CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is derived from chemical compounds found in the female hemp plant. This has suggested increasing attention in recent years as an alternative treatment for a variety of health problems. One potential use of CBD is for depression, a common mental illness that has a significant impact on the lives of sufferers. To find out in what form CBD can be a promising cure for depression, here you will find the most important information and knowledge from sound research results.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system in the human body that consists of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes. It plays an important role in regulating many bodily functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, pain perception and immune function. The two cannabinoid receptors in the ECS are CB1 and CB2 respectively. CB1 receptors are mainly located in the brain and nervous system and CB2 receptors are located in immune cells and some other body tissues.
CBD interacts with this system by inhibiting the action of enzymes that break down endocannabinoids. This can lead to increased availability of endocannabinoids in the body, which in turn can contribute to better regulation of mood and other bodily functions. An imbalance in the ECS is thought to be linked to various health problems, including depression and anxiety. By interacting with this system, CBD can help to balance this imbalance and thus contribute to the improvement of symptoms.
In a study by "The Permanente Journal", 72 subjects were tested who suffered from mood swings, anxiety and sleep problems. After taking CBD, their values improved significantly. The conditions were reduced within just one month and remained low over the course of the entire three-month study [1].
Theories suggest that CBD can influence serotonin synthesis in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for regulating mood such as sleep or appetite and other bodily functions. It is therefore assumed that a low serotonin level in the brain can be associated with depression. Taking CBD is thought to reduce inflammatory reactions in the brain, which are associated with depression and other mental disorders.
Patients with epilepsy often suffer from these kinds of side effects and are therefore more likely to suffer from depression. In a test with male mice, conclusions showed a positive effect. CBD was administered at intervals of 30 minutes. In combination with 2 milligrams of THC, these effects were observed when using 30 and 120 milligrams of CBD. A combination of CBD and THC is therefore demonstrably effective in the subjects tested. It is possible that these could also be helpful in dealing with depression in patients with epilepsy [2].
The need for further research and educational methods in the field of the effectiveness of CBD for depression was demonstrated by a study in "PubMed".
In a survey, people between the ages of 16 and 69 were examined who used CBD for the self-treatment of depression. The results were statistically analyzed using a social demographic questionnaire and an anxiety and depression scale. Most of the participants had a high school diploma, lived in large cities and had full-time jobs. Around 19 percent of all respondents contacted their doctor or pharmacist about taking the product. In the case of psychiatric patients, only 49 percent of respondents told their doctor about taking the product. This clearly shows the need for education and research into the efficacy and safety of CBD for mental disorders [3].
All in all, there is a growing number of studies that indicate a positive influence of CBD on depression. Most of the evidence suggests that CBD has an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect that can help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Other studies suggest that CBD has an impact on the endocannabinoid system and brain activity, which could also have a positive effect on healing depression.
It's important to emphasize that CBD alone is not a complete treatment for depression and you should generally use it as an adjunct to other treatments. Even though CBD is considered safe, you should always consult your doctor before taking CBD products to ensure there are no interactions with other medications. You can also rely on trustworthy sources that have already shown initial success. A potential guarantee of success for the future of alternative medicine.
Sources:
National Library of Medicine: Cannabidiol: A Potential New Alternative for the Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Psychotic Disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7699613/
CBD Vital Magazine: https://www.cbd-vital.de/magazin/cbd-allgemein/cbd-studien-forschung
Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Serieshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30624194/
The effects of CBD and THC in an animal model of depression - Further data from the FSThttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1388245721005137
Cannabidiol (CBD) in the Self-Treatment of Depression-Exploratory Study and a New Phenomenon of Concern for Psychiatristshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35392393/