from the hemp plant and then mixed with a carrier oil (usually MCT oil or hemp oil).
What is the correct dosage of CBD oil?
Every human and many animals have an endocannabinoid system. The effect of CBD depends on how active this system is. In addition, factors such as body weight, constitution and general effectiveness of medication play a role. The active ingredient CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the human body. They are located in the central nervous system, in the bloodstream and in many internal organs.
To achieve the desired effect of CBD, trial and error is important. CBD oil can work in small amounts, but some people need a higher dosage. At the beginning of the application, always go for the smallest possible dose. One drop of cannabidiol is enough at the beginning. Now a waiting period of 2 to 3 days follows. If there is still no effect of CBD, another drop can be added.
This continuous dosing is continued until the cannabidiol shows its effect. If medications are taken in parallel, they must not be discontinued under any circumstances!
Who should not use CBD?
Some medications, including tricyclic antidepressants, may interact with CBD oil. In this case, it is important to ask the doctor first. There are no known contraindications between SSRIs and cannabidiol/CBD so far. Again, however, asking is the best course of action.
Pregnant women should generally refrain from using CBD. Although it has not been proven that cannabidiol/CBD has a harmful effect on the fetus, there are also no studies yet on the harmlessness.
Is CBD a miracle cure for depression?
No! CBD is not a miracle cure for depression. There is also no medication that is able to make depression disappear within a few days. There are many aspects to healing. One of them is often changing your life and implementing valuable tips. However, the first, important step is the willingness of the sufferer to seek help. Shame is completely out of place when it comes to depression, anyone can be affected by the condition!
CBD oil is not a miracle ingredient, but it can help alleviate the symptoms of depression. For example, experienced users report that CBD reduces stress in them and thus relieves the brain. There is also talk of increased drive. For a person with depression, even a simple walk can become an insurmountable challenge. If CBD is able to increase motivation, this is already a valuable help.
CBD and medication - can it work?
Depression is often triggered by a lack of serotonin. The neurotransmitter is responsible for well-being and balance. Two points need to be distinguished: Endogenous and exogenous depression. The endogenous variant arises from within, here a deficiency of the messenger substance serotonin is causal.
Exogenous depression, on the other hand, is caused by external influences. A stressful everyday life, the loss of a loved one or the eternal question about the meaning of life can be responsible for this. Exogenous depression responds more strongly to psychotherapy. Endogenous depression, on the other hand, is best helped by a targeted increase in serotonin.
Theoretically, it is possible to use CBD products together with medication against depression. However, CBD oil should always be consulted with a doctor first. There are very rare side effects, such as serotonin syndrome. It occurs when there is suddenly too much serotonin in the brain and it can become dangerous. The doctor can assess the effect of the medication and evaluate whether CBD oil can be used additionally against depression.
Does CBD for depression have side effects?
If CBD is used in the treatment of depression, side effects cannot be completely ruled out. Many people report that they have not felt any negative effect, while others react with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, dizziness or nausea.
The risk of side effects can be reduced if CBD oil is dosed slowly from the beginning. The effect only fully sets in after a few days anyway and only when the correct dosage is found. Patience is required here, an overdose of CBD against depression is counterproductive for the well-being.
Is CBD legal for depression?
CBD contains a maximum of 0.2% THC and is therefore legal in the EU. All CBD items that are available in our store comply with these specifications. CBD belongs to the cannabinoids, but unlike THC it is not psychogenic. Thus, there is neither an intoxication nor is the listlessness further increased.
Conclusion: CBD may be useful for depression
The effect of CBD is still hotly debated and reviewed in research. Now it is already clear that CBD products are popular with numerous users. Cannabidiol is considered a beacon of hope and CBD oil for depression a way out for many people. Manufacturers are not allowed to make any promises of efficacy, that would not be serious either. However, since most CBD products are very well tolerated, CBD for depression can be tried without hesitation. In a few years, research will then also be able to confirm what influence CBD has on the disease.
