Research Suggests CBD Depression Treatment May Be an Option

CBD, or cannabidiol, is becoming a popular treatment for an increasing number of ailments. Though CBD continues to increase in popularity, many people are not sure about how CBD can be useful. In the same time that CBD use has grown, depression has been plaguing America. Although there are a number of successful treatments for depression, those suffering from the condition continue to seek alternative medications with fewer side effects than traditional over the counter methods.

Research Finds CBD May Be Helpful Against Depression

Research from 2014 released by CNS and Neurological Disorders found that CBD carries antidepressant-like properties. The research concluded that, “more studies are necessary using CBD as an antidepressant-like drug to better understand its mechanisms of action.” However, the research also revealed that, “the results have been very promising, and we can conclude that CBD can become a new drug for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.”

CBD has more potential than tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) as a treatment for depression because CBD has none of the potential psychoactive effects. THC’s psychoactive nature has the possibility to bring about a number of side effects that patients could be negatively impacted by. The research conducted by CNS and Neurological Disorders cautioned, like most other studies regarding cannabis or cannabidiol, that while preliminary results are promising, more studies are required before any concrete claims can be made. 

Cannabis As A Mental Health Treatment 

CBD having potential as a treatment for depression should not surprise anyone. Cannabis and its most prevalent compounds have been considered a potential treatment for a number of mental health conditions for some time. A study conducted by Washington State University found that, “at least 10 puffs of marijuana high in both CBD and THC led to significant reductions in self-reported stress.” 

Another study looking into the effects of cannabis on the mind found that monitored CBD consumption had a number of positive outcomes. The study, published by Frontiers in Immunology, found CBD to have “antipsychotic and neuroprotective properties.” In addition, there were basic and clinical investigations on the effects of CBD have been carried out in the context of many other health conditions.”

As stated in the CNS and Neurological Disorders study, the research into potential CBD depression treatment is promising. However, the quantity and depth of studies needs to increase before CBD can be truly recommended as an all encompassing treatment for depression.

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