CBD: does it help treat depression?

Research on depression – the effects of CBD

There are speculations that CBD may be particularly helpful in the treatment of depression - it has most of the properties of THC, but without the psychoactive effect. A study published in 2018 analyzed the effects of using CBD in the fight against depression in rodents - it was found that just a single dose can produce a quick and lasting antidepressant effect. In 2014, a review of research using animals also found the anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects of CBD. This may be directly related to the level of serotonin in the central nervous system, where the most CB1 receptors activated by cannabinoids, e.g. CBD, are located. Therefore, it seems that CBD preparations may prove to be a promising therapy for people experiencing anxiety and depression, as well as sleep problems.

CBD dosage

First of all, before you start using CBD preparations to treat depression, consult your doctor who will help you decide which preparation will be most suitable for you and how it should be dosed. General CBD dosage recommendations for depression are very average because there is not enough research yet to estimate them precisely.

• A study published in 2018 found that a single dose of CBD (from 10 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg) showed an antidepressant effect lasting about 7 days. However, please note that this study was conducted on rodents, not humans.
• There is also a human study that showed that a single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight was similarly effective - but the study focused on people who suffered from anxiety disorders, not depression. 
• another study looking at CBD dosing for various conditions and symptoms , such as seizures, anxiety, and Parkinson's disease, found that the active daily dosage range was 1 to 50 mg of CBD for every kilogram of body weight - studies that used higher doses, tended to have better therapeutic results.

Considering that there is not much data on this topic, one can benefit from the limited clinical data examining the use of CBD preparations for the treatment of depression and social anxiety . Study owners recommend starting the dosage at 10 mg/kg body weight, gradually increasing the dose according to individual needs.

How do cannabinoids work on depression?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) exists in all vertebrates and helps regulate key functions such as sleep, pain and appetite. The human body produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, which modulate and activate its various functions - at the same time, they can also be activated using cannabinoids derived from hemp , which react with CB1 and CB1 receptors that are scattered throughout our body. The endocannabinoid system is involved in mood regulation and, according to scientists, CB1 receptors found mainly in the brain may have a real impact on the occurrence and prevention of depression.