The Effect of CBD on Depression

CBD And Depression

Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the 100+ natural compounds found in all cannabis plants. At the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Dr. Lumir Hanus along with American researcher Dr. William Devane discovered the endocannabinoid system in the human brain which is remarkably responsive to cannabis especially cannabinoids and cannabidiols. Our endocannabinoids are the molecules that act as chemical messengers in the “endocannabinoid system,” the parts of our nervous system containing cannabinoid cell receptors which respond to cannabinoids and tell the body to do certain things.

Unlike THC, the cannabinoid responsible for causing marijuana’s “high effect,” CBD has a soothing, more indirect interaction with these cell receptors in our brain. Alongside this, CBD has the unique ability to interact directly with other cell receptors, including serotonin and dopamine receptors. Thus, In the time of this interaction, CBD stimulates our brain activity and one by-product of this process is the release of serotonin and dopamine throughout the body. Serotonin and dopamine are two hormones are effective on relieving stress and work as natural Antidepressant.

The role of CBD in depression treatment is tied closely to serotonin and dopamine. Now, these hormones are the chemicals in our brain that responsible for the impact on both our emotions as well as our motor skills. Serotonin works as our own internal mood stabilizer, and it is very important for healthy sleeping, eating, and digestive habits. Low levels of serotonin and dopamine can lead to depression, and CBD can counter this effect. CBD stimulates our receptors to act more effectively and, therefore, produce more serotonin and dopamine.

Additionally, CBD interacts with the hippocampus in our brain, which partially controls our emotions, when an individual is depressed, the hippocampus becomes smaller. CBD treatment for depression can result in neurogenesis stimulation, which means more neurons are created by the brain and protects the hippocampus from becoming smaller.

Two recent studies showed benefits of CBD with symptoms of depression. In one study, conducted in 2011 while studying the modulation of the serotonin system through endocannabinoid signaling, researchers found “ample evidence that endocannabinoids are important regulators of stress responses.” Thus, it can be assumed that, during depression, plant cannabinoids such as CBD have the ability to regulate one’s response to stressful situations.

Additionally, Jose Alexandre Crippa and his colleagues at the University of San Paulo in Brazil and King’s College in London found that, at high concentrations, CBD directly activates the 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptor, thereby conferring an anti-anxiety effect.

A 2011 study at University of British Columbia stated that “In the last few years, there have been several advances in the determination of the role of the endocannabinoid system in the etiology of depression and the functional actions of antidepressant drugs. Specifically, a deficiency in endocannabinoid signaling is sufficient to produce a “depressive-like” phenotype at the preclinical level…and capable of inducing symptoms of depression in humans at a clinical level. Moreover, facilitation of endocannabinoid signaling is sufficient to produce all of the behavioral and biochemical effects of conventional antidepressant treatments.”

A joint study conducted at Universidad de Cantabria (Spain) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM)(Spain) in 2016 concluded that “our results demonstrate that CBD exerts fast and maintained antidepressant-like effects as evidenced by the reversal of the OBX-induced hyperactivity and anhedonia.”

Another 2016 study at Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel stated, “These findings extend the limited knowledge on the antidepressant effect of CBD, now shown for the first time in a genetic animal model of depression. These results suggest that CBD is beneficial for the treatment of clinical depression and other states with prominent anhedonia.”

There are many testimonials, reviews and independent studies that give concrete evidence that CBD is a new hope for people suffering from depression.

Many patients go through a frequent problem of shortage of sleep as a side effect of depression. For the relaxing and calming properties of CBD, its effect on sleep is very beneficial. CBD can increase our average sleep time by controlling the sleep-wake cycle. By taking in balanced dose CBD has no sedative side effect and keeps you alert during the day.