Can CBD Help With Depression?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsHow It’s TakenPossible Side EffectsSafetyCBD vs. Antidepressants

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits

How It’s Taken

Possible Side Effects

Safety

CBD vs. Antidepressants

Interest in the potential mental health uses ofcannabidiol(CBD) has grown tremendously in recent years, including the use of CBD fordepression. CBD is a chemical compound found in theCannabis sativaplant, also known as marijuana or hemp.

Cannabis contains more than 80 compounds, known as cannabinoids. The main cannabinoid that most people are more familiar with istetrahydrocannabinol(THC), which is the psychoactive substance that produces the “high” characteristic of marijuana.

CBD, on the other hand, is purported to have a wide range of health benefits without these psychoactive effects. Some research suggests that CBD has antidepressant-like effects, which means it may hold promise in alleviating symptoms of depression.

CBD vs. THC: What’s the Difference?

Despite claims about CBD’s purported mental health benefits, it is important to understand that the research on its use is still limited. There have been studies done, but many of these have limitations and further research is needed in order to fully understand CBD’s therapeutic potential.

Research suggests that CBD has antidepressant effects, although it is important to note that many of these are animal studies.

Another study found that CBD had a “clear anti-stress effect,” which might play a role in reducing stress levels that contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Cannabidiol is available in several different forms, although only those that are ingested are likely to produce any antidepressant-like effects or other mental health benefits. It may be taken orally as an oil, spray, or capsule. CBD may also be added to edible products including beverages, candies, or chewable gummies.

CBD can also be used topically in creams, salves, lotions, and balms, although it is likely to only produce localized effects in this form. E-liquids that are inhaled viavapingare also available, though vaping comes with its own risks.

It is also important to note that CBD is available in isolate (only CBD), broad-spectrum (contains other cannabinoids but not THC), and full-spectrum (contains other cannabinoids, including THC).

Most of the available research suggests that CBD is generally well-tolerated and produces few side effects. However, this does not mean that people may not experience any unwanted side effects, which may include:

According to the World Health Organization, the available evidence suggests that CBD is relatively safe.However, the long-term effects are not entirely clear.

One of the biggest concerns that consumers face when purchasing CBD products is the lack of FDA regulation.

CBD products are not subject to regulation because they are marketed as supplements, which means that you don’t know if you are really getting what is described on the label. Because these products are not regulated, you have no way of knowing for sure what you are getting in terms of purity, safety, and dosage.

So how does CBD compare to traditional antidepressants? True comparisons of the effects are not yet possible simply because there is not enough research on CBD’s effects.

CBD holds promise, but that does not mean that you should turn to cannabidiol products over traditional treatments for depression.

A Word From Verywell

The bottom line when it comes to CBD’s potential as a treatment for depression is that more research is needed. Most of the evidence supporting CBD’s antidepressant effects comes from animal studies or small trials, and one of the largest reviews of the research found that the available evidence is not strong enough to recommend CBD as a treatment for depression.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. Depression may worsen over time if left untreated, but there areeffective treatmentsavailable including psychotherapy and medications.

If you are interested in using CBD to alleviate symptoms of depression in conjunction with other treatments, always talk to your doctor first about how to use it and about any possible medication interactions.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Clinical Depression: Everything You Need to Know

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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Crippa JA, Guimarães FS, Campos AC, Zuardi AW.Translational investigation of the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD): toward a new age.Front Immunol. 2018;9:2009. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02009

Ewing LE, Skinner CM, Quick CM, et al.Hepatotoxicity of a cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in the mouse model.Molecules. 2019;24(9). doi:10.3390/molecules24091694

World Health Organization.Cannabidiol (CBD).

Bonn-miller MO, Loflin MJE, Thomas BF, Marcu JP, Hyke T, Vandrey R.Labeling accuracy of cannabidiol extracts sold online.JAMA. 2017;318(17):1708-1709. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.11909

Poklis JL, Mulder HA, Peace MR.The unexpected identification of the cannabimimetic, 5F-ADB, and dextromethorphan in commercially available cannabidiol e-liquids.Forensic Sci Int. 2019;294:e25-e27. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.10.019

Sales AJ, Fogaça MV, Sartim AG,et al.Cannabidiol induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects through increased BDNF signaling and synaptogenesis in the prefrontal cortex.Mol Neurobiol56, 1070–1081 (2019). doi:10.1007/s12035-018-1143-4

Black N, Stockings E, Campbell G, Tran LT, Zagic D, Hall WD, et al.Cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and symptoms of mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(112):P995-1010. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30401-8

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