Does CBD oil help you with your depression and/or anxiety?

Welcome @nane63, I think you'll appreciate reading this related discussion and connecting with members sharing their experiences:
- Does CBD oil help you with your depression and/or anxiety?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cbd-oil-and-depression-anxiety/
Have you talked to your psychiatrist about adding CBD to your treatment plan?

@lalyfa

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am a Volunteer Mentor and not a medical professional. As such I can offer the benefit of my personal experience, as can others on this site, but not medical diagnoses nor medical opinions. We strive to help each other with the understanding that we are all different and what works for me may not work for you. I have gotten so much good from participating in Mayo Connect that I love it.

Yes, I have used CBD tincture and CBD Living Water for anxiety. I haven't used it for depression as I already take an antidepressant. It doesn't seem to interfere with my Citalopram.

I decided to try CBD when I was withdrawing from Tramadol, a synthetic opiate I had been taking for pain (with 2 other medications) for over a year. As I began slowly reducing my use, I experienced a lot of anxiety and muscle tremors in my legs especially. I know that using a marijuana medication meant that my pain doctor would not prescribe for me again, but I was getting off the pain medications one by one anyway, so I don't care.

The CBD Living Water was my favorite as it just was like drinking bottled water and was immediately available in my system. Within a few minutes of drinking one serving, my anxiety began reducing. It was so benign that I thought perhaps it was just my own thoughts that were calming me down--my belief that it would help. So, I bought the CBD tincture as kind of a test to see if I reacted the same. The next time I was having withdrawal anxiety I used the CBD Tincture. I didn't realize at that time that it can take up to 2+ hours to have effect when you take the tincture, but that was actually good for my test purposes. My anxiety continued for another hour until slowly the tincture began taking effect. I decided then that the CBD Living Water worked best for my anxiety.

CBD Living Water is expensive at $5.00 per bottle with 2 servings. It has no flavor (the tincture had a sweet weird flavor I didn't like) and is easy to drink. I only used 4 bottles to help me through my withdrawal. I don't use it now, but I will if I have anxiety in the future. I am impressed with how helpful it was in my withdrawal. I think it would help in withdrawal from cigarettes too. I did that 34 years ago though.

Are you willing to share what you're anxiety is about? I had panic and anxiety attacks for years and used Ativan and later Lorazepam for them, especially when I had to fly in planes. About 6 years ago I started taking Citalopram antidepressant, and all my anxiety/panic attacks went away. I only had it again recently during my withdrawal process. I know my relief from anxiety is from the Citalopram. I even did 7 zip lines in Costa Rica a little over a year ago. My flights there, to Panama and back were anxiety free. That has been so incredible for me! I love traveling now.

Please let me know if you have questions,. I also hope others on Mayo Connect will let you know their experiences with CBD and Marijuana as medical alternative treatments.

Gail B
Volunteer Mentor

My experience is that CBD oil can help lessen a bit of the challenges if one is going through an episode, but it is not a cure all. Definitely work with your mental health professional.

I have had good luck with microdosing of THC gummies with CBD. I have been on Prozac for 25 years for depression and anxiety. I was having chronic insomnia with sleep anxiety. I stopped taking Ambien and am now taking microdoses of THC gummies. I am sleeping so much better and anxiety is gone. I live in IL so can purchase recreation at dispensary. My physician is on board. Best of luck!

Nothing works for everyone all the time. I have found there are no quick fixes. In all my research, which has been nauseatingly extensive. There are only three certain treatments for most mental health disorders; good sleep, clean diet and regular exercise. These three simple but not easy treatments are always, I repeat always recommended and almost as often ignored.

Don’t get me wrong, I tried everything (including CBD) rather than make these three simple changes.

If I could change mental healthcare, lifestyle changes and therapy would be required to be eligible for medications.

Fifteen years ago I went looking for a pill that could change my life for me. I got a bunch of them, they changed my life alright. I lost everything. My family, my fortune and my freedom.

I wish someone had given me the choice!

I've tried CBD oil for my anxiety, and it's been a game-changer for me. I used to struggle a lot with racing thoughts and panic attacks, but since incorporating CBD into my routine, I've noticed a significant reduction in my symptoms.

I've tried CBD oil for my anxiety, and it's been a game-changer for me. I used to struggle a lot with racing thoughts and panic attacks, but since incorporating CBD into my routine, I've noticed a significant reduction in my symptoms.