Depression negatively influences the quality of life of countless people all around the world, making it one of the most common causes of disability. Antidepressants are one of the popular treatment methods. Due to the increased attention of the public to cannabidiol (CBD), curiosity is at an all time high asking the question: Are CBD gummies better than antidepressants?
This question isn't coming from nowhere. The CBD product market is booming with the perception that they aid the ability to relax, reduce stress, and generally promote and improve well-being. Meanwhile, social media and the internet are creating a buzz with claims that promise CBD as a substitute for medication. The unfortunate truth is that most of these claims are either oversimplified or just unsupported as of 2023.
CBD and antidepressants are very different and therefore the world is not black and white. CBD and antidepressants serve different functions, work in different ways, and have different scientific support and levels of evidence. While CBD has had some promising preliminary studies, especially for the symptoms of anxiety and stress, there are currently no studies that confirm the ability of CBD in the treatment of clinical depression.
We are going to explore the available 2023 data to find the gaps that CBD Gummies and antidepressants fill, if they work together, and other things to consider before starting on a CBD regimen.
Understanding Depression and the Treatment Options Out There
Understanding depression is not just the study of sadness. It is the study of a complicated mental health condition. The effects of depression can lead to the most extreme consequences and can ruin years of normal and healthy functioning.
Here are some common symptoms of depression:
- Persistent low mood
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite
- Sleeping too much, or too little
- Low energy levels
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Hopelessness
There are many potential contributing factors that are complex and interrelated when it comes to depression. Genetics and environment, hormones, chemistry in the brain, and physical health can all be involved amongst the many stressful life events that can be contributing factors.
Because of the personal nature of depression, a typical treatment plan may be all of the following:
- Therapy
- Changes in health habits
- Exercise
- Medications
- Stress management
Healthcare professionals utilize a person's symptoms and their health history to determine the right treatment plan because no one treatment is the answer for all.
How Do Antidepressants Work?
Antidepressants are just one class of medications that are prescribed to help treat the symptoms of depression. Over the last several decades, there have been vast and extensive clinical studies surrounding depression and the class of medications called antidepressants.
In medicine, pain medications are typically called Analgesics and Antidepressants would be the class of medication that is characterized by its effects on neurotransmitters. In this context, neurotransmitters are Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine.
On the market today, the four most common types of antidepressants are:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Atypical antidepressants
Pain medications can have an effect in a matter of hours, while antidepressants can take several weeks before the full effects are realized or noticed.
Antidepressants can have a varied response and this necessitates close monitoring by the healthcare provider.
Side effects may deter patients from continuing use of effective medication. Nausea, dry mouth, sleep problems, weight gain/loss, and fatigue, as well as sexual side effects, are all possible medication side effects. These side effects may lead patients to seek alternative, complementary wellness options, such as CBD. Instead, CBD should be marketed and viewed as what it is, unlike prescribed medication options.
What Is Known About CBD and Mood?
CBD, like THC, is also a cannabinoid, which is a naturally found element in plants from the cannabis family. THC is famously known to cause a ‘high’ in users, whereas CBD is not known to have any of those effects. There are also a multitude of studies analyzing the effects of CBD as it pertains to anxiety, discomfort, sleep, and inflammation, as well as other neurological and psychological issues. CBD is of great interest to the scientific community because it is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, which is known to regulate a number of important and basic bodily functions. Some of these include immune response, pain, stress and anxiety, sleep, appetite, and mood. CBD is believed to also have an indirect effect on the endocannabinoid system and aid in the regulation of serotonin as it relates to mood, and therefore has a significant role and reliability in research. However, it must also be noted that research on CBD is still in its infancy, and all of these findings should not be used as a form of conclusive evidence.
Some research has looked into CBD and mood, but has major gaps. Studies included:
- Small Sample Size
- Short Timeframes
- Animal Studies
- Focused on Anxiety instead of Depression
No matter the positive outcomes, larger and better structured clinical research studies need to be done before major depressive disorder is treated with CBD.
How Does CBD Stack Up Against Antidepressants?
People want to know how well CBD works. This needs to be answered with facts and not from a marketing perspective.
At this moment CBD is not a clinically established treatment for clinical depression and there is no empirical evidence that shows it works as well as prescription antidepressants.
The research of CBD is still in the early phases and as of now CBD is not a recommended substitute for antidepressant medication.
That said, CBD shows a lot of promise for:
- Daily Stress
- Feeling Calm
- Quality Sleep
- Anxiety in certain Situations
CBD is a great area of focus for mental health treatments, but should not be used to substitute prescribed depression treatments. Anxiety and depression are separate mental health disorders and require different methods of treatment.
If a person has a diagnosis of depression they should not discontinue prescribed depression treatment without the guidance of the prescribing doctor. They may make their depression feel worse or depressed and have withdrawal symptoms.
CBD has the opportunity to change mental health treatment, but the evidence we have shows it's use is not empirically recommended.
Are CBD Edibles a Treatment for Depression?
CBD Edibles, particularly CBD Gummies, have taken the spotlight as a favored CBD product. Their convenience, tastiness, and accurate dosage make them popular. As with every product on the market, especially with CBD, there are claims of the product’s effectiveness. Here, we will evaluate the claims surrounding CBD Edibles and depression.
There is little clinically backed evidence to support the claims of CBD Edibles and treating depression. Research surrounding CBD and its use to treat anxiety has been much more abundant. Anxiety, sleep, and stress are much more manageable conditions when compared to depression.
What Does the Research Say?
While there may be no evidence to support the claims of CBD and treating depression, there may be some evidence to support the claims that CBD can treat other mood-related conditions. CBD may have the potential to influence the following:
- The endocannabinoid system
- The signaling of serotonin receptors
- The body’s stress response
- Neuroinflammatory pathways
These studies have been of limited scope and poor quality at best, therefore the claims surrounding CBD should have little influence on the potential treatment of depression. These studies have been in a short duration of time, and used different formulations of CBD and also a small sample size. There is a need for larger and long-duration studies surrounding the influence of CBD.
Where CBD May Help
CBD does not take the place of treatment options for depression that are backed by research. Though, some people find that including CBD in their wellness routine helps them to support their overall wellness. This may include:
- Managing daily stress
- Healthy sleep support
- Relaxation
- Keeping emotional stability
CBD may help support an overall positive feeling, which may help balance sleep and stress. Each person can respond differently to CBD, and it’s important to understand it’s not a substitute for depression.
Can You Use CBD Gummies with Antidepressants?
This question is most often asked and for good reason. This is the situation when medical advice is key.
Yes, CBD may potentially have a negative effect on some types of antidepressants.
Like many other things, the answer to this question depends on the situation. The two things can be used together, but only when guided by a medical professional.
Why can This Happen?
Once CBD is consumed, it goes to the liver to meet a group of enzyme systems called the cytochrome P450 (CYP450).
The interesting thing about this is that many prescription antidepressants use these same systems to break down.
This is why CBD may change how fast some antidepressants break down.
This could lead to your medication being:
- Higher or lower than what is prescribed
- More likely to produce unwanted side effects
- The strength of the interaction is influenced by:
- The type of prescribed antidepressant
- How much CBD is consumed
- How quickly the individual metabolizes
- What other medications the individual is taking
Due to the potential side effects, you should always talk to your doctor about taking CBD along with your prescribed medications.
Which Antidepressants Work with CBD?
There have been some possible interactions when taking CBD along with other prescribed antidepressants.
These include prescriptions that are:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Tricyclics
- Atypical antidepressants
- Examples may include the following:
- Sertraline
- Fluoxetine
- Escitalopram
- Citalopram
- Paroxetine
- Venlafaxine
- Duloxetine
This includes CBD, but these medications should only be taken with the supervision of a healthcare professional.
What Happens When CBD Is Mixed with Antidepressant?
It is very likely that unwanted side effects can occur when CBD alters the way some medications are metabolized.
Some of these side effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Stomach issues
- Problems with focus
These risks depend on the medication, strength, and how healthy the individual is.
If any symptoms occur after CBD is mixed with your prescribed medication, seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
Can CBD Be Used Instead of Antidepressants?
CBD cannot be used in place of prescribed antidepressants.
There is not enough research to support the claim that CBD can be used in place of prescribed antidepressants.
There are many antidepressants that have been researched and gone through multiple studies with thousands of participants.
CBD research is still in the early stages, even though it is progressing quickly.
There is not enough evidence to recommend substituting CBD gummies or CBD oil in place of antidepressants for patients diagnosed with clinical depression.
Antidepressants should not be discontinued abruptly without the guidance of the prescribing clinician, as this can result in the following:
- Mood changes
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Flu-like symptoms
- Increased anxiety
- Return or worsening of depressive symptoms
For this reason, anyone considering changes to their treatment plan should first speak with the healthcare professional managing their care.
The Pros and Cons of CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are easy, efficient, and a preferred method for many users as they can easily be incorporated into the daily routine.
Like all other products, they come with some advantages and some drawbacks.
The advantages of CBD gummies include the following:
- They have an appealing flavor
- They are easy to carry
- They are convenient because they have a long-lasting, gradual digestion effect
- They have an easy, presized portion with no measuring necessary
Some drawbacks include:
- The digestion and absorption of gummies can be variable and take a long time
- They come in presized portions which can be inconvenient
- They have limited research in regard to treating clinical depression
- The drawbacks and limitations of CBD gummies should be considered before purchasing, and they should not be considered an alternative to mental health care.
How to Find Quality CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are not all the same quality.
Before you buy CBD products, check if the brand has:
- Third-party lab testing
- Ingredient lists
- Labeled CBD content
- Information on hemp sourcing
- Standards on manufacturing quality
- Consumer educational resources
Hebe Wellness cares about quality and transparency. We care about these things for every product we sell. Our CBD gummies are made with purposely selected hemp-derived products, made to help with your wellness.
Buying products from a transparent and trusted brand is very important when buying CBD products.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You can find CBD products in stores and online, but that doesn't mean you can use them safely. If you have depression or take prescription medication, you should definitely see a doctor before using CBD.
You should see a doctor if you:
- Have depression or another mental condition.
- Take antidepressants or any prescription medication.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Have liver disease or any other chronic condition.
- Are having more and more symptoms or if your mood starts to change more irregularly.
- Are thinking about stopping your antidepressants or taking them less.
A doctor can tell you if using CBD is a good idea based on your symptoms and if it will interact with any other medication you may be taking.
Remember, depression is real, and you should see a doctor for a real solution. Even though it is still being researched for its potential health benefits, CBD should not be taken the place of your real prescribed medication, therapy, or other treatments without the direct supervision of a doctor.
FAQs
Is CBD as Good as Antidepressants?
There is currently no evidence to support that CBD is as good as antidepressants for treating depression.
Antidepressants have been tested multiple times and are the go-to medicine for treating multiple types of depression.
CBD is still being studied, but most of the studies are still small and in the early stages of being researched. Most of them are studies focused on anxiety and not depression.
Although researchers actively study the possible health benefits of CBD, and hold it to be a potential therapeutic comparable to current prescription antidepressants, further longitudinal studies with human subjects will need to be conducted first.
Can CBD Gummies Replace Antidepressants?
Yes, CBD gummies can potentially be a replacement to antidepressants prescribed by your doctor.
If you are currently prescribed antidepressants, do not stop taking antidepressants without first consulting your doctor.
Stopping your antidepressants can cause withdrawal and even bring back the depression you were trying to escape.
CBD may play a role in the wellness of some of the population, but cannot be medically justified to replace traditional forms of medical treatment.
Are CBD Edibles Good for Depression?
CBD Edibles are currently being researched for their effects on mood and stress. Currently there is no research to support CBD edibles as a treatment for depression.
Many use CBD gummies as they are easily transportable and may aid in relaxation and sleep. Both of which, add to the wellness of a person. However, those do not treat depression.
If you are depressed, and have no desire to do activities you once enjoyed, please seek medical help.
Can You Take CBD Gummies If You Take Antidepressants?
CBD does have potential to interact with some antidepressants, as they do both use the same liver enzymes.
Do Not Take Antidepressants and CBD Together Before Speaking With Your CBD Prescriber
Everyone will respond to CBD differently, which will determine how your doctor will advise you depending on your specific medical history. This will include whether he or she recommends monitoring for undesirable side effects, adjusting your medication, or avoiding mixing certain products.
Will CBD Help My Anxiety?
The research done concerning CBD for anxiety far exceeds research concerning CBD for depression and as such, CBD products are thought to be more effective for anxiety.
CBD, through clinical research, has demonstrated that it may be helpful in the reduction of anxiety for specific scenarios, such as public speaking, apprehension of high anxiety situations, among others. Research is still being done on the effectiveness that CBD may provide for generalized anxiety as well as anxiety disorders.
It is worth noting that not everyone will respond positively to CBD and as such, relief for anxiety should not be expected.
Anyone struggling with debilitating anxiety of any level that interferes with daily life should seek qualified health professionals in order to create a proper plan of care in a timely manner.
Are CBD Gummies Addictive?
Current research has demonstrated that CBD is not an addictive substance. In fact, it does not have the intoxicating effects that derive from THC.
In a report by The World Health Organization, pure CBD substances have a low potential to be abused or create a dependence.
If you are going to use any CBD products, make sure they are coming from verified companies and source transparency in their ingredients and third-party testing.
How Long Will CBD Gummies Take To Start Working?
Because they are a confection, CBD gummies will take longer to begin working than other methods. They also have to work their way through your digestive tract before offering any effects.
The length of time CBD takes to kick in for most adults can be anywhere from half an hour to two hours, and this is depending on a number of factors such as:
- How fast your metabolism is
- When you eat your meals
- How much you weigh
- How much CBD is in the gummies
- How healthy your digestive system is
Given the factors mentioned above, CBD gummies usually have an extended duration of effect compared to other CBD products which are absorbed faster (i.e. Sublingual products).
Are CBD Gummies Safe For Daily Use?
There are many adults who use CBD gummies on a daily basis. If you are thinking of making daily use of CBD gummies a habit, consider the following recommendations.
- Follow the Gummies Serving Size
- Take Less If You are New If to Using CBD
- Observe How Your Body Responds
- Use Products That Are Independently Lab Tested
It is always best to get professional medical advice before using CBD on a daily basis, especially if you have a medical condition or take prescription medication.
Final Thoughts
Due to the increasing popularity of CBD, many people are wondering if CBD gummies are a safer alternative to anitipresants. While this is a valid concern, the current science does not support that this comparison is as easy as it seems.
Of all the treatment options for clinical depression, prescription antidepressants are extremely well studied and are highly recommended. CBD is at the very beginning of this stage of research. The current evidence is very optimistic for the research for effects of CBD for mood, anxiety, stress and sleep, however, the current state of research does not support that CBD in the form of gummies is a viable replacement for antidepressant medications.
CBD can be an addition to a broader wellness routine for some people. This can include different aspects of a healthy lifestyle, stress management, and healthcare. Regardless of how you want to use CBD, you should use it responsibly and combine it with a healthy lifestyle, especially if you are on other prescribed medications.
If you want to try CBD wellness products, target brands that value quality and incorporate independent lab tests, as well as being transparent in the process.
At Hebe Wellness, we try to provide the best quality hemp-derived CBD products, and we pride ourselves on thorough testing of products and transparency in the process and standards of manufacturing.
It may be hard to find the best products for CBD for people who are new to using it. However, there are a multitude of places to learn more about it, and it is the best option for a wellness routine to make informed decisions.
