Cannabidiol for Treating Depression and Anxiety

Introduction

Mental health disorder is one of the most major healthcare issues of recent times. Every one out of eight people in the world is suffering from mental health-related or psychological problems. Almost 970 million people in the world suffer from such complications. Also, in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, around a 25 to 28 percent increase in such psychological disorders can be observed. These disorders cause major impairment in thinking, emotions, behavior, and daily activities. Several treatment options are used nowadays to treat such conditions. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological options have been used for treating such patients. The application of CBD is one of them.

What Is Depression?

Depression can be called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It is a type of mental disorder that negatively affects feelings, thought processes, and daily activities. Regardless of age, sex, education, ethnicity, and income group, this may affect anyone’s physical activities, sleeping patterns, and eating patterns. Around 280 million people in the world suffer from this condition, among which 23 million are children and adolescents.

Symptoms:

1. Persistent feelings of sadness and emptiness.

2. Continuous feelings of hopelessness and pessimism.

3. Short temperament with continuous irritability.

4. Persons often feel frustration, guilt, and worthlessness.

5. Lack of concentration, along with diminished interest in hobbies, can be observed.

6. Change in the sleeping patterns, such as lack of sleep, oversleeping, and waking in the morning.

7. Change in food habits and appetite. Sudden weight loss and excessive weight gain can be seen.

Types:

The types of depression are;

1. Major Depression: This is related to signs of a depressed state of mind or lack of enthusiasm, persisting for a minimum of 14 days, which hampers one's regular activities.

2. Persistent Depressive Disorder: This is also known as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder, which includes less or severe symptoms of depression. Symptoms last a much longer period, usually for at least two years.

3. Perinatal Depression: This type of depression is seen before and after pregnancy. Hormonal, emotional, and familial changes are associated with such kinds of depression. Prenatal depression refers to the depression that starts during pregnancy, while postpartum depression is the depression that is observed after the baby is born.

4. Seasonal Affective Disorder: Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that shows a cyclic pattern. This usually correlates with the changing seasons. Generally, individuals experience symptoms of this condition in the latter part of autumn and early winter, while they tend to subside as spring and summer approach.

5. Depression With Symptoms of Psychosis: This type of depression is quite severe, where a person goes through unusual psychosis symptoms like having disturbing false beliefs (delusions) or hearing/seeing things that others cannot (hallucinations).

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is linked to fear psychosis and future anticipation of negative outcomes related to various events. It is a complex cognitive, affective, physiological, and behavioral response manifested due to negative thoughts. Sometimes, it is associated with threats, danger, or inappropriate situations. Several factors like medications, physical and mental trauma, substance abuse, and panic disorders can cause anxiety. Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are believed to play a key role in anxiety within the central nervous system. The disruption in the modulation of the central nervous system is responsible for anxiety. Serotonergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitters are the main causative factors for this. All these factors change the functioning of the amygdala of the brain. Abnormal activation patterns between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system can be reversed through psychological or pharmacological interventions leading to stress.

Symptoms:

1. The feeling of nervousness or restlessness.

2. Weird feeling of impending danger, panic, or doom.

3. Increased heart rate, sweating, and rapid breathing.

4. Difficulty in thinking and concentrating for longer duration.

5. Altered sleeping habits like lack of sleep, oversleeping, and awakening in the morning.

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a pharmacologically active by-product obtained from the medicinal plant Cannabis sativa. It is also known as Indian hemp. This plant originated from central and eastern Asia. Almost 400 chemical compounds are present in this plant, among which 80 compounds are biologically active. Cannabinoids are the most important compound among these, which is formed by a terpene combined with resorcinol or a benzopyran ring system. Psychoactive active compounds present in tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), particularly the isomer delta. Other identified compounds are cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), and olivetol. Other products present in trace amounts are beta-myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, d-limonene, linalool, piperidine, p-cymene, and flavonoids such as quercetin in synthetic cannabis-related drug products substances like dronabinol and nabilone.

The pharmacological effects of cannabidiols have numerous benefits. These include effects like an analgesic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, and antipsychotic activity.

What Are the Effects of Cannabidiol on Anxiety and Depression?

There are several beneficial effects of numerous compounds of cannabidiol. These are;

1. Tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), present in the cannabidiol, acts as a mood elevator due to its euphoric action.

2. CBD binds to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and causes negative allosteric modulation. Allosteric regulation of this G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) is achieved through the changes in the activity of the receptor on a functionally distinct site from the agonist or antagonist binding site. These agonist and antagonist actions help to avoid psychomimetic effects like hallucination and depressant effects.

3. The anxiolytic action of cannabidiols is attributed to its effect on the 5-HT1A receptor.

4. CBD is also helpful in reducing stress by blocking by blocking the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This causes anxiolytic effects in brain regions like the bed nucleus and stria terminalis. Additionally, activation of 5-HT1A receptors may help reduce stress.

5. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in mood disorders and psychological abnormalities. CBD causes the activation of GPR55, which is responsible for anti-inflammatory actions. Also, it has anticonvulsant effects. Agonist effects of CBD on adenosine A2A receptors help to reduce neuroinflammation.

6. CBD is responsible for preventing the synthesis of f superoxide radicals. This reduces the chances of oxidative stress.

What Are the Side Effects Of Cannabidiol?

The potential side effects of cannabidiol treatment are;

1. Liver damage.

2. Change in the behavior pattern and sleeping patterns.

3. In some cases, patients complain about drowsiness, sedation, and mood swings.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is obtained from the medicinal plant Cannabis sativa. It is helpful for pharmacologically active chemicals like tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH), particularly the isomer delta. Other identified compounds are cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC). These chemicals have anxiolytic functions and prevent neural damage. Also, stress reduction and prevention of depression can be observed. As a result, this is used as adjuvant therapy in preventing depression and anxiety.