Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide worldwide. In the UK alone, 24% of women and 13% of men are diagnosed with depression.
Luckily there are many options, both natural and synthetic at our disposal to help us get through these tough times.
Both CBD oil and antidepressants have shown positive effects on easing the symptoms of depression.
I'm going to show you the pros and cons of each to show you why we prefer CBD oil over antidepressants. Check out this guide to learn more!
Natural vs Synthetic
Sure, CBD oil and antidepressants may work similarly, but the similarities stop there.
CBD oil is a natural compound found in nature. It can be derived from hemp or marijuana. CBD oil does not contain the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana THC.
CBD has been linked to many health benefits including:
- Relieving pain
- Helping reduce anxiety and depression
- Protecting the nervous system
- and promoting lower blood pressure
These are just some of the amazing benefits CBD oil has to offer.
Antidepressants are synthetic medications that were first developed in the 1950s to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with depression. The idea behind them is to help correct the imbalances of brain chemicals. The problem with the antidepressants is that they come with some pretty serious side effects like:
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Withdrawal symptoms
The World Health Organization has stated that CBD is generally well-tolerated and that there is no evidence of health-related problems that can be attributed to the use of CBD.
The Facts
Both CBD oil and antidepressants have been known to be effective when it comes to relieving the symptoms associated with depression. The difference comes in the way they work.
A study that was done on mice in 2019 concluded that CBD oil has antidepressant-like effects and works much faster than antidepressants. The promising new data determines that CBD has therapeutic uses, and in some ways may be superior to taking antidepressants.
Another study was conducted to show the link between CBD and generalised social anxiety disorder or SAD. Social anxiety disorder is a disorder in which individuals have an intense fear of social situations. The study shows that the subjects who were given CBD before a simulated public speaking test had significantly less anxiety than the placebo group.
Anxiety and depression have both been linked to low serotonin levels. This is why there is a strong correlation between CBD oil helping both anxiety and depression.
There have also been various studies done to show the effectiveness of antidepressants. The studies concluded that people with moderate to severe depression have about a 20% chance of relieving symptoms from taking antidepressants.
CBD Oil and Antidepressants: What to Choose
With the information given to us on the differences between CBD oil and antidepressants, it is clear why we prefer CBD oil. CBD oil is becoming more popular than ever as an alternative treatment for relieving symptoms associated with various health conditions like depression.
CBD is known for its effects on helping us keep calm and relaxed. If you would like to try premium-quality CBD oil for yourself and experience some of the amazing benefits associated with it check out our products.