Today the most common entities of on mental disorders are mood disorders such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder which affect millions of individuals across the globe. The conventional medicine treatment approach has endorsement of the treatment options including antidepressants, mood regulators, and antipsychotics. Ultimately, a number of patients have allergies to these drugs, develop tolerance to them or with continued usage these medicines cease to be effective as pain relief and therefore there is a reason to believe that interest in other therapeutical means like Cannabidiol (CBD). As a non-psychoactive element of the cannabis plant, CBD has received much attention due to the potential role it may play in mood disorder management.
This article aims to conduct a thorough systematic review of existing studies on CBD treatment for mood disorders focused in investigating the safety and effectiveness of the product. In this regard, more consideration would be on the clinical management of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder through the utilization of CBD and its examination through the results obtained from stakeholders in clinical trials and also its future consequences on this amazing treatment modality.
Understanding CBD and Its Therapeutic Potential
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a group of organic compounds belonging to the categories of phytocannabinoid that is contained in the marijuana plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) has no intoxication like organic overlapping THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. In contrast, concern is mounting over the therapeutic action of CBD, specifically the potential anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and anti-psychotic usefulness of cannabidiol. Recapitulate the safety of cannabidiol. The issue is that this substance is safer with minimum adverse effects than the current psychiatric lineup of drugs, hence the interest.
It has been shown that CBD has a participatory role in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is an intricate cell communication system that helps in regulating mood, stress management, and emotional modulation among other things. In this manner, as Gastroenterology (2014) explains, There is a possibility that the ECS modulation by CBD may modulate mood and anxiety for depression and anxiety disorder making it likely to be effective in treating mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Cannabidiol in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review
Due primarily to the lack of evidence-based attempts to treat psychiatric disorders with CBD, a large number of studies and clinical researches have been conducted on CBD for mood disorders treatment. This systematic review collates important studies, investigating the effects of Cannabidiol, on anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorder.
1. CBD for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety disorders rank among the most prevalent mental health disorders, affecting millions of adolescents and adults alike. The impact of cannabidiol as an anxiolytic has been studied in clinical as well as pre-clinical settings among animal models. Several studies have found that CBD tends to reduce anxiety, in some cases even reversing the effect, more especially for patients suffering from SAD, GAD, and PTSD. It has been reported that patients with SAD showed anxiety reduction in public speaking tests after being treated with CBD which grows the prospects of anxiolytic drugs.
Regarding depression, it has been reported that CBD could reduce the level of depression by acting on the enhancing effect of the cerebrospinal fluid where the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is active, and serotonin receptors present in the brain. Such antidepressant-like effects of CBD have been demonstrated in animal models of depression through increasing serotonin – a hormone that regulates mood. In clinical settings, judicious application of CBD may improve symptoms of major depression, especially out of its three phases, the trial, and the post-treatment phase.
2. CBD for Bipolar Disorder
Psychological aspects although difficult to treat nevertheless partly unfurl during experience known as bipolar disorder. With mood stabilizers, and antidepressants being the rage in combating bipolar disorder, there are however some supportive evidences which some patients have so far managed to combat these and more research was done on the CBD for bipolar disorder.
There has however been limited research on the efficacy of CBD in treating bipolar disorder. It has been suggested through vice versa CBD can help in managing bipolar depression. Where the subjects were put through stressors, it was observed that chronic mild stress Of CBD was capable& able to reduce depression-like behavior conditions caused by a model focused on stress. There has been little exploration on the CBD for mood instability disorder and this is one of the warrants that raises more concerns toward the borrowings of EBP that warrants there is need to show efficacy in future studies.
One small clinical trial focused on patients with bipolar disorder found that CBD had an antidepressant effect but did not alleviate the manic symptoms. This implies that perhaps CBD is better suited in treating the depressive phase of bipolar score as opposed to the manic phase. It is also a topic of study to which cannabis use in bipolar disorder has continued to receive new directions with contradicting views on the advantages and disadvantages of using these cannabis products to alleviate bipolar symptoms.
3. Cannabidiol in Anxiety And Mood Disorders
The network for mood and anxiety treatments expansion focuses on the efficacy of cannabinoids, particularly CBD in the management of mood disorders such as major depression, generalized anxiety and social anxiety disorders. Research suggests that CBD may alleviate anxiety including amygdala an important emotional center in the brain that is hyper-talkative in fear stimulation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the therapeutic effect of CBD for mood instability disclosed that anxiety reduction is seen with CBD intervention in both human and animal subjects. Besides, CBD products don’t lead to those excessive and frightening consequences associated with the excessive use of anti-depressive or anti-anxiety drugs, for example, benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Patients suffering from unipolar disorder and patients suffering from bipolar disorder may benefit from the therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol since the substance has been related to better control of mood, cerebral inflammation making, and the ability to cope with stress. Even if more investigations are necessary, some positive findings indicate that there is an evidence for the effectiveness of CBD using in the treatment of stress and different depressive disorders concerning the people that do not get better after traditional drugs.
The Benefits of CBD and THC in the Treatment of Mood Disorders
In the case when mood disorders cannabis-based products are evaluated, a clear emphasis should be made on the difference between THC and CBD. This compounds are from cannabis plant but mental health suffers quite differently from each compound. THC, which is the psychoactive component present in the cannabis sativa has both adverse and beneficial effects on the mood disorder. With regard to the use of THC, some patients feel a relief of anxiety and depression, while others are met with increased anxiety or even psychotic symptoms.
On the other hand, CBD is said to be non-psychoactive and has been associated with several psychiatric benefits without the threats of causing intoxication or aggravated symptoms. Some studies indicate that CBD could reverse the psychoactive actions of THC. This would account for its safety among people with mood disorders. Nevertheless, the use of CBD and THC together is complicated by their individual and collective effects on mental state and a thorough consideration of the dosage and the ratio of the two cannabinoids is warranted.
Side Effects of CBD: What Everyone Should Know
Despite the dramatic growth of the mainstream market, patients using broad-spectrum CBD products often feel the need to seek further information regarding potential risks and side effects. Cannabidiol side effects are relatively uncommon and usually mild, and might include dry mouth, dizziness, decreased appetite, and fatigue. It is, therefore, very prominent in helping patients with mood disorders since unlike THC, Cannabidiol does not contain psychoactive properties. When taken with other medications for anxiety and depression, there may be interactions and the doctor should be consulted before a patient decides to have CBD as part of their medication.
Benefits of CBD for Mood Disorders
Emerging research on the benefits of CBD for mood disorders indicates that CBD can decrease anxiety symptoms, reduce depression, and enhance mood dysregulation in patients suffering from bipolar disorder. MDPI looks at how CBD may potentially assist those with depression and anxiety by altering the endocannabinoid system, lessening apoptotic body counts in the brain, and changing serotonin levels. In addition, hemp-derived CBD products are available over the counter and may be used without any chances of getting high, which presents a safer option and has become a go-to for many practitioners since there are no restrictions.
Conclusion
This systematic review captures the possible role of cannabidiol (CBD) in the management of mood disorders such as anxiety and depressive disorders, and bipolar disorder. Although preliminary studies suggest that it is possible that CBD might help alleviate the symptoms of treating these conditions, a clinical study with larger sample size is warranted to determine effectiveness, dosing, and safety profile over time. With its encouraging safety profile and limited side effect, Cbd could become an attractive complementary treatment option for the individuals who have had poor response to conventional medications or have experienced intolerable side effects from these medications.
Since the previous studies on CBD for mood disorders are appearing now and claims about things such as CBD as a therapeutic option are valid, patients, though treatment professionals, should know and understand that within general mental health treatment, it is possible to suggest using.