Many people are talking to their doctors about switching over from pharmaceuticals to CBD hemp oil for depression. But because of how new this type of treatment is for many people, it can be a little overwhelming to get started. So if you’re here trying to figure out how to take CBD oil for depression, you’ve come to the right place.
How Does CBD Oil Work?
CBD does a lot of things by indirectly interacting with the endocannabinoid system. This is a system that keeps your body regulated. Researchers found while studying rodent models that when you take CBD, chemicals that are usually lacking in the brain of someone depressed are elevated as well as a chemical that promotes repair to brain cells.
Scientists believe that damage to the brain may be what causes depression. Because CBD reduces inflammation as well as promote neurogenesis, it may be able to help prevent or slow down damage which could also help reduce the severity of the symptoms.
How Do You Take CBD Oil For Depression?
When it comes to taking CBD oil, the method you choose usually depends on when you need the relief. Do you need it to work quickly or last for a long period of time? When it comes to depression, you usually want something that is going to last longer even if you have to wait for it to kick in.
The methods that take longer to work but might give you the relief throughout the day are taking pills or eating CBD edibles. The reason they take longer to work is that the CBD needs to be digested before it gets into your blood stream. The metabolizing process is also the reason these methods last longer than if you were to vape or take CBD oil drops.
Over time, these methods may be able to help reduce your symptoms. You may even be able to pair CBD oil with an antidepressant to help boost the effects. But some antidepressants don’t work as well when you take CBD oil with them, so make sure to figure that out with your doctor.
When Tinctures Work For Depression
You may still find a use for faster methods like tinctures, vapes, or concentrates. Those moments where your depression is swallowing you whole and your chest feels compressed and heavy, taking faster methods of CBD oil may be able to help in those moments.
How Do You Start Taking CBD Oil?
Before you start, make sure your doctor knows your plans. They need to know what is going into your body so they can help monitor your symptoms and help you look for any adverse reactions.
When you first start taking CBD oil, it is best to start at a small dose just like they would start you on any other kind of medication. At this point, you aren’t looking for symptom changes you are looking for side-effects. They aren’t common, but you can never be too careful. After you and your doctor decide that CBD oil is okay to take, you can work with them to start raising your dose.
