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Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, and over 16 million Americans from every walk of life suffer from depression every year. It is estimated by the World Health Organization that around 280 million people suffer from depression worldwide.
Clinical depression can seriously impede your ability to fulfill basic aspects of daily living, including work and relationships. While exercise can reduce your chances of depression, unfortunately, it’s not a total safeguard. Even athletes are not immune to mental illness, with many suffering from depression and anxiety.
Clinical depression can make it seemingly impossible to carry out your life as usual and perform to your expectations. Unfortunately, many people don’t seek help for their depression and suffer silently, but there are effective treatments out there.
Anyone suffering from depression should first seek help from their personal physician and a psychiatric specialist. For many years, however, increasing numbers of people have also begun experimenting with CBD, with many reporting that it plays a positive part in supporting their mood.
Let’s take a closer look at using CBD to support your mental health, including those symptoms that feel like depression: the benefits, what the research shows, and the best CBD products to improve your mental health.
Depression and Athletes
Depression is common in high-achieving people generally, and that includes athletes. In fact, athletes who suffered an injury within the last year are significantly more likely to report high on depression scores.
There are a number of causes leading to depression in athletes. From a high-pressure lifestyle and travel schedule, demands on your body, and the stress of competition – a life driven by high performance can create the right conditions for clinical depression.
For professional athletes whose identity is closely tied to their sports career, career termination can be devastating, and can trigger a depressive episode.
In addition, concussions can also lead to changes in brain chemistry which makes it more likely to experience depression symptoms.
So, in conjunction with appropriate clinical psychiatric treatments, can CBD help athletes prevent and alleviate their depression?
CBD and Mental Health
One thing to understand about depression is its link to chronic pain. In fact, this 2017 review “revealed that chronic pain, as a stress state, often induced depression and that up to 85% of patients with chronic pain are affected by severe depression”. This isn’t surprising, as chronic pain seriously impacts your life and impedes your ability to carry out and enjoy your daily activities.
Evidence shows that cannabinoids are proven to reduce pain stemming from a variety of causes. This 2018 review found that “Fifteen of the 18 trials demonstrated a significant analgesic effect of cannabinoids as compared to placebo.”
CBD for Depression and Anxiety Disorders
How does CBD stack up against treatments for depression and anxiety?
It’s often thought that depression is linked to low levels of serotonin in the brain. CBD does not directly improve serotonin levels; however, it may still interact with your brain’s serotonin receptors. How does this work? Well, CBD may impact how the chemical receptors respond to the serotonin already present in your brain.
Evidence of CBD’s antidepressant actions in humans is still scarce. However, in a clinical trial carried out in patients with chronic pain, high doses of nabiximols (herbal preparation containing a defined quantity of specific cannabinoids formulated for oromucosal spray administration) significantly reduced mood state. Interestingly, oral CBD significantly decreased depressive and psychotic symptoms in cannabis users.
A 2014 study on rats found that CBD offered both antidepressant and anti-anxiety benefits on the brain’s receptors. Researchers found that “Seven days of treatment with CBD reduced mechanical allodynia, decreased anxiety-like behavior, and normalized 5-HT activity.”
Another meta-analysis from 2018 found that “CBD was shown to have anxiolytic, antipsychotic and neuroprotective properties. In addition, basic and clinical investigations on the effects of CBD have been carried out in the context of many other health conditions, including its potential use in epilepsy, substance abuse and dependence, schizophrenia, social phobia, post-traumatic stress, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, and Parkinson’s”.
In fact, CBD may even have some advantages over pharmaceutical antidepressant medications! A 2019 study found that CBD may be able to treat depression in rats even faster than prescription drugs, and also have a lasting effect.
This study on rats sought to demonstrate “whether CBD could induce rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects after a single administration”. Encouragingly, “Results showed that a single dose of CBD dose-dependently induced an antidepressant-like effect.”
Prescription antidepressants often come with many unwanted side effects including indigestion, weight gain or loss, reduced libido, appetite loss, dizziness, flat affect, and shakiness. Plus, they can take at least six weeks to take effect.
People suffering from depression may find that CBD acts very quickly to help support their mood without some of the same side effects. However, depression is complex and serious, and it’s imperative that people talk to their doctor before making any changes to their pharmacological routine. It’s possible that CBD could interact with other prescription medications you are taking. Remember, ceasing antidepressant medical abruptly is dangerous and can cause serious health complications.
Studies on CBD and depression are ongoing, and more human studies are needed. However, animal studies are promising. With few side effects and many people finding that CBD helps with their depression symptoms, it may be worth a try.
Types of CBD Products
When choosing a CBD product to try, the most important thing is to choose a high quality product. Low quality products are often mislabeled, with the dosing not matching what is on the bottle.
In the case of CBD gummies, for instance, some low quality CBD brands will buy cheap gummies already produced and then simply drop CBD oil onto them. This makes the CBD dosing inconsistent, which negates one of the key benefits of CBD gummies which is reliable dosing.
Brands that properly infuse gummies will blend the CBD and gelatin or pectin together and homogenize it prior to the gummies being cured. This results in consistent dosing between each individual gummy, so you can trust that the gummies actually contain what the label says.
Ensure you choose CBD that has been tested by third party ISO certified laboratories and contains low amounts of THC. All of MojaveRx’s products are third party tested and approved!
There are a variety of ways you can consume CBD products. There is no right one for everyone; the best CBD will depend on your needs and preferences.
Many people with symptoms of depression find that CBD tinctures and CBD gummies are the quickest and easiest ways to consume CBD.
The most effective type of CBD can vary greatly from person to person. Try out a few CBD consumption methods for yourself, and see what type works best for you.
We recommend using a CBD isolate instead of a full or broad spectrum product. An isolate is the purest form of CBD, so it’s great for first-time CBD users who want to try it out on its own without the influence of other cannabinoid compounds.
With CBD isolate you can take a higher dosage, potentially offering more mental health benefits, without worrying about also increasing the levels of THC. Plus, because CBD isolate is purified, it contains no taste or odor.
MojaveRX has a variety of CBD products to suit your needs. All of our products can be helpful in treating symptoms of depression, and we also offer specialized formulas to help with sleep, athletic recovery, and pain relief. If you are unsure which product is best for you, our customer service team will be happy to guide you in the right direction.
Depression, CBD and You
Chronic clinical depression is notoriously challenging to treat. However, even short-term and circumstantial depression can be devastating and seriously impact your life. If you are suffering from depression, you deserve to get the help you need.
Often athletes can be highly functional, self-sufficient people who hesitate to ask for help. But untreated depression can become serious fast. Psychiatric care in the form of pharmaceutical intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, or counseling can get you back on track.
CBD can be an excellent supportive regime to use in conjunction with other treatment methods. If you need support finding the right CBD product to suit your needs, reach out to MojaveRx and we will be more than happy to help you.
CBD for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include depression, flashbacks, hyperarousal, extreme anxiety, and sleeping disorders.
Some research suggests that CBD may help to reduce symptoms of PTSD by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to help regulate mood, memory, and anxiety. By reducing symptoms of PTSD, CBD may help people to feel more relaxed and improve their ability to focus, and reduce other symptoms of PTSD such as depression and anxiety.
At the moment, more clinical trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic potential of CBD for the treatment for PTSD.
Final Thoughts
Depression is a serious condition that can profoundly impact every aspect of a person’s life. While many conventional treatments are available, many people choose to explore natural alternatives like CBD oil to use in conjunction with other treatment methods.
Clinical data on the use of CBD for depression, anxiety, and pain relief is still ongoing, but the results of preliminary studies are highly encouraging. With the anecdotal evidence and recent scientific findings, it’s safe to say that CBD could be a promising natural option for people with depression.
Faq
How should I take CBD for depression?
The good news is that there are several ways of taking CBD; you can choose from gummies, tinctures, or salves. Most people try a few before finding a preferred method and product that works best for them.
Are there any risks associated with using CBD for depression?
CBD is generally considered safe, with few side effects; some users report fatigue, nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness. However, the majority of people don’t experience any side effects.
CBD products can interact with antidepressant medication and other medications. If you’re considering taking CBD for depression, you should talk to your doctor regarding your options.
In addition, the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, so there is no guarantee of their quality or potency. This is why choosing a reputable brand such as Mojave Rx that is third-party lab tested to ensure a CBD purity greater than 99% is essential.
How long does it take for CBD to help depression?
The effects of CBD on depression are uncertain and can vary depending on the individual. Some people may feel an immediate improvement, while others may not notice any change for a few days or even weeks. If you don’t notice any improvement after a couple of weeks, it might be necessary to increase the dosage. According to a study from 2019, a young person dealing with anxiety and depression was treated for 8-weeks and was able to quit taking the antidepressant medications they were prescribed.
Will CBD make me high?
No, the chemical compound in CBD, cannabidiol, will not make you high. The Chemical compound in marijuana that has psychoactive effects and gives users a buzz is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). You may experience a feeling of relaxation when taking CBD, but you will not get high from it.
Is CBD legal?
The legal status of CBD depends on where it comes from. CBD derived from hemp plants is mostly legal in all 50 states. CBD must be hemp-derived and have no more than 0.3 percent THC in order to be lawful under federal law. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, making it legal to produce and sell hemp products in the United States.
Disclaimer
The statements expressed on this website are purely opinion of the author and not factual. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referenced on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It’s highly suggested to consult with your medical professional prior to any use of the products referenced on this website. This website and author specifically disclaim any liability in connection with the products contained on the website.
