Updated on June 25th, 2022
Finding the best CBD for depression is a step in the right direction in reducing our dependence on pharmaceutical drugs. The condition is far too common, and so is the reliance on pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, “depression” is one of the most frequently searched words on Google.
Even if you’re not directly affected by depression, there’s a decent chance someone you know is.
According to WHO – 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide and 16 million in US alone.
CBD Emerges as a Solution for Depression
For a long time, doctors prescribed conventional drugs. The problem was that scientists did preliminary tests for these drugs on animals. Once tested on humans – or worse – released into the market, these drugs caused catastrophic side effects.
Some even resulted in death. This is at least partially due to the pressure to release new drugs with minimal testing. On the other hand, CBD has been part of our medical arsenal (in the form of cannabis) for thousands of years.
As doctors sought to mask the symptoms and psychologists helped patients cope, sufferers took it upon themselves to seek other help. It started with small clusters of anecdotal evidence; however, these claims of self-medication became so common that the scientific community began to pay attention.
Although initially dismissed, doctors and researchers eventually took notice and looked into CBD for depression. In doing so, they found a variety of other health benefits.
Scientific Research on CBD for Depression
Laboratory studies
Doctors classify depression as a pathological disease; in other words, it threatens our overall health. Following the standard scientific procedure on animal models, CBD’s compounds yielded a very influential anxiolytic-antidepressant chemical.
A study conducted at The Utrecht University Center in the Netherlands stands out by endorsing medical marijuana as a reliable cure for depression. Additionally, it improves cognitive performance in the patients affected by Bipolar disorder. Brain scans performed on depression patients typically show that they have a smaller hippocampus.
The hippocampus is the area of the brain in charge of enabling memory formation and cognitive abilities. Research studies have shown a positive result when injecting CBD into a small animal: the hippocampus becomes stimulated, which assists with creating new neurons.
Summary: The results showed that there is a good connection between CBD and the 5-HT1A neuroreceptor. This is the endogenous neurotransmitter serotonin. In other words, cannabidiol increases the hormone of happiness and well-being.
Additionally, the researchers claim that CBD, with its non-psychoactive compounds, has effects comparable with a Tofranil drug. CBD is not a novelty for natural treatment, but it is when speaking in terms of a scientific approach.
Now, scientific circles also claim that CBD is a fast-working antidepressant with a working time of approximately 8 hours. Scientists also add that CBD enhances both serotonergic and cortical signaling through a 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanism. There are virtually no CBD’s side effects. Still, it is recommended to consult a medical doctor when taking CBD in parallel to regular pharmaceutical medication due to the side effects of these pharmaceuticals.
Do you want to take preventive action? Use CBD to prevent depression, studies say. It keeps your mental health in proper balance. You could avoid depression by treating stress with the best CBD vape oil for anxiety.
Clinical studies
Medical Institutions still don’t have all the answers about how depression exactly occurs. Furthermore, it has been in focus for a while, which means it will take some time to get more proactive solutions, including CBD inclusiveness to depression treatment. Based on many clinical trials, some doctors now endorse CBD treatment, clarifying that CBD depression treatment has minimal or zero risks for the individual’s psychological condition.
Doctors agree with the anecdotal studies, which show that CBD is an antidepressant that improves and normalizes a dysfunctional endocannabinoid system in our bodies caused by depression. Depression manifests in many nuanced psychological disorders, such as major depression, Dysthymia, bipolar disorder, manic depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. The conclusion that we are getting is that CBD has multi-effective properties.
Depression is often a result of anxiety – according to patients and scientific evidence.
CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta was one of the most important doctors who was advocating for CBD inclusiveness. In collaboration with clinics, The Journal of Psychopharmacology explains that the significant role of CBD is how it interacts with increased depression, occurring in a way that activates limbic and paralimbic areas in the brain.
The limbic system is known as the Emotion Regulator. One of the eminent doctor-researchers, Samir Haj-Dahmane, from the Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions, also claims that CBD depression treatment “could potentially help stabilize moods and ease depression.”
Anecdotal studies
The advocacy for CBD depression treatment originates in anecdotal studies. The best CBD ambassadors are the positive experiences reported by patients. This means that numerous patients worldwide, after CBD use, are experiencing alleviated depression, enhanced mood, and general well-being.
So many people are changing standard pharmaceutical drugs for more natural treatment options, such as CBD oil because CBD has no side effects compared to other optional products. For example, thanks to anecdotal studies, and people studying CBD and Cannabis in general, we have more information on dosage and which strain or oil to use for the various manifestations of depression.
Not only do I have personal experience with CBD helping me out of a vast depression, but it also gave me energy. So, with personal interest, I looked for the best CBD oil for energy.
CBD Oil Dosage for Depression
CBD hemp oil can alleviate depression, but the method of CBD intake and daily dosage are essential when it comes to efficiency. When using CBD, it is also crucial to pay attention to your body signals. In other words, listen to your body.
According to patients’ feedback: For mild depression, start with 25-50 mg per day. You can gradually increase the dose while monitoring yourself to reach the desired effect for more severe cases of depression. It is not uncommon for patients with severe depression to take more than 100 or even several hundred milligrams of CBD.
There is no such thing as CBD overdose. Use our CBD oil dosage calculator to determine the correct number of drops.
Manufacturers usually explain the CBD oil dosing on the product packaging. Still, since there are many products, it is crucial to navigating through the CBD process according to the severity of depression. Since depression affects eating habits, you can mix your CBD product with your food or use the most common method; drop the CBD oil under their tongue and keep it there for at least one minute.
Also, for better results, use CBD oil at least twice daily. The dosage is vital to maintain balanced homeostasis. However, many people take it three times a day or all at once, just once daily.
In some instances, when CBD is not working (usually very severe depression), adding a little THC can be an option. Along with CBD, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary therapeutical cannabinoid.
White label CBD products for spa allow spa shops to sell them under their label.
Success Stories from Depression Patients
We have carefully collected CBD testimonials for this particular condition to serve as proof and inspiration to others. Do not hesitate to record your own experience and share it with us so we can add it to this list and help thousands of other patients.
Overview of Scientific Studies and Reports
If you are interested in the medical proof and not scared of reading through some professional medical jargon, check out the studies below.
Scientific Research Studies on CBD and Depression
- 2009 – Circulating endocannabinoids and N-acyl ethanolamines are differentially regulated in major depression and following exposure to social stress
- 2009 – The therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system for the development of a novel class of antidepressants
- 2009 – The endocannabinoid system and the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders
- 2010 – Antidepressant-like effects of cannabidiol in mice: Possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptors
- 2010 – Antidepressant-like effect of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa
- 2011 – Putative role of endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology of depression and actions of antidepressants
- 2011- Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders
- 2012 – Serum contents of endocannabinoids are correlated with blood pressure in depressed women
- 2014 – Antidepressant-Like and Anxiolytic-Like Effects of CBD
- 2014 – Endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology and treatment of major depressive illness
- 2014 – Antidepressants and Changes in Concentration of Endocannabinoids and N-Acylethanolamines in Rat Brain Structures
- 2014 – Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of CBD
- 2015 – Possible use of medical marijuana( CBD) for depression
- 2016 – Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT1A receptors
- 2016 – Prohedonic Effect of CBD in a Rat Model of Depression
How to sensibly buy LEGAL cbd oil? Because I got a letter saying customs has confiscated my package two times already and I’m pissed.
From where to where was it shipped and which CBD product?
I have bipolar depression. I had ECT ElectroConvulsive Therapy in June 2016 8 times, January 2017 16 times. Has anyone had ECT …
I haven’t but believe CBD will help as it has helped me.
Great to hear that thanks for the feedback.
Hi Kenneth,
Yes I did – wondering whether I had cognitive impairment from it – certainly I had memory loss – my verbal skills seem to be compromised
I just wrote about my bipolar depression. My meds are paroxetine, buproprion, nuvigil, methylphenidate. Anyone using these also ?
I would like to communicate with anyone successfully using CBD for Bipolar Depression.
I assume I will want to discuss dosage with my Medical Doctor of Psychiatrist of 10 years – and especially how it will interact with my existing meds. Do you expect the CBD to work by itself – and go off your meds. Or do you use CBD to supplement your meds – and possibly reduce the dosage required of existing meds.
I have no experience with your meds but just reading about the wide variety of severe side effects of ALL your meds, then how can someone recommend them to anyone with a (bipolar) depression. For example, one of the many serious side effects of Nuvigil is depression, just google nuvigil side effects. Besides that, methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a meth like drug: https://erowid.org/ask/ask.php?ID=2846
Do you know why your doctor prescribed you drugs that are not intended to help with a depression if that is your only condition? Know your body, mind, drugs and demand answers. Do you have any of those side effects? Does it help at all or going more in a downward spiral?
Maybe this is why you started to look for a natural remedy. Have you read about any such severe CBD side effects? I encourage everyone to always do their own research, but I couldn’t find anything severe and I have used CBD even in very high doses without any unpleasant side effects. It makes me calm and at peace at times I feel anxious and depressed when things aren’t going so great. Inform your psychiatrist about CBD and if you can gradually get of your drugs to replace it with CBD.