Depression is one of the most common types of mental illness and for the longest time, doctors have been prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as antidepressants. They have been found to ease the symptoms of moderate to severe depression. While they are relatively safe, they have several side effects that make them unsuitable for some people. For this reason, scientists are researching the effects of CBD and SSRI treatment options for long-term management of depression.
However, one of the most asked questions is whether it is safe to take CBD and antidepressants at the same time. In this article we will look at what you should know before mixing CBD antidepressants.
Possible SSRI Side Effects
All SSRIs are thought to work in a similar way, which is to inhibit the absorption of serotonin. While they will help in the management of depression, they will have several side effects for certain. Unfortunately, there is nothing to show whether you are part of the people that will get the side effects.
Most of the side effects will dissipate after some time, but others may require that you seek medical attention. In a typical situation, the doctor will swap the SSRI with another type that you can tolerate. However, you could always consider taking CBD as an alternative.
Here are some of the adverse side effects associated with SSRIs:
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Headaches
- Nervousness and restlessness
- Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Reduced libido
The best SSRIs for you depend on several factors such as your symptoms, and the other medical conditions you may have. However, many people are moving from SSRIs in search of alternative antidepressant treatment options and they experience mild or severe withdrawal symptoms.
With that said, did you know that you can use CBD for SSRI withdrawal symptoms management?
Some of the potential withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, electric shock sensations, flu-like symptoms, loss of coordination, and more. If you experience these and other withdrawal symptoms, you could use CBD to help you ease off on the SSRIs.
In addition, thousands of people have reported that taking CBD and SSRI medications resulted in fewer bouts of depression without any additional side effects. However, the combination will not work for everyone. For instance, CBD can potentially interact with SSRIs resulting in an increased amount of antidepressants in the body. For this reason, you should consult a physician before trying any CBD and SSRI combinations.
CBD Oil for Depression and Anxiety
Experts believe that CBD has the potential to offer better depression management. Their opinion is based on the positive effects CBD has on serotonin receptors in the brain.
Depression is caused by low serotonin levels in the brain. In this section we will help you understand how you can use CBD oil for depression and anxiety.
In a 2018 review of existing studies, researchers concluded that CBD has anti-stress effects, which may reduce depression caused by stress. In addition, CBD has been shown to have more benefits over SSRIs. For instance, CBD acts faster compared to the SSRIs, which may take several weeks before you start feeling the effects.
Most people with depression are more likely to have anxiety, and vice versa. Fortunately, you can find CBD oil that will help with both. In one study, people who took 600 mg of CBD experienced less social anxiety than people who were put on placebos.Â
CBD might offer some better benefits over SSRIs, but it is not a replacement. You should not stop taking prescribed medication without consulting a physician. Abrupt cessation of SSRIs could lead to severe side effects.
CBD For SSRI Withdrawal Syndrome
More people are coming out to support the use of CBD to manage the SSRI withdrawal symptoms. Some people have been able to get off SSRIs cold turkey, while others need to gradually reduce their dosage.
Since most SSRIs are infused with prodrug opioids, being dependent on them could result in addiction. Several studies have come out in support of using CBD for SSRI withdrawal to manage opioid addiction, and they could work for you too.
Researchers believe that CBD can modify the structure of opioid damaged brain cells to communicate with each other. However, there is a limited number of studies, and so there is a need for more trials on CBD’s therapeutic properties.
If you are ready to make the transition to CBD, here are some of the things you need to know:
Look for a Reputable CBD Producer
For starters, ensure that the brand you are going for is pure and proven. Any reputable CBD company will give a scientific and ingredient profile for their products.
Ensure to go through the customer testimonials and look for reasons why one company is better than the others. However, be sure to compare different companies before making your purchase.
Types of CBD Oil
The difference in CBD oil types depends on a variety of factors, with the source being the biggest differentiator. Here is what you should know:
- Hemp oil – it is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, but it contains little CBD if any
- CBD isolate – It is extracted from the stems, leaves, and seeds of the industrial hemp plant and it does not contain any THC or terpenes
- Broad-spectrum CBD – it is the oil extracted from the cannabis plant. It does not have any THC, but it contains all other cannabinoids and terpenes
- Full-spectrum CBD – This oil contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes of the source plant and it also has traces of THC, which by law should not exceed 0.3%
The broad and full-spectrum CBD are best suited to people who want to get the entourage effect by riding on the effects of the other ingredients. However, the THC in the full spectrum CBD is not enough to get you high or fail a drug test.
Conclusion
SSRIs can have far-reaching side effects, and you should not stop taking them cold turkey. We hope that this CBD and SSRI article will help you make the best choice for treating depression. In addition, you can also use CBD products for SSRI withdrawal syndrome.