CBD and Depression, Houston

Research on possible benefits of CBD and Depression by OilWell CBD of Houston, TX

By now, you may have heard of the many therapeutic uses of cannabidiol, most commonly known as “CBD.” CBD has become a popular topic among people battling depression. Although an orally administered CBD solution has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat two forms of childhood epilepsy, CBD (in its many forms) has only recently been studied in clinical research due to difficulties with federal cannabis laws, which included hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) until 2018. Therefore, much of the information we know about CBD and how it affects people with clinical depression is based on the anecdotal experiences of those who use it. What we do know is the overwhelming majority of people who have tried and regularly use CBD to combat the symptoms of depression report a high success rate and little to no side effects. We look forward to presenting new clinical trials, peer-reviewed studies, and reputable research to our customers as they become available.

About CBD and Depression

CBD is similar to tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, however, it acts differently in the body. THC is responsible for the “high” people experience when using cannabis, while CBD does not cause a “high” feeling, but rather has been shown to counteract stress, anxiety, and depression. In animal models, CBD had a positive interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain, showing promise for use as a fast-acting antidepressant, as well as having anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects.

Although serotonin is often described as a simple neurotransmitter that causes feelings of happiness, it is much more complicated than that, having effects on learning, sleep, aggression, cognition, appetite, and reward activity. In addition, people often are misled to believe that serotonin is exclusively located in the brain when in actuality 90% is produced in the GI tract. CBD binds directly to major serotonin binding sites (namely, 5-HT-1A and 5-HT-2A) while having little effect on classical cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.

What research has found so far, is that the endocannabinoid, orexinergic, and serotonergic systems work closely together and can affect each other. Let’s break down what each system does to further understand the effects that CBD may have on the symptoms of depression:

The Endocannabinoid System

Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids the body produces endogenously. These neurotransmitters regulate immune system functions, pain management, fertility, pregnancy, mood, and appetite, and are affected by CBD, although the extent of which and causes are still being studied.

CBD acts as a reuptake and breakdown inhibitor of anandamide, causing an increase of endocannabinoid levels in the brain’s synapses. This is probably a key factor in reports of CBD having neuroprotective effects against seizures, depression, and anxiety.

The Orexinergic Projection System

The orexinergic projection system is primarily made up of the Lateral Hypothalamus (LH). The LH contains the primary orexinergic nucleus, which mediates such processes as arousal, pain perception, regulating body temperature, digestive functions, and more. Dysfunctions in the orexinergic projection system are tied to many clinical disorders such as narcolepsy, eating disorders, motility disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. The orexinergic projection system uses some of the same neurotransmitters and receptors as the endocannabinoid system, causing them to have a large overlap in functions.

The Serotonergic System

The system most people associate with depression and anxiety disorders is the serotonergic system. This is due in part because many medications commonly prescribed for depression are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Although SSRIs have been widely prescribed for years for a variety of ailments, their exact mechanism of action is unknown. Their clinical benefits vs potential benefits have been coming under more scrutiny in recent years, and studies of their effectiveness have a high risk of bias.

Since CBD is a relatively new option for treatment, research on its functions and impact on a molecular level are still being pioneered. What scientists have discovered so far is that at high concentrations, CBD directly activates the 5-HT-1A serotonin receptor, causing an anti-anxiety effect in one study, and implying that it may also have a large impact on addiction, depression, pain perception, appetite, sleep, nausea, and vomiting.

Depression affects 300 million people worldwide. If you feel like you may be suffering from depression, speak with your doctor about incorporating full-spectrum CBD oil into your treatment plan.

This statement is for informational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information, nor recommended product, is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are already undergoing treatments for any condition speak with your doctor about the benefits of supplementing your treatment plan with full-spectrum CBD oil for depression. It is important to always discuss supplementing with herbal supplements with a medical professional, as pharmaceutical drugs can have interactions with herbal supplements. Ask your doctor about incorporating full-spectrum CBD oil in conjunction with your treatment plan, or substituting full-spectrum CBD oil for your pharmaceutical drugs.