How CBD Can Help Treat Depression

CBD is an increasingly popular herbal remedy for treating depression. Learn more about how it works and how to use it safely.

How CBD Can Help Treat Depression

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a popular herbal remedy among enthusiasts. It is one of the two main chemical entities found in the cannabis plant, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is a 5HT-1A receptor agonist, which, when combined with its action on cannabinoid receptors, can produce a unique effect. It is relatively safe as it avoids by-products produced by burning plant material and can be adjusted to a desired temperature to maximize the effects of CBD. Many people choose to take CBD orally, using various tinctures, capsules, and oils.

It can be more effective when taken regularly. We turned to some of the country's leading CBD experts to provide you with the most up-to-date information possible. Only 19% of those surveyed consulted a doctor or pharmacist about taking CBD, and the majority of those surveyed (59%) consume CBD daily. Researchers believe that CBD helps repair neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which are damaged as a result of depression. When CBD enters the body, it is distributed in the endocannabinoid system (known as the ECS) through the bloodstream.

It's not known exactly how CBD oil fights anxiety, but it's thought to work with a brain receptor called CB1. The majority of those surveyed were or are still being treated by a psychiatrist (55%) and began using CBD to treat depressive mood (69%). Experts believe that careful dosing of CBD can help moderate anxiety-induced accelerated thoughts that can cause sleep disorders. If you want to use CBD to treat depression, consider whether it could interact with medications you're currently taking. Since it's a fairly new and little-known product, it's important to learn all you can about CBD oil for anxiety and depression and talk to your mental health provider before deciding to try it. The results can be felt in just two weeks.