Is It Recommended to Treat Anxiety and Depression Using CBD?

Have you been battling anxiety and depression without any success? Have you thought of CBD? Keep reading to find out if treating anxiety and depression with CBD is recommended and how much you need!

Many people have been interested in CBD because of its well-documented ability to alleviate pain and induce calm. Additionally, people with anxiety and depression have reported positive results after using it. Among cannabis lovers, cannabidiol is seen as a kind of "second coming." It has a cult-like status and has been widely praised for treating various conditions, from pain and sleeplessness to digestive disorders and inflammation.

As well as physical health advantages, more individuals are opting to use CBD to alleviate mental health issues, notably anxiety and depression. In addition, the research findings seem encouraging. As far as CBD's effect on mood, there is still plenty to understand. However, we've got all of your answers here. Learn more about can cbd cure or stop your hangover

Deconstructing CBD

A cannabinoid such as CBD is one of two main chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. CBD, unlike THC, has no psychoactive effects. According to Alharbi (2020), hemp-derived CBD varies from marijuana due to the THC concentration.

When it comes to THC content, hemp is lower than marijuana. To complicate things, the FDA has only authorized the use of CBD in one medicine, Epidiolex, which is intended to treat the seizures relating to the two rare kinds of epilepsy.

Understanding CBD might seem like a lengthy, odd voyage due to the lack of regulation. Therefore, since you may never know what you'll receive, it's best to proceed cautiously and seek medical advice.

CBD's Efficacy in Treating Anxiety and Depression

Anecdotal evidence and case studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) may help treat anxiety in humans. Still, according to Farach et al. (2012), research on CBD's ability to treat depression is sparse, despite some encouraging results in some human case studies.

Depressive disorders harm the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, which researchers think CBD may restore. Remember, there is a complex link between depression and anxiety. Mood and sleep disturbances are common in both diseases. We're much more nervous when we're worried, in pain, and depressed.

Here's where CBD may come in handy. According to Cooray et al. (2020), CBD positively interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which controls our sleep, mood, and pain perception. Therefore, poor sleep, chronic discomfort, and inefficient emotional processing are all symptoms of a dysfunctional endocannabinoid system.

Experts suggest CBD may alleviate anxiety-induced thoughts, insomnia, and narcolepsy by administering the drug correctly. Furthermore, overdosing may exacerbate anxiety in certain individuals, so it's important to start low and work your way up. Additionally, insomnia, narcolepsy, or early morning awakenings are common among  90% of depressed individuals. Therefore, CBD improves mood and alleviates various sleep disorders and depression.

Is it possible to Get Addicted to CBD?

People addicted to substances continue using them despite the negative consequences they cause in their lives since these substances rewire the dopamine structure. While THC is present in cannabis, pure CBD has no psychoactive effect. The World Health Organization has found no evidence of CBD abuse or dependency, and CBD does not pose a public health risk. However, even though pure CBD is not considered addictive, full spectrum CBD products may include traces of THC. Additionally, they aren't regulated by the FDA since these goods are advertised as supplements.

How Much Cannabidiol (CBD) Do I Need to Take?

The appropriate CBD dosage is an enigma since no one exactly knows how much it should be. Since each person reacts differently to CBD, medical professionals agree that there is no one-size-fits-all dose of CBD.

Furthermore, since the benefits might take months to develop fully, experts believe CBD works best when taken regularly—daily and frequently two or three times a day (though it works instantly for some). Start with a modest dose and gradually increase it if necessary until you find what works best.

It may not take as long for someone with moderate symptoms to experience CBD's therapeutic effects compared to someone with more severe anxiety or depression symptoms. Ultimately, the aim is to identify the medication's smallest, most effective dosage. It's best to work with your physician and take your time to find it out.

CBD Formulations

CBD gummies are chewy edibles infused with a precise amount of CBD oil. They are popular due to their delicious taste and take a longer time to dispense their effects since the gut must process them.

CBD capsules are pill-like substances with a gelatin outer casing and are infused with a precise amount of CBD oil. They are also consumed orally, although they take time to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

CBD tinctures are CBD oils with an alcohol base. They are administered sublingually and have a higher bioavailability since the gut does not process them.

CBD Oil's Drawbacks

CBD oil for anxiety and depression is promising but has several drawbacks. For example, it is not generally accessible for purchase.

According to Abuhasira et al. (2018), CBD oil is only legalized for medical use in a few states. Furthermore, the FDA has not authorized CBD oil products to treat anxiety or depression. Currently, the FDA only recognizes one CBD oil product for treating rare forms of epilepsy.

The quality of CBD oils is widely variable due to the lack of FDA supervision and control. Thus, manufacturers freely mislabel their CBD products to make more profits. Additionally, one in five CBD products is strongly likely to have higher THC levels (more than 0.3%). Anxiety may be worsened by higher THC levels rather than alleviated.

Also, even though CBD oil contains microscopic levels of THC, you might still fail a drug test if you use it, even if it is legal. A high-quality CBD oil is considered harmless, although it has certain adverse effects such as migraines, drowsiness, vomiting, and nausea.

Conclusion

There are a few adverse effects to be aware of while using CBD in the early stages. For the most part, this is due to CBD's lesser potential for abuse and dependence compared to THC.

CBD has anti-depressive properties that alleviate anxiety and depression. Moreover, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which controls sleep, mood, and anxiety levels. Therefore, it reduces cortisol levels, effectively reducing high stress and anxiety levels.

When cannabinoids were used to treat epilepsy or psychosis, lethargy, diarrhea, and appetite disruptions were the most reported adverse effects. Other documented negative effects of CBD usage included vomiting, sleeplessness, and hepatological issues.

References

Alharbi, Y. N. (2020). Current legal status of medical marijuana and cannabidiol in the United States. Epilepsy & Behavior, 112, 107452.

Farach, F. J., Pruitt, L. D., Jun, J. J., Jerud, A. B., Zoellner, L. A., & Roy-Byrne, P. P. (2012). Pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders: Current treatments and future directions. Journal of anxiety disorders, 26(8), 833-843.

Cooray, R., Gupta, V., & Suphioglu, C. (2020). Current aspects of the endocannabinoid system and targeted THC and CBD phytocannabinoids as potential therapeutics for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases: a review. Molecular Neurobiology, 57(11), 4878-4890.

Abuhasira, R., Shbiro, L., & Landschaft, Y. (2018). Medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids containing products–Regulations in Europe and North America. European journal of internal medicine, 49, 2-6.