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

Hi, all — as there has been a lot of discussion in this thread about using CBD oil and marijuana (prescribed or otherwise) 1) to control depression and anxiety or 2) to treat side effects of tapering off of antidepressants, we requested input from a Mayo Clinic pharmacist on the topic.

She recommended the following resource from the Minnesota Department of Health: http://www.health.state.mn.us/topics/cannabis/patients/patientinfosheet.pdf, which talks about warnings for using medical marijuana. In this info sheet you'll find sections about:
- Risks for use by children, adolescents, and young adults
- Risk for use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Risk of psychotic episodes and psychotic disease
- Risk of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
- Risks for use by persons with serious heart or liver disease
- Risk of dependence and addiction

The pharmacist also mentioned that one would assume risks to be greater when used without medical oversight (e.g., CBD oil, cannabis water, etc.) She indicated that it’s important to remember that this could be an addictive substance, so using it to “wean” off other addictive substances may just be trading one addiction for another.

The info sheet also includes information about:
- Driving, operating machinery, or doing work that could harm people when under the influence of medical cannabis
- Advice on starting low, going slow
- Keeping medications secure and in their original containers
- Sharing with or selling cannabis to others

I hope this helps with some of the questions people were asking.

The most important aspect of going off any psych med, or any med, really, is ALWAYS to titration down SLOWLY. When one does not slowly, over the course of 1-2 weeks ( depending on your original dosage) titrare or reduce the dosage one experiences all the original symptoms you were treating fully, but one experiences the withdrawal effects of the meds... which sounds like your experience. CBD is a really incredible way to treat anxiety, and many of the PTSD symptoms. It’s a challenge to find a doc in MN to “certify” you for the purchase of this “medical marijuana” treatment. (I prefer to call it cannabis treatment as the term “marijuana” is loaded with culturally negative connotations, and also when one is treated with medical cannabis it truly is no longer the “marijuana” one buys on the street or we used to smoke in days gone by.)
I have found my cannabis treatment a MIRACLE when treating many types of pain I experience, from ortho pain to anxiety and pain from fibromyalgia, and arthritis.
Find a doc who’ll certify you, then begin trying the different types of treatment.
Blessings, and I hope you find relief!

It’s WORTH any fear you may hVe. It works so quickly that in a few minutes you’ll even forget you had the pain. I used the vape exclusively, and it’s amazing! Best wishes!

How to sensibly buy LEGAL cbd oil? Because I got a letter saying customs has confiscated my package two times already and I’m pissed.

@robertc074 and @jameswhite15

Welcome to the Mayo Connect community. I am a Volunteer Mentor and not a medical professional. I can offer the benefit of my experience and my support, but cannot diagnose your issues nor prescribe a medical solution. The entire Mayo Connect community offers support and encouragement where they can. We also share our feelings and experience that we may not feel safe sharing at home.

Can you please share with us:
- the condition you want to use CBD to resolve?
- In what state do you live?
- Do you have a prescription for medical marijuana?
- Have you used medical marijuana previously?

I have never tried to purchase CBD oil through the mail. If customs is involved, it sounds as if you are purchasing yours from outside the United States. Is that true?

I see that @jameswhite15 also offered you a URL below.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

@lisalucier

Thanks for posting the link to the Minnesota Department of Health medical sheet on marijuana. I noticed there are several contradictions between the document and the CNN Documentary about "WEED" that was recently televised. The documentary disputed, based on research, the idea that marijuana is addictive and/or a "gateway drug". Since the use of Marijuana and it's derivatives is still experimental, I think these discrepancies will be resolved with further research and use. I know it has been shown in studies and anecdotally to help people withdraw successfully from opioids.

As we know from experience, each person's response to drugs of any kind is highly variable. My husband uses medical marijuana with high THC, but has no problem stopping use suddenly, i.e., while we were on 15 days of vacation, without any "withdrawal" symptoms. He even commented on that fact when we got home. Also, since cancer patients rather famously use marijuana to reduce the nausea caused by chemotherapy, I wonder about the statement in the information sheet that marijuana can cause nausea. Again, individual reactions vary. And, the risk of "cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome" is new to me. I know that I react strongly to marijuana that I have vaped. I don't like it as I get too high even with one inhalation. I only use it rarely orally so I know exactly how much I have taken. I have more control over and can adjust the dose according to how I feel.

Last, I will search for an information sheet from California to be aware of any warnings it may contain. Some skepticism I have on the Minnesota information sheet is because marijuana was so badly and mistakenly maligned by the government in the past. I look forward to the day when enough research has been done to give definitive results to individuals.

Warm regards,
Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Has anyone tried CBD oil to quit smoking cigs? My boyfriend is trying to quit and thinks this would help

Gail, I think you are spot on with the points you make. There has never been one iota of research that indicates marijuana is a gateway drug. People who enjoy the "high" from cannabis and want to try something that may give them a "bigger or better high", may very well try cocaine or heroin, but the same individual could have arrived there from huffing paint or cough syrup. There is also no evidence that it is addictive, but there are folks like me who have to exercise more care with anything due to an addictive personality - I know there is a more scientific name, but it does not spring to mind. I have taken the synthetic marinol for appetite enhancement post surgery and it worked incredibly well and also was the best pain med I have used.

The reason we talk about there being no research to suggests most of these claims is that the DEA slapped a series 1 narcotic label on it before any research was done and pharma companies never pursued it for fear of getting cross ways with law enforcement and the FDA. The FDA just recently approved the first medicine that has some part of the cannabis plant included and it is believed that it will be used for off label uses quickly and that more will follow. If we actually allow an effective pain killer that is non-addictive, we may begin making progress in "the opioid crisis".

You're right, @gailb. Because more research is needed, there will be contradictions in guidelines on the use of medical marijuana. On the point of addiction, the info sheet states, "The risk of addiction is likely to be higher ... for persons who have already experienced addictions," which @gman007 mentioned as well. You're also right to point out that everyone is different. Thanks for being so thorough in the information you share.

I started using medical cannabis to relieve my intractable pain, although my primary diagnosis is PTSD.
I've found it worked extremely well for my anxiety. I also have Bipolar 1, and PTSD, for which the cannabis works beautifully! I also had extreme pain from a shoulder needing replacement. Again, it worked wonderfully.
The issues are ;
1. The docs who can "certify" are not really available (as far as i knew a year ago) in Rochester, so you have to go to the Cities, once you search out and find a doc. Look on line.
2. None of this is covered by insurance. Expect to pay $200 plus just for the doc who certifies you. Depending on what you get in terms of the medial cannabis, it can be expensive. None of this is covered by insurance! Just so you know...
3. You MUST have a current diagnosis that fits the parameters of what MN will allow legal treatment for cannabis. Research this.
4. DO NOT BE FOOLED THINKING SMOKING POT IS THE SAME THING! IT"S NOT! Medical cannabis is very specifically formulated. It is tested for actual percentages of cannabis CBN and THC levels. The pharmacist at the dispensary will help you decide what's best, what fits your diagnosis.
5. If you have the need for Pain control, or help with other illnesses or conditions that can be treated by MC, do your due diligence to make it happen. It's worth the trouble and time, and the money.
Best wishes for all who may be treated, and treated well by MC!