CBD and Bipolar Disorder: Benefits, Risks, and More
Sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is characterized by major shifts in energy levels and mood. Most people with bipolar disorder experience manic episodes and depressive episodes, although this will depend on the kind of bipolar disorder you have. In the United States, almost 5 percent of adults experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.
Cannabidiol or CBD is a health product that many people are using for their physical and mental health. But is there really evidence that CBD can help patients suffering from bipolar disorder? Read on to learn more.
The Basics of Cannabidiol
CBD is a cannabinoid. It is one of the many chemical compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants. In the few years, CBD has risen in popularity and is often used for health reasons. This cannabinoid is non-intoxicating, which means it does not make you high. The CBD that makes you feel intoxicated is THC or tetrahydrocannabidiol. Cannabidiol is found in many forms, including oil, edibles, flower, capsules, topicals and vapes.
CBD for Bipolar Disorder
Many people use CBD for conditions that affect moods, and symptoms like anxiety and depression. There are some evidence suggesting that CBD can help with these issues, but more research is still needed to further verify them. Studies have shown that CBD can be useful for anxiety, and it may have anti-stress effects. Promising research like these have made people wonder if it can work with bipolar disorder.
Despite the limited studies on CBD and bipolar disorder, CBD appears to generate the same kind of response in the body similar to the conventional medications used to treat bipolar disorder. The antioxidative and neuroprotective benefits of CBD can also help alleviate the symptoms of the disease and increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.
It is easy to find testimonies from people diagnosed with bipolar disorder who credit CBD for relieving their symptoms, or reducing the side effects of the medications they are currently using. Although these testimonies are anecdotal, these findings appear to be supported by scientific evidence.
Research has also shown that CBD acts similarly to unconventional antipsychotic drugs minus the potentially dangerous and long-term side effects. it provides mood-stabilizing and anticonvulsant benefits that can treat manic episodes. CBD has also shown to have value as a low-risk antidepressant that will unlikely interfere with prescription drugs.
CBD and Bipolar Medication
Although cannabidiol is considered safe for human consumption, it also has a change of interacting with certain medications, particularly those with a grapefruit warning. Just like grapefruit, CBD can affect liver enzymes which changes the way the body processes certain drugs. Combining CBD or grapefruit with these drugs can give side effects.
Most medications for bipolar disorder have this grapefruit warning. This means that CBD should not be mixed with these medications. Drugs with grapefruit warnings that are used for bipolar disorder are anti-anxiety medications or anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants. If you are not sure if it is safe to use CBD, it is best to talk with your health provider first.
What’s Next for CBD?
There is still lack of research when it comes to CBD and bipolar disorder, so there is still not enough evidence on whether cannabidiol can completely treat the symptoms on its own. if you are looking to use CBD to manage the symptoms of your bipolar disorder, it is important to talk to your doctor first.
It is not advisable to mix CBD your current medicine with CBD, or completely replace it altogether without the advice of your doctor. If you need more information about CBD for bipolar disorder, reach out to a qualified healthcare professional or therapist to talk about your treatment option.
