Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid naturally found in the cannabis family of plants, especially the hemp plant. It is also found in the marijuana plant, but this is illegal because it contains higher amounts of psychotropic cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In this article, we will look at the potential use of CBD oil for treating the symptoms of depression; read on to know more about this.
CBD Uses
The research around the therapeutic uses of CBD is limited, and this is the main reason that it is not used as part of the conventional treatment. Due to this, more studies are conducted to understand how it produces its physiological effects and how it works at the cellular level. However, many of these studies were conducted on animals in the last decade. Hence, many healthcare experts think that the possible beneficial effect of CBD on depression is speculative.
Listed below are some of the potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) on the symptoms of depression:
- Cognitive impairment
- Anxiety
- Difficulty with public speech
The Research
Depression develops due to low serotonin levels in the brain. It is speculated that CBD has a positive effect on the serotonin receptors in the brain. Also, animal studies have shown that cannabidiol improved the levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain. Furthermore, a study conducted in 2018 has shown that the anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol may help with reducing anxiety due to depression.
However, due to the lack of a sufficient number of conclusive studies about the potential therapeutic and medical uses of cannabidiol (CBD), scientists are conducting more research. Also, as researchers are getting a better understanding of them, the knowledge about the effectiveness of CBD health and wellness products will change.
A Comparison Between CBD Oil And Antidepressant Medications
Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD oil may have potential benefits over conventional antidepressant medications. According to a study, it was found that the antidepressant effect of cannabidiol (CBD) is fast, and this lasts for a longer period. On the contrary, most antidepressant medications take at least a week to show their complete effects.
Before taking CBD oil for depression, you must consult a physician because it might not be equally effective for all. Keep these important points in mind before using CBD for depression and other mental health issues.