CBD for Depression; Can It Help?
It’s hard to imagine, but even 30 years ago depression wasn’t something that was openly talked about. People had to suffer with minimal support networks in place or public knowledge of how to get through it. This isn’t surprising, though, even five years ago trying to buy CBD oil online in Australia wasn’t possible, either!
Today, we’re all lucky to live in a world where various treatments and support are readily available. Before we go any further, if you’re feeling depressed and need help, you can always call the following organisations free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (Australia)
- HPA: 0800 111 757 (New Zealand)
The key question we’ll cover today: can CBD oil online in Australia help?
The Statistics on Depression
Depression (noun): a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason.
If the above definition sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1 in 10 people had depression or feelings of depression in 2017-2018, which was an 8.9% increase from the last National Health Survey for 2014-2015.
Australia isn’t alone, either. Depression is one of the priority conditions to tackle for the World Health Organization. We know what you’re thinking: can I buy CBD oil online in Australia to help treat depression? We’re getting there!
Treating Depression
Depression is largely treated today with a variety of prescribed medications, like antidepressants, often in combination with psychotherapy. While prescribed medications continue to be the leading treatment, non-pharmaceutical treatment is an important part of the puzzle. Up to 40% of patients with depression are ‘treatment resistant’, which means their symptoms do not improve after trying a minimum of two antidepressants.
How CBD Can Treat Depression
Depression has been closely linked to the neurotransmitter serotonin, and various studies have shown that CBD has a positive effect on serotonin receptors in the brain.
In a 2014 study, it was found the CBD delivered antidepressant effects as a result of how the brain’s receptors responded to serotonin. Another study in 2018 by McGill University showed that CBD modulates serotonin to reduce anxiety, too.
One of the issues with prescribed antidepressants is that there is substantial lag time between first taking the medication, and then having an effect. This can range from a week to months, and often involves trial and error in getting dosages correct for the patient. This is problematic as people with severe depression often need help fast. A 2019 study was conducted for this very reason, and found that “data support a promising therapeutic profile for CBD as a new fast-acting antidepressant drug”.
It’s important to note, however, that CBD should not replace medications unless in consultation with your medical professional.
Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?
When compared to traditional antidepressants, CBD has minimal side effects and a low risk for addiction. However, some users have reported a few side effects with CBD use. Some of these can include:
- Feeling lightheaded
- Stomach issues
Compare these, however, to the essay length of potential side effects on the pamphlet of any antidepressant, and you might want to buy CBD oil online in Australia as an alternative treatment.
What CBD Should I Buy?
Short answer: buy the best CBD oil in Australia! If you’re considering trying CBD to help treat depression, make sure the CBD oil you buy has an independent laboratory analysis, like ours do here. Any CBD product you buy should be clinically tested for purity, quality, and potency.
We try our best to make it affordable to buy CBD oil online in Australia, so we provide discount packs to help minimise cost, too.
Feel free to ask any questions or share your experiences about using CBD to treat depression in the comments below or email us for any help you might need.