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

I have been totally off the effexor and all anti-depressants for 2 weeks now. The dizziness is getting much better however my emotions/agitation are horrible. I cry at everything and am extremely crabby/agitated. I realize most of this has to do with the withdrawal. I really want to see this through to find out if I can live without anti-depressants but at the same time I know it's very hard on my family. I have another doctor appt beginning of April and she says that if I don't feel better by then I most likely will need to go back on an anti-depressant. For the most part I agree with her. My hopes of proving her wrong as getting slim however. I'd like to know how long it took some of you who have withdrawn from anti-depressants to feel somewhat 'normal' or you knew you had to go back on them? I guess I'm asking if another month is a good amount of time for me to determine what I should do. In some ways I feel like I should start on them again now but I'm not going there yet? BTW, I am in no way feeling suicidal. Mornings seem to be my worst time and by early evenings I feel somewhat better - is this strange too? I haven't tried the CBD living water yet but did find a place near me to get it. Just havent had the time to get there. I also have the Ativan which I take one night to help with sleep. I'm trying not to take it unless really necessary. Tomorrow I have a huge even that my husband and I are in charge of so I'm planning to take an Ativan in the morning to get me through the day without falling apart (crying scene) in front of everyone (or yelling at them) :)! Thanks for all your input!!

@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

With some of the dreadful reactions I have had to medications I mostly say no to drugs. The psychotropics turn me psycho. I read about addictions and have been through thus...I went off cold turkey with pain medication, antidepressants, anti psychotics, anti anxiety...I do not care to go through anything like that again. If I can get something stronger than an OTC I only want a low dose and do not want to go through what I did in 2010 again. This is where I am currently. Maybe my pain is not as severe as pain is for others. I do know what withdrawal is like and...I have had a good life all in all. I endeavor to be content and learn what I can. I do know what does not work for me.

@parus i just got my certification for medical marijuana. Upon buying what was recommended I was given CBD oil, I’ve not been on it a week yet today will be my fourth day of using it. It takes about 1/2 hour to work but it seems to help. They also gave me a cannabinol patch to use at night fir the severe itch in my head from the shingles. Also a vape two puffs as needed for the itch break through which I have not tried yet. I’m a bit anxious about using it.

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!

@parus

Some people vape the CBD oil, which is legal everywhere. However, I don't like vaping or smoking anything as I've tried and it hurts my throat and lungs. I have the hunch that it's not good to put anything in my lungs. I smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 17 years and quit cold turkey in 1982. Marijuana helped me quit cigarettes at the time, but I didn't smoke it often due to it being illegal at the time.

I put the CBD oil under my tongue and hold it there for about 30 seconds before swallowing it. It takes longer to have effect then, but it does work. For immediate mild effects, CBD Living Water works immediately.

You're right, insurance won't pay for anything connected to Cannabis. I'm surprised it doesn't pay for your thyroid med. Are you on Medicare? I am, and they pay for my Levothyroxin that I take for my thyroid. It's the generic for Synthroid. Also, perhaps you need an adjustment in the mcg. you are taking. I was being prescribed way too much for several years and had a lot of side effects. My new Endocrinologist cut it nearly in half and had me stop taking it completely for a week or two (can't remember how long). I was worried to learn that overdosing it can cause bone thinning! I don't need that at my age! I hope you get good information from the documentary.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

@parus

Some people vape the CBD oil, which is legal everywhere. However, I don't like vaping or smoking anything as I've tried and it hurts my throat and lungs. I have the hunch that it's not good to put anything in my lungs. I smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 17 years and quit cold turkey in 1982. Marijuana helped me quit cigarettes at the time, but I didn't smoke it often due to it being illegal at the time.

I put the CBD oil under my tongue and hold it there for about 30 seconds before swallowing it. It takes longer to have effect then, but it does work. For immediate mild effects, CBD Living Water works immediately.

You're right, insurance won't pay for anything connected to Cannabis. I'm surprised it doesn't pay for your thyroid med. Are you on Medicare? I am, and they pay for my Levothyroxin that I take for my thyroid. It's the generic for Synthroid. Also, perhaps you need an adjustment in the mcg. you are taking. I was being prescribed way too much for several years and had a lot of side effects. My new Endocrinologist cut it nearly in half and had me stop taking it completely for a week or two (can't remember how long). I was worried to learn that overdosing it can cause bone thinning! I don't need that at my age! I hope you get good information from the documentary.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

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

@parus

Some people vape the CBD oil, which is legal everywhere. However, I don't like vaping or smoking anything as I've tried and it hurts my throat and lungs. I have the hunch that it's not good to put anything in my lungs. I smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 17 years and quit cold turkey in 1982. Marijuana helped me quit cigarettes at the time, but I didn't smoke it often due to it being illegal at the time.

I put the CBD oil under my tongue and hold it there for about 30 seconds before swallowing it. It takes longer to have effect then, but it does work. For immediate mild effects, CBD Living Water works immediately.

You're right, insurance won't pay for anything connected to Cannabis. I'm surprised it doesn't pay for your thyroid med. Are you on Medicare? I am, and they pay for my Levothyroxin that I take for my thyroid. It's the generic for Synthroid. Also, perhaps you need an adjustment in the mcg. you are taking. I was being prescribed way too much for several years and had a lot of side effects. My new Endocrinologist cut it nearly in half and had me stop taking it completely for a week or two (can't remember how long). I was worried to learn that overdosing it can cause bone thinning! I don't need that at my age! I hope you get good information from the documentary.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

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