Can CBD Oil Help Manic Depression?

CBD products can treat manic depression disorder, commonly known as bipolar. This article discusses whether CBD oil can help with manic depression and its episodes. Herein, you will also learn more about CBD as a treatment for bipolar mood disorder, whether CBD is a mood stabilizer, whether CBD acts as a natural antidepressant, and whether it improves stress response.

The symptoms of maniac disorder include sudden and dramatic alterations in disposition, vigor, activity, and focus. Mood swings like this might make it difficult to function normally. Those who are bipolar typically experience two separate phases of intense feelings. The "up" or "high" state is experienced during the manic phase, and the "down" or "low" state is experienced during the depressive phase. Extreme irritability or overexuberance are symptoms of manic episodes, while apathy characterizes depressive episodes. Most people with bipolar disorder are identified in their teenage years or early adulthood. Rarely, children might also show signs of bipolar disorder. Pregnancy and postpartum are also risk periods for the onset of manic-depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is often treated for a lifetime due to the fluctuating nature of the symptoms. Treatment of bipolar mood disorders can be challenging. Medication for mental health problems can cause many unwanted symptoms and often interacts poorly with other drugs. Medication dosage and the combination should be adjusted at each patient's regular psychiatric check-ups.

CBD May Alleviate Manic Episode

Yatham et al. (2009) showed that manic episodes are common in people with bipolar illness and are characterized by an overwhelming sense of motivation and energy. The results of research conducted in 1998 and published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs indicated that cannabis users responded favorably to herbal therapy over those given conventional drugs. However, the study only looked at hypomania, which is only one subtype of bipolar illness. Learn more about can you take too much cbd oil?

CBD as Treatment for Bipolar Mood Disorder

Jain et al. (2022) revealed that depression is now known as bipolar mood disorder. Cannabidiol, one of the key phytochemicals in the cannabis plant, is one of the molecules gaining a lot of attention as a potential new therapy for bipolar illness. Cannabidiol (CBD) protects nerve cells in the brain from injury and promotes normal neurotransmitter activity. These benefits have led many to believe that CBD can help patients with bipolar illness feel less extreme swings in mood and have steadier emotional states throughout the day. Cannabinoids in cannabis have been shown to boost cognitive performance in patients with mental illness. The study's modest dosages of high-THC cannabis (marijuana) strains were intriguing. While some research suggests that low-dose THC may help some persons with bipolar illness, using any intoxicant, even in moderation, is divisive among patients and doctors. On the other hand, THC is just one of 115 cannabinoids found in cannabis. CBD, the other main ingredient, does not produce intoxication but can mitigate THC's psychoactive effects.

CBD as a Mood Stabilizer

The stress-busting properties of CBD have been widely praised. Evidence that CBD oil can relieve anxiety and act as an antidepressant has been shown in several different kinds of research. CBD treats various mental health conditions, from panic disorder and general anxiety to social anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and more. It is explained how CBD achieves its medicinal benefits in further detail below.

CBD Acts as a Natural Antidepressant

Patients with bipolar illness who experienced a major depressive episode also had a lower density of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain. The positive benefits of CBD on bipolar disorder might be explained by its role in restoring receptor function via the endocannabinoid system. CBD also affects serotonin receptors, which play a role in controlling emotions. CBD oil's mood-boosting properties stem from its ability to improve serotonin metabolism. Patients with bipolar disorder may be able to avoid depression if their blood serotonin levels are normal and if they use CBD oil to manage their anxiety and sleep patterns.

CBD Improves Stress Response

CBD oil looks to be one of the most efficient natural stress relievers known to humanity, and anxiety problems stem mostly from stress. People with a family history of mental illness who are under a lot of stress and don't learn to handle their stress effectively are more likely to develop the bipolar disorder themselves. Supplementing with CBD oil supports the endocannabinoid system, which is crucial for maintaining balance in the body and regulating stress reactions, among other things.

The Role of Cannabinoid Neurotransmitters in Mood Stability

Solinas et al. (2008) noted that endocannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-AG are natural neurotransmitters for the body. When there is a breakdown in the body's chemical messenger system, the concentration of chemicals interacting with the endocannabinoid system rises. Exogenous cannabinoids from hemp and marijuana also affect the body. Though both plants have their uses, marijuana's high concentration of the psychoactive ingredient THC makes it the better choice. Products produced from hemp, such as CBD oil, have less than 0.3% THC by dry mass; thus, they will not make you high.

How Is Bipolar Disorder Typically Treated?

As a complex issue, bipolar illness treatment is challenging. Together, psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment are the most effective method for addressing the issue at hand.  Adams et al. (2004) commented that a patient's behavior issues, such as excessive mental stress or a history of drug misuse, might be identified during psychotherapy. It is also important to examine and medicate for other potential causes, such as hormone abnormalities. Unfortunately, many of these drugs come with potentially fatal adverse effects. In light of this, more and more individuals are turning to alternative therapies, including sensory deprivation, stress management, diet change, social support, herbal therapy, and cannabidiol (CBD) supplements.

Many people with bipolar disease are trying alternative treatments, and CBD oil is one such option. There is preliminary evidence that cannabidiol (CBD) may be an advantageous alternative to standard medical care. CBD helps the body maintain homeostasis, particularly in the central nervous system, through its indirect effects on various neurotransmitters and hormones.

Conclusion

Life with bipolar illness can be challenging. Both the diagnosis and treatment of this ailment are complicated, frequently requiring a process of trial and error with various pharmacological drugs. Some of these medications are useless, while others might be harmful in the long run. Clinical endocannabinoid insufficiency is thought to be the root cause of bipolar illness, and researchers are curious if CBD might treat this condition (CECD). Evidence from animal studies and early human trials is encouraging in this area. Please discuss the possibility of using CBD oil as an adjunct therapy for bipolar illness with your physician. It's also important to look into the companies selling the CBD oil you're interested in. There is a lack of regulation in the CBD sector, and some manufacturers are extremely lax when making health claims and disclosing the cannabis content of their products. Learn more about can cbd oil give you more energy?

References

Adams, L. L., Gatchel, R. J., Robinson, R. C., Polatin, P., Gajraj, N., Deschner, M., & Noe, C. (2004). Development Of A Self-Report Screening Instrument For Assessing Potential Opioid Medication Misuse In Chronic Pain Patients. Journal Of Pain And Symptom Management, 27(5), 440-459.

Jain, A., & Mitra, P. (2022). Bipolar Affective Disorder. In Statpearls [Internet]. Statpearls Publishing.

Solinas, M., Goldberg, S. R., & Piomelli, D. (2008). The Endocannabinoid System In Brain Reward Processes. British Journal Of Pharmacology, 154(2), 369-383.

Yatham, L. N., Kauer-Sant'Anna, M., Bond, D. J., Lam, R. W., & Torres, I. (2009). Course And Outcome After The First Manic Episode In Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Prospective 12-Month Data From The Systematic Treatment Optimization Program For Early Mania Project. The Canadian Journal Of Psychiatry, 54(2), 105-112.