Treating Bipolar Disorder with CBD – Benefits & Effects

It is apparent that these conventional medications used in treating Bipolar Disorder mostly result in adverse side effects and that explains why many people are exploring safer treatment options like CBD. Besides some of these medications are costly, unlike CBD which is relatively cheaper.

According to scientists, the neuroprotective and antioxidative benefits of CBD may also help to alleviate the symptoms of bipolar and increase the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. This assertion can be explained by the fact that CBD binds with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), for the proper functioning of the brain.

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that causes extreme mood swings that are characterized by emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and emotional lows (depression). This condition is very common as an estimated 2.8 percent of the adults in the USA are suffering from it. People with Bipolar Disorder often face difficulties to handle their jobs, school tasks, finances as well as relationships. Mood swings caused by Bipolar Disorder could also affect sleep, energy, sense of judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly. The episodes of mood swing could occur rarely or multiple times within a year and while some patients experience emotional symptoms within the episodes of mood swings, others do not.

Even though Bipolar Disorder is common among older adults, some people as young as 25 could also be diagnosed with the condition. It should be noted that there are four major types of Bipolar Disorders, all of which involve evident changes in mood, energy as well as activity level. Some of the most common symptoms of depressive episodes of Bipolar Disorder include feeling sad, down or hopeless, feeling worried and empty, a decreased activity level, forgetfulness, difficulties in concentrating, sleeping difficulties, overfeeding as well as constant thoughts of death or suicide.

However, other symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in people with manic episodes include feeling up, high or elated, excessive energy, an increased activity level, sleeping disorders, becoming agitated or irritated, as well as other risky behaviors like spending a lot of money and having reckless sex.

Scientists have tried studying the causes of Bipolar Disorder, but most of them have agreed that there is not a single cause as many factors contribute to the illness or increase the risk. Some of such factors include genetics, family history and having a different brain structure and functioning. Of course, Bipolar can be treated through psychotherapy as well as medications such as mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotics.

A few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of CBD in treating Bipolar Disorder. A federally funded research study neurologically assessed 133 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The patients who participated in this study were subjected to take 100mg of CBD daily over the course of many weeks. During this study, all the 133 participants were reported to have experienced consistent energy levels as well as stable mood levels all through the day. Neurological tests were administered at the end of the study on each of the participants and a remarkable improvement in attention, verbal fluency, executive functioning and logical- memory recall was recorded in each of the participants. The researchers of this study, therefore, concluded that CBD was effective in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

The findings from an animal study also insinuated that CBD was effective in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. It should be noted that this animal study that aimed at investigating the anti-depressive qualities of CBD concluded that CBD reduced the symptoms of depression by influencing cortical serotonin, glutamate levels, and 5-HT1A receptors. The researchers of this study also observed that CBD reduced the symptoms of psychosis and normalized the functions affecting psychiatric patients.

Nonetheless, it is apparent that the studies on CBD and Bipolar Disorder are quite scanty and as such, there is a need for more scientific investigations on the subject.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic
National Institute of Health
Compassionate Certification Center