Can CBD Oil Help with Depression?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound that's recently grown in popularity over the past several years, due to increasing research on it's possible health benefits, including its potential for treating depression. It's one of over 100 different cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant. Here you'll learn about CBD's potential for relieving depression symptoms.

Studies on CBD for Depression

Research shows CBD might help ease depression symptoms through interaction with your brain's serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. It contributes to various functions in your body, which include mood regulation. It might help contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness. It's also frequently implicated in depression onset, and various types of antidepressant medications work by increasing levels of serotonin in your brain.

Research published in 2018 shows CBD doesn't increase levels of serotonin, but instead, it seems to influence your brain's response to the serotonin already there.

One study showed CBD had a "clear anti-stress impact", which may contribute to reducing levels of stress contributing to feelings of depression and anxiety.

Some human studies found CBD might be helpful for other problems often linked with depression, like panic disorder and anxiety. A review in 2017 of CBD's potential benefits for panic disorder showed some positive results.

According to the studies' authors, panic disorder impacts around 5% of the population worldwide, and leads to recurring and unexpected panic attacks. In humans, one dose of 300 mg of CBD led to a noticeable reduction in levels of anxiety following a simulated public speaking test.

And, 600 mg of CBD led to a substantial decrease of anxiety measures in individuals with social anxiety disorder.

How CBD Works for Depression

It's thought CBD positively influences the processes that regulate:

• Sleep
• Mood
• Pain perception
• and other functions

These processes have to properly function, so you sleep more soundly, feel better and experience less pain. Depression and anxiety are conditions related to poor mood, pain, and sleep regulation, since your endocannabinoid system isn't working as good as it should be.

If you're thinking about using CBD therapeutically, it's essential you understand studies around CBD are limited. While in the last decade there have been many studies, most were performed using animals. This means CBD's potential benefits for depression are highly speculative at the moment.

Still, it does seem as though CBD has some benefits for depression, particularly for dealing with:

• Cognitive impairment
• Anxiety
• Discomfort before speaking publicly

CBD might also be useful for conditions possibly related to depression like chronic pain.

CBD vs Antidepressant Medications

When it comes to CBD treating depression, it seems to offer certain benefits over antidepressants. Most antidepressants take weeks to begin working. But, according to a 2019 animal study, CBD has a quick and sustained antidepressant-like impact.

It might also lead to fewer side effects than you'd experience with antidepressants. Some side effects of antidepressants that CBD hasn't shown similar issues with are:

• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Agitation
• Sexual dysfunction

How It’s Taken

CBD is available in various forms, however, it seems that only the ones you ingest are more likely to offer you any antidepressant-like effects, or other types of mental health benefits. It might be taken orally as a spray, oil, or capsule. It might also be added to edibles like candies, beverages, or chewable gummies.

You can also use CBD topically in salves, creams, balms, and lotions; however, it's likely it will only produce a localized effect in this form. You can inhale e-liquids through vaping, though vaping does come with certain risks of its own.

The bottom line, with CBD's potential as a depression treatment, there needs to be more research. Most of the evidence that supports the antidepressant effects of CBD comes from small trials or animal studies. If you're experiencing depression symptoms, you'll definitely want to talk with your doctor, or a mental health expert. Depression can become worse over time if you leave it untreated, but there are many treatments available, which include psychotherapy and medicines.

If you're interested in using CBD to ease depression symptoms along with other treatments, you'll definitely want to consult with your doctor first to make sure there aren't any potential medication interactions.

Order a CBD Pillow

Try a CBD pillow from CBDPillow.com. It uses microencapsulation technology that contains millions of CBD microcapsules. Typically, each pillow is filled with over 150 mg of CBD bonded to the fabric outside. These microcapsules burst as you're using the pillow because it's pressure sensitive. CBD is then released, and your skin and hair follicles absorb it during the night as you sleep — kind of like a topical.

It microdoses CBD over an extended time period. So, let's say your normal routine is taking CBD gummies at night right before bed; those gummies would begin wearing off after two to three hours. But, with the CBD pillows, those microdoses of CBD you're getting will keep going all night long.

Order a comfortable CBD pillow, and experience the benefits for yourself.