6 Tips for Using CBD for Depression and Anxiety
With the rapid boom in CBD products in the last few years, there’s been an increasing interest in the potential benefits of this compound for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Anecdotal evidence from daily users and ongoing research on the benefits of CBD is pointing in a positive direction.
CBD is continuously being studied for its anxiolytic and mood-regulating effects that can be used to manage symptoms. If the idea of using CBD for depression and anxiety has piqued your curiosity as well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re sharing 6 of our best tips to help you get started with using CBD for depression and see if it works for you.
Tip #1: Find the Correct Dosage of CBD
Though most products contain instructions for dosage at the back of the packaging, figuring out the right amount of CBD for yourself is a bit more complicated than that. The same dosage of CBD taken by people of the same age and weight but it can still work differently depending on their metabolism and pre-existing conditions or the severity of the ailment they’re trying to address.
There’s no standardized serving size to use CBD for depression but most users consume anything between 10mg to 40mg of CBD every day. How much you should consume will depend on two factors besides your physiology. That is: bioavailability and potency.
Bioavailability - Not all the CBD you consume becomes active in your body. Bioavailability refers to the amount of CBD that makes its way into your bloodstream. If you consume a product with low bioavailability, you might have to consume more of it or a version that has a higher potency to achieve your desired results.
Potency - The amount of CBD present in every serving or milligram of a product is known as its potency. For example, if a 30ml bottle of CBD oil contains 20mg of CBD per ml, its potency is at 20%. The ideal potency for using CBD for depression lies between 20% to 60%.
What’s the right way to start taking CBD for depression and anxiety and figure out the correct dose for your body if you’re a beginner?
- Consult your doctor - They know your medical history and will be able to guide you best on how much you should take and when.
- Start small - We recommend starting off with as low as 5mg and then working your way up until you find a dose that works for you.
- Don’t layer - If you don’t feel any effects from the dose you take, don’t take another one immediately. Wait for your body to fully process it and then try again later with a higher dose.
Tip #2: Figure Out How You’ll Consume It
There are many ways that you can consume CBD, which is why there’s such a wide variety of products available in the market — everything from bath bombs, mists, and salves to oils, flower, prerolls, and gummies. But not every product works the same or has enough bioavailable CBD for depression. Here are a few ways you can take CBD for depression and anxiety:
Sublingually - When CBD is absorbed through the receptors in the tongue, it immediately enters the bloodstream and begins showing effects. This method of consumption is called sublingual. Oils, tinctures, and sprays are good ways to consume CBD sublingually.
Edibles - Food, drinks, capsules, and pills infused with or containing CBD travel through the digestive tract where they’re metabolized in the usual way to reach your bloodstream. This method is slow and reduces the potency of CBD.
Topicals - CBD can be applied directly on the skin in the form of salves and creams. If you want to use CBD for depression, then you’re better off skipping this method because it only works for the area coming in direct contact and is used for relief from pain and inflammation.
Vaping/Smoking - This is the fastest way to absorb CBD into your body and experience its effects. But compared to other methods, the effects of vaping and smoking CBD also last for the shortest amount of time.
Tip #3: Choose the Right Cultivar or Variety of CBD
Not all CBD for depression and anxiety is made the same. Depending on which cultivar you choose, you can either end up worsening your symptoms or achieve your desired results faster. CBD can be derived from either of the two cultivars — Indica and Sativa. There’s also a Hybrid variety that combines the best traits from both its parents. Here’s what makes each cultivar unique:
Sativa - Hemp varieties falling under the Sativa family are usually preferred by many who are looking to use CBD for depression. The effects of this cultivar are uplifting and energizing.
Indica - This cultivar is associated with feelings of calm and relaxation. It’s often used by those who need a little help with better sleep or easing anxiety.
Hybrid - Being a mix of both Indica and Sativa, Hybrid varieties are ideal for achieving focus, increasing alertness, and productivity. They can be dominant in either Sativa or Indica.
Which Is the Best Cultivar of CBD for Depression and Anxiety?
Even though each cultivar is associated with a standard set of effects, saying that one produces a better combination of terpenes and CBD for depression than the other would be misleading. Every hemp cultivar has a different composition with varying types and degrees of cannabinoids and terpenes.
The final effects will not only depend on the plant’s composition but also how it’s grown and the user’s biochemistry. This means that what works for others may not work for you. The best course of action is to experiment until you find a CBD for depression that clicks with you.
Tip #4: Create a Daily Consumption Routine
The management of any mental health issue is a slow process that requires patience and consistency above all to prove effective. Create a simple wellness routine for yourself that seamlessly integrates CBD into your day-to-day activities and can be easily followed without you having to put in any extra effort. Here are a few ways you can take CBD for depression and anxiety daily:
- Put a few drops of CBD oil into your morning cup of tea, coffee, or juice.
- Pop in a gummy as a quick treat while you’re commuting or during work breaks.
- Add CBD oil to desserts like a batch of brownies or ice cream.
- Unwind with a freshly-made joint, preroll, or vape in the evenings.
- Take a softgel or another gummy before going to bed.
These are only a few suggestions. We recommend building your own routine to use CBD for depression with the products you like and diligently sticking to it to see results.
Tip #5: Be Aware of Potential Side-Effects
Even though CBD in itself is pretty safe, it can still negatively interact with medications or aggravate pre-existing medical conditions. It can also have some side effects such as lightheadedness, drowsiness, changes in appetite, diarrhea, etc.
If you are taking any medications, have a serious medical condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your doctor before taking CBD for depression or anxiety.
Tip #6: Shop From Reputable Sources
Did you know that hemp can absorb toxic metal contaminants and other impurities from the soil it’s grown on? This process is known as phytoremediation. It’s quite effective for cleaning up contaminated soil but it also poses a major challenge when it comes to growing and processing hemp for CBD.
This is why you should be extremely cautious about where you buy your CBD for depression relief from. Here are two things you should keep in mind while looking for a reputable seller to purchase your CBD for depression and anxiety from:
1. Check Whether They Grow Their Hemp Naturally or Not
Hemp is a sturdy plant that doesn’t need chemical fertilizers or pesticides to grow healthily. If the seller doesn’t mention whether their hemp is grown naturally or organically it’s a huge red flag. If they say they’re organic, ensure that it’s not all just talk and that they are actually USDA certified. CBD for depression is safer and more effective when grown naturally or organically.
2. Find Out Whether Their Products Are Third-Party Lab Tested
Every reputable seller gets their products tested by third-party labs for a full analysis and makes the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) publicly accessible. A CoA not only serves as proof that the product complies with 2018 Farm Laws but also contains the details of the cannabinoid and terpenes that it claims to have. This is essential if you want to get the best CBD for depression.
Rogue Origin: Your Trusted Hub for CBD Hemp Products
At Rogue Origin, we put great emphasis on quality, transparency, and reliability to produce the best hemp CBD for depression and anxiety. Our products are USDA-certified, third-party lab tested, and are grown naturally on our own farms in southern Oregon under the supervision of industry experts who are committed to producing high-quality products from seed to sale.
Our products are always produced in small batches to maintain their freshness and come to you directly from our farms. Whether you want to try out CBD for depression, insomnia, or anything else, you can always find the best non-psychoactive hemp products at Rogue Origin. Explore our range now!
*The information provided above is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat or diagnose anyone and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, contact a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
