20% of people with major depressive disorder develop psychotic symptoms. 10-15% of women develop postpartum depression. Depression affects over 350 million people worldwide. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. When it comes to treating depression the options are unfortunately extremely limited.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “treating depression involves many moving parts, only one of which is antidepressants. And a person’s response to them is dependent on many factors.” A 2010 study concluded that “CBD induces antidepressant-like effects comparable to those of Imipramine.
These effects of CBD were probably mediated by activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors.” A 2014 study found that “Cannabidiol (CBD) is a constituent non-psychotomimetic of Cannabis sativa with great psychiatric potential, including uses as an antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like compound.”
A 2016 study reported, “our results demonstrate that CBD exerts fast and maintained antidepressant-like effects as evidenced by the reversal of the OBX-induced hyperactivity and anhedonia.”
Depression Studies
- Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders
- Antidepressant-Like and Anxiolytic-Like Effects of CBD
- The endocannabinoid system and the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders
- Endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology and treatment of major depressive illness
- Antidepressant-like effects of cannabidiol in mice: Possible involvement of 5-HT1A receptors
- The putative role of endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology of depression and actions of antidepressants
- Antidepressant-like effect of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa
- Circulating endocannabinoids and N-acyl ethanolamines are differentially regulated in major depression and following exposure to social stress
- Serum contents of endocannabinoids are correlated with blood pressure in depressed women
- The therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system for the development of a novel class of antidepressants
- Antidepressants and Changes in Concentration of Endocannabinoids and N-Acylethanolamines in Rat Brain Structures
- Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT1A receptors
- Prohedonic Effect of CBD in a Rat Model of Depression
- Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of CBD