Unfortunately, depression is a common mental health problem. It’s serious, and it causes a person to harbor negative thoughts about themselves and society in general.
Persons suffering from depression are usually aloof and may lose interest in society, and even in fun activities they once enjoyed.
Given that depression takes a massive toll on both physical and mental health, it affects an individual’s emotions as well as productiveness at work and at home.
Now, depression varies in intensity ranging from mild to severe. Some people even suffer from relocation depression. Some of the common symptoms of this condition include:
- Sadness
- Loss of interest in activities that were once fun
- Sleeping disorder
- Weight gain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy and persistent fatigue
- Feeling guilty
- Low self-confidence
- Finding it hard to focus and concentrate
- Not able to make insightful thoughts
- Suicidal tendencies
But the good news is that depression can be treated. And with the right lifestyle adjustments and medication, a patient can even make a full recovery.
Why is depression such a serious condition?
The rate at which the number of people suffering from depression is rising is worrying. And unfortunately, given that the early symptoms of depression are not easy to pick out, it may be hard to tell if someone is or has gone through depression by simply observing their behavior and activities.
As already mentioned, depression is a serious condition and may even take away the joy of life from those suffering from it. And in the event it’s left untreated for long periods, the resulting consequences are dire.
Depression has recently captured the attention of many experts due to the rise in the number of individuals committing suicide. We’ve seen celebrities with thriving careers, and seemingly great lives lose their lives as a result of depression.
Yes, even if the individual doesn’t have suicidal tendencies, it’s easy for them to fall into addiction as a way of escaping the adverse effects of this condition.
This may make matters worse since a combination of drugs, depression, and alcohol is fatal. The one thing that can help depression patients is for them to believe that the toughest times will pass and that they will emerge victorious and even more powerful and stronger than they came in.
Keep track of medication and diet. And once in a while, a change of scenery works like magic in depression patients regardless of its severity. It is crucial that you take this condition seriously as there is always a chance of patients inflicting harm on themselves through impulsive and uncontrolled behavior which can lead to some life-threatening injuries.
Can you use CBD oil to treat Depression?
Long ago, cannabis was used to enhance relaxation and mental health. Ever since a lot of research has been carried on marijuana to discover its other benefits.
The good news is that experts have unearthed a wealth of health benefits including using CBD oil for depression, pain, anxiety, cancer, and arthritis among other conditions.
CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD is one of the over 100 Chemical compounds found in the marijuana plant. THC is another common component found in the cannabis plant. It is responsible for the mind-altering properties of the marijuana plant.
Now, CBD is not psychoactive, and as such, can be used by any marijuana patient. As a matter of fact, when CBD is taken alongside THC, it counteracts the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
CBD is also famous for controlling psychosis and anxiety. Additionally, CBD is gaining popularity as an effective treatment for depression. It yields results pretty fast (usually after a few hours of ingestion)
According to research, those patients who take CBD regularly, experience a significant reduction in hyperactivity. Additionally, they claim to be in better moods.
HOW Does CBD Work?
CBD oil yield its effects in a simple way. It affects serotonin levels in your body. Serotonin is a natural chemical produced by the body.
Its levels are altered by physical and environmental factors. When the levels of serotonin are affected, several bodily functions are affected as well. These changes could lead to mental health problems.
Since CBD directly affects serotonin levels, it has the potential of providing relief from depression, anxiety, and other related mental health problems.
Another reason why CBD oil is beneficial to depression patients is that it allows them to have undisturbed and natural sleep throughout the night.
This saves them from insomnia which usually makes depression even worse. When the body is well rested, there are high chances that it will nurse itself back to normal than when it’s under stress due to lack of sleep and rest.
As such, CBD helps to ease symptoms of depression in patients.
Other Benefits of CBD Oil
Studies that have been conducted show that;
- It helps in reducing anxiety in patients
- It helps in improving the mood and enhancing memory
- It improves one’s appetite, boosts the immune system and induces natural sleep
- Helps reduce the chances of experiencing seizures
- It doesn’t cause patients to get high
IS CBD Oil A Better Option than Antidepressant Drugs?
Many health experts view CBD oil as an excellent option for combating depression for a couple of reasons.
First, the human body has a high tolerance for CBD oils. Second, it yields fast results (though this depends on the method of administration).
Third, it doesn’t cause any of the side effects that most antidepressant drugs have. Some of these effects include;
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Violent tendencies
- Imbalanced serotonin levels
Who Benefits from CBD Oil?
Given the fact that no adverse effects have been linked to the use of CBD oils, it can be taken by anyone. However, patients have to be careful to stick to the dosage.
For pregnant women, they should only use it under the strict supervision of their doctors. This also applies to patients undergoing long term treatment for other health problems.
If you are on some medication, consult your doctor before taking CBD oil. This will ensure that you do not experience any possible adverse effects as a result of interaction between CBD and your current medications.
Dosage for CBD Oils When Treating Depression
Health experts recommend that you take between 40 and 160mg of CBD on a daily basis. However, instead of taking this dosage all at once, it’s best if you spread out the dosage throughout the day. Start with 3-5 drops twice a day and increase it gradually.
Bottom Line – Can You Use CBD for Depression?
CBD is a naturally occurring chemical extracted from Cannabis. And though some country still forbids its medical use, studies have revealed that CBD has lots of benefits in treating conditions like mood disorders, depression, inflammatory diseases, and anxiety.
Apart from improving depressive symptoms in patients, CBD also boosts the overall quality of life in users.
However, it is important to note that CBD is not the overall cure for depression. It merely helps to ease the symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patient.
For depression treatment, you’ll have to consult your doctor. There are several treatment options available including the use of CBD Sprays, edibles, and sprays among others. With that said, you can buy CBD oil online. However, make sure you are buying from a known brand to protect yourself from counterfeit products.