We’re already weeks into the Fall season and with it comes less sunlight, which, unfortunately, can contribute to changes in mood and seasonal depression. If you’ve been feeling moody lately, then CBD may be able to help.
CBD is known for having mood modification properties, but for more than just mood swings. It’s also known to help with anxiety and depression, which are two conditions that have a significant impact on our everyday mood. Research on CBD has demonstrated that it works as both an antidepressant and an anxiolytic, effectively reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. [1]
Preclinical research studying CBD’s effectiveness in treating anxiety and other mood disorders supports the notion that CBD can cause mood modification in a positive way. After reviewing available data from preclinical trials, researchers encouraged more clinical trials to be completed. They called CBD “a promising new agent in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders”, not just because it’s found to help treat mood disorders, but also because of how safe it is to consume. [2]
On the anecdotal front, consumers often report consuming CBD to help with different mood disorders. A survey of over 1600 people currently taking CBD for mood disorders found that 92% of people surveyed claimed to experience some sort of relief after taking CBD. 68% stated that CBD helped reduce feelings of nervousness. Other conditions participants said CBD helped with were panic attacks, mood swings, agitation, irritability, and sadness. [3]
Another interesting fact from the survey was that of the 1600 plus participants, 70% were women. This could suggest that women are more likely to choose CBD to help with mood modification than men. [3]
Ultimately, the consensus among researchers, consumers, and leading medical experts seems to be that yes, CBD can help modify your mood. If you happen to find yourself being moody during the Fall and Winter seasons, or any other time during the year, consider trying CBD as a natural way to mitigate mood swings.
References:
1- de Mello Schier AR, et al., Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2014;13(6):953-60. doi: 10.2174/187152731366614061211483. PMID: 24923339. Times Cited: 45 Journal Impact Factor: 3.93
2- Melas PA., et al., Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Molecular Targets and Epigenetic Insights from Preclinical Research. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(4):1863. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041863 Times Cited: 7 Journal Impact Factor: 5.923
3- Project CBD. CBD for Mood Disorders CBD Survey Results: Cultivating Wellness. Times Cited: 0 Journal Impact Factor: N/A
