Does CBD Help With Depression?

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

CBD is a chemical found in marijuana, but unlike marijuana, it does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high.¹ CBD can be derived from hemp or non-hemp plants.² Hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% of THC.(FN2) CBD has become more widespread and can be purchased legally, given its status as deriving the hemp plant. Hemp was defined under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and amended by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.¹ The usual CBD formulation is oil, but CBD is also sold as an extract, a vaporized liquid, and an oil-based capsule.

Is CBD Legal?

CBD is legal, although its status is not universal. The Agricultural Improvement Act permitted the legal sale of hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products; however, it does not affect or modify the federal authority to regulate hemp and hemp-derived products. Nor does it preempt or limit state or tribal laws on hemp production that are more stringent.

Does CBD Help With Depression?

The jury is still out on how effective CBD is as a reliable and valid form of antidepressant. It is well-researched in other areas, such as having anti-anxiety, anti-schizophrenia, and anti-inflammatory effects.⁴ Despite these positive effects, there is a serious lack of carefully controlled clinical research in the field, especially in human clinical studies.⁴ Animal studies on the anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of CBD have been around since thelate 1970s, with support showing that it can have positive effects.⁵ The lack of human studies should give pause until more robust research is done to ensure its efficacy.

CBD is believed to help with depression as studies have demonstrated it as a partial agonist of 5HT1a serotonin receptors.⁶ This is important as it’s these receptors that help with mood disorders, namely depression and anxiety. Marijuana users have been shown to have fewer depressive symptoms than those who have never tried marijuana.⁷ However, this alone does not indicate that CBD alone would have the same effects. There are many other social reasons why marijuana users would report and experience fewer depressive symptoms. Additionally, marijuana contains CBD and THC, and that confounds the results of which property is more prominent as an antidepressant.

How To Use CBD for Depression

Even if the research on CBD as a depression-relieving option is not robust, that does not stop individuals from using it and thinking it works or others promoting the benefits with incomplete clinical data. Individuals are currently using CBD to help with their depressive symptoms, and they use several different forms.

CBD comes in different forms and is administered in various ways including:

• CBD oils and tincture
• Gummies
• Powder
• Capsule
• Gel/Cream
• Vape

How Much CBD Should I Take For Depression?

CBD products, except for the prescription medication Epidiolex, are not FDA-approved.¹ When a product is not FDA approved it means that the standard dosing is not regulated or approved by a governing body. Different amounts of CBD have been used in various studies for conditions such as seizures, anxiety, and schizophrenia, but these can vary from study to study. Moreover, the purity and potency of these drugs are unknown.

A relatively small dose of CBD might be helpful for one person, and the same dose might not affect another person. Clinical trials help to determine standard dosing for a large portion  of the population, and currently, these types of trials do not exist to the extent that is necessary to say what is an accurate acceptable dose.

How Well Does CBD Work Compared To Other Treatments For Depression?

Different therapy modalities, medication, and physical activity have been proven to alleviate symptoms of depression and are categorized as standard care when treating depression. Given that CBD is not researched nearly to the extent that other forms of treatments for depression have been, it is difficult to make accurate comparisons. CBD may work anywhere on a spectrum from just as effective as standard care to not effective at all.

One main reason for clinical research is to weed out anecdotal evidence of a product having a particular effect. CBD needs to meet a threshold for it to be approved as a valid form of treatment, and outside of meeting such a threshold, positive results may be anecdotal from one person to the next.

Risks & Side Effects Of Using CBD For Depression

While CBD has gained popularity for its potential therapeutic benefits, including its purported ability to alleviate symptoms of depression, it is important to be aware of possible side effects. Common side effects may include changes in appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, and alterations in mood or irritability.

CBD may also produce psychotic effects or cognitive impairment in individuals who regularly use delta-9 THC products like marijuana.¹ Side effects are caused by a number of factors including, the strength and purity of the product, amount used, mode of administration, concurrent substance use and misuse, and interactions with prescribed drugs or other medications.¹

Some possible side effects of using CBD might include:

• Fatigue
• Male reproductive harm
• Increased irritability and low mood
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Fluctuations in blood pressure

Does CBD Work With Antidepressants?

There is no reliable evidence to conclude that CBD works with antidepressants. In fact, as noted earlier, one of the potential side effects of CBD is a harmful interaction between antidepressants or other medications for depression. It is important to note that the link between the taking of CBD and other classes of drugs has not been fully established. Combining CBD and an antidepressant may cause great harm and it should be avoided. It is always important to speak to your healthcare provider before starting medications.

Can You Become Addicted to CBD?

CBD does not produce psychoactive effects and has not shown to have the same abuse and dependency profile to that of marijuana.⁸ To date, there is no evidence of CBD addiction or public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD. In fact, CBD has shown to have some effectiveness related to helping people with weaning off certain substances and addiction to marijuana.⁹

When to Seek Professional Help for Depression

When to seek out professional help with a mental health provider is not always clear cut. If an individual consistently experiences a persistent low mood or feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness that interfere with daily life, it is a good sign that outside help is needed. Other signs include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels, as well as a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Increased irritability, restlessness, or reckless behavior are also problematic signs. Mentions of self-harm or suicide require immediate intervention, such as calling 911 or taking the person to a hospital.

There are many ways to find a suitable mental health practitioner, such as an online therapist directory or online therapy platform. An individual may find that therapy alone is not enough and require medication and a psychiatrist. An online psychiatrist option is a great place to start looking for medication management services.