Antidepressants VS. CBD oil

[LateNightBookworm]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. I've had an account for a while, but avoided posting anything until now. I suffer from Major Depressive Disorder with symptoms of anxiety. Over the past 15 years or so, I haven't been able to maintain stability in most areas of my life. Even when I have phases of relative stability and happiness, my depression always comes back and erases any progress I have made. I want to be happy and successful, and at 27 years old, I wish I had accomplished more by now. I know my Depression plays a huge role in my lack of happiness and success.

My doctors, therapists and psychiatrists have suggested and offered medication multiple times. I finally came to realize that maybe I need it. I was prescribed Sertraline. I am supposed to take 25mg per day for the first week, and then 50mg per day after that. I was told that is a light dose - which is what I want. I've had the pills for a week but I haven't started them yet. I'm still very skeptical. (I'm not skeptical that medication is the right path for a lot of people, or that it helps a lot of people - I am just still doubtful that it is what I want to choose.)

I have also heard a lot about CBD oil helping with depression. I also have epilepsy, and I've heard about CBD oil helping control seizures. It would be a nice add-on if I could take one natural product to treat both my illnesses, and get off the epilepsy medications I've been on for 13 years.

Does anyone have experience with either of these options as treatment for depression? Even better, does anyone have experience with both Sertraline/antidepressants and CBD oil?

I would really appreciate any advice, resources or support.

Thank you!

[Hidden]

If you get the CBD oil, you might want to get the tablets, the oil is rancid and leaves a terrible after taste, if you was close by you could have mine, I tried it once and didn't bother again. I didn't like it but I know many ppl who find it a godsend

[JAYnLA]

I'm on week 5 of sertraline and it is helping my anxiety and mild depression. I have windows of feeling 'normal', though they aren't permanent yet. I won't have the final verdict for a few more weeks but I'm optimistic. There was some increased anxiety in the first few weeks but my doctor gave me something to manage it which helps (when I actually take it). I tried various CBD products a couple of years ago and did not find that they helped me very much. Why not try the CBD first, give it a fair shake, and if it doesn't help you move on to the psych med route?

[Hidden]

In fact I'm going to go get some CBD oil capsules today, I read up about the benefits again last night. I put the time I used it down to a massive migraine and I could be wrong, it's a pity they don't do trial packs for a couple of quid, because they aren't cheap for if you don't like it.

[Hidden]

The only issue that you may want to check with your doctors on is this....much like grapefruit....higher levels of drugs can occur. Medications like benzos, statins, and others can reach unsafe levels. I found a website (not safe for work, so I cannot post) that emphasizes that the rule of thumb is, "If you cannot take with grapefruit, you probably shouldn't with CBD." I would check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking CBD oil (if it's pure, this especially) before consuming along with the other medications you mention. Unfortunately, my doctor couldn't confirm, so I went to Google unfortunately. Someone experienced with CBD and cannabis was quick to point this out. If you truly want to do CBD oil, I would see if you can discontinue the other medications.

This is because the method of metabolization via enzyme by the liver is inhibited by the grapefruit (in this case CBD) and can increase concentrations of your medications in your blood as it isn't being metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme that's responsible for over 50% of the removal of medications in our systems. As far as I'm ware of, hemp oil could be the better way to go to avoid this, but it is not as potent and helpful with issues that CBD addresses.

Just wanted to toss this out there as a possibility so nothing happens to anyone. With low drug dosages, it could possibly be safe and have less risk. Or you could take less of the CBD oil as you can discontinue. Or...maybe since regulations and testing on side effects is really low, they're just trying to toss out a "cover our butts" disclaimer. Unsure, but I held off using it until I can get a concrete answer to work off of.

[LateNightBookworm in reply to Hidden]

That's very helpful, thank you so much!

[dore13]

There is a problem with the CBD route. It is not regulated, and with each does you don't know how much you are getting, one day you could take a dose and feel great, the next day nothing, because the mixture isn't balanced. The other issue is each person has different experiences with it. Some people it can work for, some it doesn't. There is the possibility of it working in the opposite way, again this is because we are all different biochemically. I'd consult your doctor, and if you do decide to try it, work with your psychiatrist, so they can make sure they do not see a decline in your mood or behavior.