CBD Oil For Depression: The Effective Natural Treatment Alternative

According to the latest WHO fact sheet about depression, the condition is one of the most common mental disorders today. Globally, over 300 million people are suffering from depression, and the disease contributes to the general universal burden of sickness. It is estimated that 15% of adults are going to experience depression in their lifetime.

Looking at those WHO statistics above, it is clear to see that numerous people are affected by depression. This is an extremely debilitating condition that can adversely affect every part of an individual’s life. At worst, it can result in suicide, hence the importance of finding an effective treatment.

Every individual instance of depression is unique, which means that applying standardized treatments may not be very successful across all cases. Additionally, the pharmaceutical products that are prescribed for people with depression are typically associated with multiple side effects that are almost as disabling as the condition itself. Also, many people struggle to find the most suitable medication for their situation.

That is why many folks today are looking at natural alternatives like CBD oil for depression. Even though more research must be done to prove these claims, mounting evidence shows that CBD might be an effective, viable alternative treatment that assists in alleviating the symptoms related to depression. In the following article, we will discuss some of the primary depression symptoms, review the treatments available, explore the idea of using cannabidiol for depression, and also direct you to the best CBD oil for depression (see below).

Types Of Depression

Depending on how many symptoms are experienced as well as their severity, depressive episodes are categorized anywhere from mild to moderate to severe. However, if it goes untreated, then it can transform into chronic or manic depression.

Recurrent Depression

This particular form of depression involves numerous depressive episodes where the patient typically experienced loss of enjoyment and interest, reduced energy and depressed mood. The result is diminished physical activity for about two weeks. Most people with this kind of depression will also be plagued with symptoms of anxiety, disturbed appetite, and sleep and may even have feelings of low self-esteem, poor concentration, guilt, and various other medically unexplained symptoms.

Bipolar Affective Sickness

This form of depression consists of both recurrent depressive and manic episodes divided by duration of normal, healthy mood. The manic episodes include irritable or elevated mood, inflated self-confidence, poor sleep quality, and over activity. During the severe depression episodes, the sufferer will often have a hard time continuing with their regular work, domestic or social activities.

Fortunately, the use of CBD oil for depression can offer much-needed relief from the symptoms mentioned above to improve the quality of life for people with this condition.

Summary Of Depression Symptoms

Depression symptoms vary in duration and severity, and it affects the person’s overall life. Here are the primary symptoms linked to depression.

• Constant feeling of pessimism and sadness
• Feeling hopeless and worthless
• Irritability
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Lack of appetite
• Aches or pain all over the body, like cramps, stomachaches, and headaches
• Lack of energy and concentration
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Unpredictable decision making
• Thoughts about suicide

It is worth noting that not all these symptoms will be present across all depression cases. That is one of the issues that make this disorder challenging to identify and manage, hence the need of considering alternative solutions like the best CBD oil for depression as discussed further below.

Reviewing Accepted Treatments For Depression

As with most mood conditions, the treatment plan for depression depends on a mixture of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. It involves balancing the right medication along with a psychological strategy, which will help to monitor and gradually lower the intake of pharmaceutical drugs.

Pharmacotherapy

Doctors will prescribe antidepressants to deal with depression. Some of these drugs include SSRIs and TCAs that attempt to cure the disorder from the chemical viewpoint. Healthcare professionals strongly believe that chemical imbalances within the brain might cause depression. Hence, these antidepressants assist people to create a healthier chemical balance in the mind that minimizes the symptoms of depression. See also our post on serotonin and anxiety

Psychotherapy

The other standard treatment for depression that can either be used on its own or along with medication is psychotherapy. Psychotherapists use multiple approaches to help in identifying the causes of a patient’s depression. That includes dealing with life-changing events, like violent trauma or dealing with the loss of loved ones, identifying distorted thought patterns as well as exposing any behavior patterns responsible for creating negative thoughts that lead to depression.

Exploring An Alternative Treatment Option: Using CBD Oil For Depression

A notable challenge that is evident across both the accepted modes of treatment mentioned above is the fact that they aren’t as useful for every depression patient. According to research carried out recently, scientists discovered that out of a group of 100 people, only 20 people who were taking antidepressants saw any notable beneficial improvements within the first two months of treatment. Additionally, taking these antidepressants is also linked to a combination of adverse effects.

Common Adverse Effects Of Taking Antidepressant Drugs

• Nausea and drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Loss of libido
• Cloudy thinking
• Loss of emotions
• Blurred vision and dry mouth
• Insomnia
• Weight gain and increased appetite
• Agitation and irritability
• Anxiety

It is, thus, not surprising that most people with depression are now interested in using natural remedies. Also, the medicinal benefits of hemp extracts have started to be highlighted, which has driven many people to turn towards using CBD oil for depression.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD or cannabidiol is one of the natural compounds found inside hemp plants. This plant-extract is what is used to make the oil that is sold in small tinctures. The CBD oil contains all the necessary, beneficial chemicals that our bodies need to maintain optimal health. Other plants that also produce useful cannabinoids include cacao, black truffles, and black pepper among others. As part of the body’s endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids help in regulating essential functions like eating, sleeping and the sensitivity to pain.

Cannabis contains two primary cannabinoids, THC and CBD. However, unlike THC, CBD isn’t a psychoactive compound, and it can’t generate that high or euphoric feeling related to smoking marijuana. Nevertheless, those who use CBD oil for depression typically report feeling a relaxing, soothing effect. That is why it is also recommended for people with anxiety issues.

CBD oil is processed from industrial hemp, and the final product usually has a very tiny percentage of THC. There is only 0.3% of THC in CBD oil, which is quite minuscule considering that you need at least 30% THC to produce the psychoactive effects of taking marijuana. That means you can take CBD oil safely without getting high and get all its strong depression fighting benefits.

How Does CBD Oil Work To Treat Depression?

Before you consider looking for the best CBD oil for depression, it is important to note the following facts. CBD extracts are great at reducing chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, lack of appetite, and various other depression systems. The derivatives of the hemp plant have long been used for treating several symptoms including pain and stress, which has led to depressed patients turning to this natural form of treatment for support.

So, CBD oil works by targeting the symptoms of depression and alleviating those symptoms. In a research done by scientists in Germany, the active cannabinoids in CBD oil were found to effectively target and elevate serotonin receptor transmission within the brain, particularly the 5-HT1A receptors. Through helping to reduce serotonin absorption, the brain would respond by communicating positive signals, thus aiding in combating the depression symptoms.

Furthermore, evidence from clinical studies has shown that CBD oil stimulates hippocampal growth, which triggers new neurons to start being produced. That condition is called neurogenesis, and it can be an excellent tool in reducing the symptoms of both depression and anxiety.

Here is an explanation of how CBD oil for depression works to treat the significant depression symptoms:

Provide Restful Sleep

Depressed people often find it hard to sleep at night and will suffer from insomnia. One of the significant benefits of using the best CBD oil for depression is that it allows these people to restore their healthy sleep cycles.

Cannabidiol has been shown to have a substantial effect on regulating sleep and establishing normal, better sleep patterns. The result is that you will wake up well rested and less-stressed, which has a significant impact on your mental health.

Diet Stabilization

While most people quickly understand the relationship between physical illness and nutritional deficiencies, very few people know that there is a link between depression and nutrition as well. However, food can be critical in the development, duration, and severity of depression. That includes things like skipping meals, poor appetite and increased need for unhealthy, sweet foods. CBD oil interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain that help in regulating your appetite, thus minimizing the risk of over- or under-eating.

CBD Fights Sadness

Dopamine and serotonin are two vital brain neurotransmitters related with the pleasure and enjoyment sensations. People who suffer from depression have low levels of these two crucial neurotransmitters within their brains. Researchers have noted that one advantage of using CBD oil for depression is that it encourages the mind to release serotonin and dopamine. The result is that it gives the patient an extra boost of pleasure, calm, happiness and motivation.

Pain Relief

CBD initially gained popularity due to its strong capacity for treating chronic and severe pain. There is also plenty of research demonstrating the analgesic ability of CBD and that is a vital reason why marijuana and its extracts have been used for treating cancer-related pain issues.

Anxiety And Stress Relief

Stress and anxiety are conditions that affect nearly everyone in most parts of life, whether it is productivity, health or social life. CBD oil is a product that has massive psychiatric potential due to its anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects. Most of the available studies on this topic have demonstrated positive results in both chemical and behavioral levels for minimizing anxiety and stress.

Fight Addiction

There is a notable link between addiction and depression, but it is unclear whether depressed people turn to drug addiction or whether substance abuse induces major depressive disorder. Preliminary results from several studies show that CBD may assist people to overcome their drug addictions. If you have been struggling with addictive behaviors, like cocaine, tobacco or opioid use, then using CBD for depression can help you treat those behaviors.

Regulating Mood

When you are depressed, you find it hard to feel enjoyment in typically enjoyable activities. You also lack the motivation to do basic tasks due to being in a sour mood all the time. Recent research findings now show that CBD oil might have a potent antidepressant impact that makes it ideal for depression and other mood ailments.

What Is the Ideal Dosage Of CBD Oil For Depression?

Since the cause and symptoms of depression can vary from one person to the next, the ideal dosage of CBD oil can greatly vary, thus creating lots of confusion. However, if you are taking the best CBD oil for depression, you should aim for an average amount of 25mg per day. If you want to tackle stronger symptoms, then you can slowly increase the dosage until you notice a positive change. Every patient is unique, so you’ll have to use the best CBD oil dose based on your needs.

Conclusion: Get Top Quality CBD Oil From The Right Place

Now that you have seen the enormous potential of CBD oil for fighting depression, the next question is where to get some top quality products. You must ensure that you are getting the highest grade CBD oil to receive all the benefits listed above. The best CBD oil for depression is Verified CBD Oil, and it is available in a variety of formulations to fit your unique preferences. Verified have world-class facilities and are regularly inspected by third-party firms, thus ensuring the high standards of quality are maintained throughout. Get Verified CBD Oil from Longevity 120 today and start fighting your depression more effectively.