Most people living with bipolar disorder are prescribed a cocktail of drugs that include mood stabilizers like lithium, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medication, anticonvulsants, and sleeping tablets, often leaving them so medicated they’re unable to function.
For the better part of my young adult life, I self-medicated with cannabis and alcohol. After my diagnosis, it took a while, but I managed to quit cannabis and reduce my alcohol consumption. Indeed, most health professionals cite the risk of worsening manic episodes with cannabis consumption and its link with the increasing threat of psychosis. And yet, anecdotal evidence both from patients and a few pioneering doctors are reporting some life-changing benefits from CBD-rich cannabis, including mood stabilization, the holy grail in bipolar disorder symptom management. Can cannabidiol, also known as CBD, help treat the symptoms? CBD is a health product that many people use for mental and physical health reasons. But is there any evidence of using CBD for bipolar disorder? Here’s what I was able to find out. The basics Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the dozens of chemical compounds found in hemp and cannabis plants. CBD has become popular over the past few years, and CBD products are often used for health reasons. CBD is only one of many cannabinoids in cannabis. CBD is nonintoxicating — it can’t make you feel “high” on its own. The cannabinoid that makes you feel intoxicated is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD can be found in numerous forms, including oils, edibles, capsules, tablets, and creams. CBD for bipolar disorder Many people say they use CBD for conditions that affect moods and symptoms like depression and anxiety. At the same time, some evidence suggests that CBD could help with these issues, but there is a lack of research into this topic, as a 2018 review points out. However, some studies prove its effectiveness in concurring anxiety and stress diagnostics. The benefits of CBD for bipolar disorder include:
CBD helps to minimize the impact of bipolar disorders in three different ways. Firstly, cannabidiol can function as a powerful antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety solution. CBD achieves this by modulating specific receptors in the human brain responsible for the distribution of the serotonin hormone. CBD can deliver mood balance and prevent bipolar episodes by increasing serotonin levels. The science behind CBD and bipolar disorder work is a little more complex, but the primary way it works is primarily concerned with serotonin. Secondly, CBD is a potent neuroprotective agent. The human brain can be affected by inflammation in the human body through neuroinflammation. This process is partially responsible for mood disorders and, if left unchecked, can progress into severe neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, or Parkinson’s, Lastly, cannabidiol can promote growth in the hippocampus region of the human brain. The hippocampus is closely linked to various cognitive functions and is associated with mood balance, emotional control, and memory recall. Clinical investigations have demonstrated that individuals that have been diagnosed with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia all possess smaller hippocampi than average. CBD has been proven to promote neurogenesis, or the growth of new neuron cells, in these regions. Safety in use Although there are clear benefits to using CBD with bipolar disorder, there are some important cautions to be aware of before deciding if it’s right for you or not. CBD is considered safe for human consumption. However, it can interact with certain medications, particularly those with a grapefruit warning. Like grapefruit, CBD can affect the enzymes in your liver to change the way your body processes certain medications. If you combine CBD or grapefruit with these drugs, you could experience side effects. If you’re unsure whether CBD is safe, consider talking with your treatment team first. In sum Bipolar disorder can severely interrupt normal daily activities and is challenging to treat effectively. Many people are now turning to CBD to alleviate their symptoms. It works in a few ways related to hormones, neurotransmitters, and central nervous system homeostasis (balance). It also helps alleviate common side effects such as muscle tension, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The most important thing to remember when taking CBD supplements for bipolar disorder is to first consult with your doctor(s) and avoid any supplement or cannabis containing high amounts of THC. This is very important, as THC can make symptoms of bipolar disorder far worse.
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AuthorI was born in 1986 in Lebanon. I'm still trying to find my passion in life and in the meantime I'm learning to navigate my bipolarity and redefining stability. Archives
February 2024
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