Evidence supporting the use of: Cannabidiol
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from Cannabis sativa, has gained significant interest as a potential treatment for depression. Preclinical studies in animal models have demonstrated that CBD can produce antidepressant-like effects, possibly by modulating the serotonergic system and enhancing synaptic plasticity. Some small-scale human studies and case reports suggest that CBD may improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly in individuals with co-morbid anxiety disorders. For example, a 2018 review in Frontiers in Immunology highlighted CBD's potential to influence serotonin receptors (5-HT1A), which play a critical role in mood regulation.
However, robust clinical evidence is lacking. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) directly evaluating CBD for depression are limited, with most research focusing on anxiety, psychosis, or other neurological conditions. The existing human data often involve small sample sizes, lack of placebo controls, or use CBD in combination with other cannabinoids, making it difficult to isolate its effects. Currently, no major medical guidelines recommend CBD as a standard treatment for depression, and the FDA has not approved it for this indication.
In summary, while preclinical and early human studies provide a scientific rationale for exploring CBD as a treatment for depression, the current level of evidence is preliminary. High-quality RCTs are needed to establish efficacy, dosing, and safety before CBD can be recommended as a validated treatment for depression.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-methionine
l-phenylalanine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic acids
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
tongkat ali
almond fruit
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
whey protein
zinc
suma
gastrodia
mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
hypothalamus
cocoa
thyroid substance
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arginine Creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteracea
Algal protein
Aniracetam
Amor seco
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bee products
bacoside
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Caryophyllene
Common Monkey Flower
Crocin
Clary sage
Catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Chocolate
Creatine
Curcuma
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
Cannabichromene
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
Devil's Club
Dopamine
Egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Folic Acid
Flavonoids
Glycine
jasmine
Little ironweed
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut
yohimbine
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Cannabidiol
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Autism
Backache
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Convulsions
Crohn's Disease
Depression
Dermatitis
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Headache (general)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Nausea and Vomiting
Nerve Damage
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Pain (general remedies for)
Parkinson's Disease
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis