7 Best CBD Oil for Depression & How It Works

CBD Oil for Depression

Depression is a pathology that affects all aspects of human life, including health, social life, and productivity. If you notice that you lack interest in activities that you previously used to love, or you have a feeling of sadness that you cannot seem to let go of, then you are most probably suffering from depression.

Depression is a general term for various specific conditions such as bipolar disorder, persistent depressive disorder postpartum depression, manic depressive disorder, and a host of other related conditions.

Studies show that more than 300 million people (regardless of age) suffer from this condition worldwide, the reason why it became urgent that scientists find a lasting solution to the problem. This solution may have come in form of CBD oil.

CBD oil has been found to have great psychiatric potential, especially when it comes to treating depression.

Best CBD Oil for Depression

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Royal CBD
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Absolute Nature
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Hemp Bombs

How CBD Oil Works for Depression

CBD oil has been found to work better and faster than traditional antidepressants. CBD oil works by triggering the endocannabinoid system, as well as accelerating the development and growth of nervous tissues with minimum side effects.

Since it is a natural remedy, patients have the peace of mind that they cannot get with other medications. On top of this, CBD oil also helps to relieve anxiety, induce hunger, combat insomnia, enhance your mood as well as give you energy and focus for daily tasks.

Because one of the causes of depression is stress, using CBD oil has been found to stabilize the mood, helping to alleviate stress. For this task, you need to choose the perfect formulation for you among the available ones – tinctures, capsules, concentrates, tapes, sprays, and topical applications.

While the oil doesn’t cure depression, it has been seen to improve the symptoms over the long term. The cannabinoids, which are the active ingredients in the oil, attach to specific points in your brain cells to trigger the actions of a hormone called serotonin.

Serotonin is a substance that improves your mood, alleviating stress levels. Serotonin also binds to specific receptors in the brain that trigger events that improve your mood.

CBD also helps improve depressive symptoms by modifying the actions of endocannabinoids that are naturally produced in the body. It also amplifies the effects of serotonin by enhancing the activity of the special receptors that serotonin binds to.

The best thing about CBD oil for depression is that the formulation doesn’t affect the cognitive functions of the brain. This means that you don’t get “high” when you use the oil. The oil also has no potential for abuse or addiction, which is why it is ideal for treating depression.

Additionally, the oil isn’t toxic, which means that you can use it without any risk of side effects. Since depression is a common occurrence for pregnant women, you are sure that using the oil in pregnancy cannot have any negative effect on the development of the fetus.

However, you have to note that you get better results if you maintain a regular dose. Talk to your doctor to understand what dosage is perfect for you, but a start dose of 5mg to 10mg is ideal for individuals suffering from depression. Maintain this dose until you achieve the desired results.

What Is Depression?

Depression as defined on Britannica.com, “in psychology, a mood or emotional state that is marked by feelings of low self-worth or guilt and a reduced ability to enjoy life.”

Depression may also be referred to as melancholy, the blues, unhappiness, sorrow, sadness, or misery. There are various levels of depression that can either be temporary or situational, or severe to fatal.

Major or chronic depression requires medical attention and some form of treatment. CBD oil for depression is being researched and studied as a treatment for those suffering from depression.

The information contained here will address depression, types of depression, depression that accompanies other mental illnesses, conventional treatments, and CBD oil and how it may help depression.

What Causes Depression?

The most common thing said about depression is that it happens due to chemical imbalances. However, that does not reflect the complexity of depression as a disease.

According to an article on Harvard Health Publishing, depression is more than a chemical brain imbalance. It can be caused by these factors:

Faulty mood regulation by the brain
Genetic predisposition or vulnerability
Stressful or traumatic life events
Medications
Medical conditions

What Areas of The Brain Are Affected by Depression?

Harvard Health Medical School takes the stance that these forces along with a plethora of others merge to cause depression. ((https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression))

In figure 1 of the published article on Harvard Health Publishing shows the areas of the brain affected by depression, which includes:

Basal ganglia – Interconnected with the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and the brain stem and controls eye movements, voluntary motor movements, emotion, and cognition ((https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/basal-ganglia))
Amygdala – Deep inside the brain and associated with emotions like sorrow, pleasure, fear, anger, and sexual arousal
Hippocampus – Processes long-term memory and recall
Left hemisphere – Controls the right side of the human body and is associated with creativity ((https://www.livescience.com/32935-whats-the-difference-between-the-right-brain-and-left-brain.html))
Thalamus – Directs high-level functions like movement, speech, thinking, learning, and behavioral reactions
Right hemisphere – Controls the left side of the human body and is analytical ((https://www.livescience.com/32935-whats-the-difference-between-the-right-brain-and-left-brain.html))
The prefrontal cortex – Found in front of the brain and contributes to motivation, attention (medial prefrontal cortex), impulses and distractions (orbital prefrontal cortex), controls strong emotions, creation, and execution of plans (lateral prefrontal cortex) ((https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/prefrontal-cortex))

Interestingly enough, Rafi Letzter, published in Live Science, says that there really are no significant differences between the left and right brain functions other than the side of the body the hemispheres control. ((https://www.livescience.com/32935-whats-the-difference-between-the-right-brain-and-left-brain.html))

What Are the Types of Depression?

As mentioned previously, there is not just one cause or type of depression. Depression can take on many different forms, including the following. ((https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html))

Major depression – The most common form and may include recurrent episodes
Postpartum depression – Mothers suffer various levels of disconnection from the baby after giving birth
Dysthymia – Persistent low mood lasting for long periods of time (sometimes a year or more) that makes the sufferer feel like they are living on automatic pilot
Bipolar disorder – Also referred to as manic depressive disorder and causes manic and depressive episodes
Seasonal affective disorder – Occurs mostly in the winter due to lack of sunlight
Situational depression – Triggered by something life-changing such as the death of a close family member or the loss of a job
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder – Occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle and is severe depression that affects the person’s ability to function

It is likely that many people have experienced some level of depression in their lives. The difference is that not everyone is affected the same and some people are able to heal faster than others.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

Neck Pain and Anxiety, Depression, & Mental Health

Just as vast in range as the forms of depression are the symptoms of depression. Due to the multiple forms of depression, some have more recognizable symptoms while others are less noticeable.

The following list is a mere short-list example, but it does represent the basic symptoms of depression. ((https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html))

Restlessness, irritability, frustration
Persistent feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, worthlessness, or sadness
Lack of energy, tiredness, fatigue
Appetite or changes in weight
Sleeping disruptions, insomnia, difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much
Thinking, memory, concentration, or decision-decision difficulties
Physical symptoms like back pain, headaches, stomach aches
Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

What Are the Current Treatments Used for Depression?

Before conventional or alternative treatments for depression are administered, various tests performed by physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other medical personnel.

Physical exams can uncover a physical illness that may be the culprit that is causing your depression. Lab tests can detect thyroid function and uncover issues with your blood count that may contribute to depression.

A psychiatric evaluation may be in order when a physical condition is not found. A psychiatrist will ask you to describe your symptoms, feelings, behaviors, and thoughts to make a diagnosis. It is not uncommon to fill out a questionnaire regarding your symptoms and feelings.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) may be used to diagnose depression.
Once a diagnosis is provided a personalized treatment plan is created. This may include dietary or lifestyle changes or medications such as the following.
Atypical antidepressants like Trazadone, Wellbutrin, or bupropion.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta or Fetzima.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Zoloft or Celexa.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as Marplan or Parnate.
Tricyclic antidepressants like Norpramin or Surmontil.
Mood stabilizers, antianxiety medications, or antipsychotics may also be used along with these medications or as a standalone treatment ((https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356013))

The Mayo Clinic also includes a list of alternative supplements and treatments commonly used for depression.

Supplements such as St. John’s wort, SAMe, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutritional supplements are sometimes used to treat depression.

Alternative or integrative practices such as acupuncture, massage, relaxation techniques, yoga, tai chi, meditation, guided imagery, music therapy, art therapy, exercise, or spirituality may be used to help with depression. ((https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356013))

Most medications used for depression are associated with a number of adverse side effects that range from mild to fatal. Some alternative therapies and supplements provide some relief, but not for everyone. This is why more research and human studies are needed to uncover the efficacy of CBD oil for depression.

What is CDB oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil comes from cannabis plants such as marijuana or hemp. It is a natural compound also known as cannabidiol. Hemp is the most used for CDB oil because of its low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

While CBD and THC are both categorizes as cannabinoids, they have vastly different effects on the human body. THC is known for its psychoactive effects that make you high like smoking marijuana would. CBD oil produces no psychoactive effects (it will not make you high).

There has been a wave of popularity over the past few years in the exploration into the potential benefits of using CBD oil for depression as well as other mental health and medical conditions.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

According to Jonathan Weiss’ article, “What is CBD and how does it work?” on the Open Access Government website, CBD enhances the human body’s ECS (Endocannabinoid System).

In the 1990s the ECS was discovered and is believed to be one of the most important receptor systems in the body for maintaining good health. It has been recognized as a crucial modulatory system in the endocrine, brain, and immune tissues.

The ECS responds to both the endogenous cannabinoids and the Phytocannabinoids. The ECS receptors CB1 and CB2 are found throughout the human body. The CB1 receptors are in the brain with the highest amounts found in the Amygdala, Hippocampus, and the Hypothalamus.

How Might CBD Oil for Depression Be Effective?

Based on everything you have read in this article up to now regarding the brain and the CB1 and CB2 receptors and how CBD works, it makes sense that CBD oil for depression might be an effective treatment. It might even be better and faster than conventional medications. ((https://www.psypost.org/2018/11/cannabidiol-induces-a-rapid-and-long-lasting-antidepressant-effect-in-rodent-model-of-depression-52664))

The only way to get definitive evidence that CBD oil is an effective treatment for those suffering from depression is to do more research and perform more clinical human studies. It will likely be well worth looking into since depression affects so many people across the globe.

What About the CBD Oil for Depression Studies?

The next few paragraphs will list a few studies related to depression and CBD oil for depression.

Study July 3, 2018: “Hippocampal mammalian target of rapamycin is implicated in stress-coping behavior induced by cannabidiol in the forced swim test”, Amanda J. Sales, Manoela V. Fogaça, Ariandra G. Sartim, Vitor S. Pereira, Gregers Wegener, Francisco S. Guimarães, and Sâmia R. L. Joca. Conclusion: CBD induced an antidepressant-like effect and increased BDNF levels in the dorsal hippocampus. ((https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881118784877))

Study June 5, 2018: “Antidepressant-like effect induced by Cannabidiol is dependent on brain serotonin levels“, Amanda J. Sales, Carlos C. Crestani, Francisco S. Guimarães, and Sâmia R.L. Joca. Conclusion: Antidepressant-like effect induced by CBD in the FST is reliant on serotonin levels produced by the central nervous system. ((https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584618301167))

Study: February 2019: “Cannabidiol Induces Rapid and Sustained Antidepressant-like Effects Through Increased BDNF Signaling and Synaptogenesis in the Prefrontal Cortex”, Amanda J. SalesManoela V. FogaçaAriandra G. SartimVitor S. PereiraGregers WegenerFrancisco S. GuimarãesSâmia R. L. Joca. Conclusion: The data supports the potential for a promising therapeutic effect for CBD as a fast-acting antidepressant. ((https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-018-1143-4))

Is CBD Oil for Depression Legal?

The legality of CBD oil for depression depends on the laws in a country, state, or region. For instance, in some states, it is legal to use CBD oil extracted from the marijuana plant, while in others, only CBD oil extracted from hemp is legal.

As far as the federal government in the United States, hemp-derived CBD-related products are legal at the federal level as long as they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. There are still some states where even that is not legal. Be aware of the legal aspects of using CBD oil for depression before you partake. ((https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-depression#takeaway))

What Are the Side Effects of Using CBD Oil for Depression?

The side effects of CBD oil are few but important to know. The most common side effects include:

Diarrhea
Tiredness
Appetite changes
Weight loss or gain
Bloating
Nausea
Vomiting

None of these side effects were reported as severe. ((https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475.php))

The biggest issue surrounding the use of CBD oil for depression is drug and food interactions. It can affect the efficacy of a medication or create other issues when combined with certain foods and vitamins. Vitamin C and grapefruit juice are two things that do not mix well with CBD oil.

How Do You Take CBD Oil for Depression?

Depending on how you want to use it CBD oil can be used in an oral tincture, capsule, oil, or spray, edible gummies or beverages, vaping though it comes with its own issues, and topical applications in lotions, creams, and serums.

Since CBD oil and products are considered supplements, the FDA does not regulate them. Dosages are open to interpretation, but the manufacturer labels should be followed when it comes to a reliable and reputable source.

It is prudent to consult with your doctor before trying CBD oil for depression and to learn what is an acceptable dosage. It is better to start low and work up to a larger dose if you need it. If you take medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out what interactions might occur with CBD oil. ((https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475.php))

Summary

CBD oil is generally becoming a popular alternative to pain medications for people who suffer from pain. However, it is also being used for a wide range of health conditions from anxiety and depression to chronic pain and neuropathy. Make sure you read reputable websites for reviews when making purchases.

CBD oil for depression is considered safe to use, but it still may interact poorly with medications you take or certain supplements, foods, and beverages.

Always read the labels on CBD oils to ensure the product is derived from hemp with a low concentration (less than 0.3 percent) of THC. Research local laws regarding the use of any CBD product before using it.