Many people struggle with mental illnesses, and when their symptoms are too severe, they may need medical intervention. People often turn to antidepressants when they are experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
Zoloft is a popular prescription antidepressant, but it has been used to treat other mental health conditions.
A growing body of research indicates that cannabidiol, or CBD oil, may be an effective treatment for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Understanding CBD and Mental Health
The Basics
Cannabis is a flowering plant that produces both marijuana and hemp. Both types of cannabis have cannabinoids, which are psychoactive compounds found in the Cannabis sativa L. species (marijuana). Cannabinoids interact with receptors throughout your brain and body to influence various functions such as pain sensation, mood regulation, appetite, and memory.
CBD is a cannabinoid that offers many benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC, which means it won’t get you high. Unlike cannabis Sativa L., hemp contains only trace amounts of cannabinoids – less than .03 percent by volume as U.S laws require. CBD oil can be derived from either marijuana or hemp, but when derived from marijuana or cannabis, Sativa L. contains much higher levels of THC and CBD than when derived from the stalks and seeds of hemp.
CBD oil is available in dispensaries throughout Colorado, where medical marijuana can be purchased legally to treat all manner of conditions, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain including fibromyalgia, seizures & epilepsy, PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), and more.
Scientists are still learning about how CBD works, but studies have shown that it positively impacts various brain functions, including mood regulation, pain sensation, and memory.
CBD oil may be beneficial for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression because CBD interacts with receptors in your endocannabinoid system (ECS), responsible for homeostasis within the body.
Read more: Top CBD Oil Brands for ADHD Reviewed
Understanding Zoloft and Mental Health
The Basics
Zoloft is a common prescription antidepressant used to treat anxiety, depression, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), and other mental health conditions. Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by increasing levels of serotonin. Serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone,” allows for healthy moods and thinking processes.
Zoloft can be used to treat these mental health conditions alone or in combination with talk therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It’s important to note that Zoloft should only be used when necessary, as the side effects may outweigh any potential benefits.
Differences in Effectiveness
Zoloft has been studied extensively, particularly when treating depression—and its efficacy is well-documented.
It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite and sleep, among other things. When serotonin levels are low, it can lead to symptoms of depression.
CBD oil has also been studied extensively in recent years for its medical benefits—but much less when it comes specifically to treating mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
However, the evidence so far suggests CBD oil may be helpful for people with these conditions.
The science of utilizing CBD to treat mental health concerns is still very young. Still, anecdotal reports suggest it may benefit those who are currently taking Zoloft or other SSRIs.
While both CBD and Zoloft work by increasing serotonin levels, CBD is not nearly as potent in comparison.
The fact that Zoloft works by increasing serotonin levels may be part of the reason why it has been studied more extensively than CBD. Serotonin plays a crucial role in mood regulation – which means scientists are better able to learn how SSRIs like Zoloft affect overall brain function.
Can CBD Be Taken With Zoloft?
The short answer is yes, CBD oil can be taken with Zoloft. The long answer is that the two will work in slightly different ways to produce their desired effects, but they should still complement each other well.
CBD may not provide quite as potent relief of anxiety or depression symptoms while taking it alone – however, if you take both CBD and Zoloft together, you may be able to reduce your dosage of the former.
This can lead to potentially greater benefits than taking either one alone – but again, more research is needed before any conclusive statements about this combination are made!
Don’t forget that CBD oil should not be taken with other medications unless approved by a doctor.
Can CBD Take Over the Role of Zoloft as an Antidepressant?
It’s best to consult a doctor before trying CBD oil as an antidepressant replacement for Zoloft.
People have been known to stop taking their medication when they feel better, then the symptoms return, and they resume treatment—it can become a cycle that worsens mental health conditions over time!
Zoloft isn’t just meant to improve mood—it has been proven to work in treating other conditions, such as anxiety and OCD.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that CBD oil can help treat mental health disorders – but more research is needed before any conclusive statements about its potential effectiveness or safety!
Read more: Can CBD Oil Help With Nerve Pain?
The Bottom Line
Zoloft may provide the best results in symptom relief, but CBD oil may be helpful in conjunction with it.
Zoloft is well-documented for treating depression and anxiety – there are even studies have shown its effectiveness in treating other conditions like OCD.
On the other hand, while much research has been done on how effective CBD oil can be when combined with Zoloft – there is still much more research before it can be used as a replacement medication.
Have you tried CBD oil or Zoloft to treat your mental illness? What was the experience like for you, and would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments!